Breaking 3:05 at the Big Sur International Marathon
Even splits would be 4:23/km (7:03/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
4:18/km (6:56/mi)
16–20 km
Hurricane Point: 3 km up, usually into a headwind
4:44/km (7:38/mi)
20–35 km
Relentless rollers along the cliffs
4:21/km (7:00/mi)
35–42.2 km
More rollers to Carmel — nothing is free today
4:26/km (7:08/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 21:32 | 21:32 | 4:18/km |
| 10 km | 21:32 | 43:03 | 4:18/km |
| 15 km | 21:32 | 1:04:35 | 4:18/km |
| 20 km | 23:16 | 1:27:51 | 4:44/km |
| Half | 4:46 | 1:32:37 | 4:21/km |
| 25 km | 16:58 | 1:49:36 | 4:21/km |
| 30 km | 21:45 | 2:11:20 | 4:21/km |
| 35 km | 21:45 | 2:33:05 | 4:21/km |
| 40 km | 22:11 | 2:55:16 | 4:26/km |
| Finish | 9:44 | 3:05:00 | 4:26/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.