Breaking 3:00 at the Big Sur International Marathon
Even splits would be 4:16/km (6:52/mi). But Big Sur International Marathon isn't flat-even — the plan below redistributes the same finish time across the course the way experienced runners actually race it.
How to pace this course
0–16 km
Downhill through the redwoods — save the quads
4:11/km (6:45/mi)
16–20 km
Hurricane Point: 3 km up, usually into a headwind
4:37/km (7:25/mi)
20–35 km
Relentless rollers along the cliffs
4:14/km (6:49/mi)
35–42.2 km
More rollers to Carmel — nothing is free today
4:19/km (6:57/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 20:57 | 20:57 | 4:11/km |
| 10 km | 20:57 | 41:53 | 4:11/km |
| 15 km | 20:57 | 1:02:50 | 4:11/km |
| 20 km | 22:38 | 1:25:28 | 4:37/km |
| Half | 4:39 | 1:30:07 | 4:14/km |
| 25 km | 16:31 | 1:46:38 | 4:14/km |
| 30 km | 21:09 | 2:07:47 | 4:14/km |
| 35 km | 21:09 | 2:28:57 | 4:14/km |
| 40 km | 21:35 | 2:50:32 | 4:19/km |
| Finish | 9:28 | 3:00:00 | 4:19/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.