Breaking 3:45 at the Big Sur International Marathon
Even splits would be 5:20/km (8:35/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
5:14/km (8:26/mi)
16–20 km
Hurricane Point: 3 km up, usually into a headwind
5:46/km (9:17/mi)
20–35 km
Relentless rollers along the cliffs
5:17/km (8:31/mi)
35–42.2 km
More rollers to Carmel — nothing is free today
5:24/km (8:41/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 26:11 | 26:11 | 5:14/km |
| 10 km | 26:11 | 52:22 | 5:14/km |
| 15 km | 26:11 | 1:18:33 | 5:14/km |
| 20 km | 28:18 | 1:46:51 | 5:46/km |
| Half | 5:48 | 1:52:39 | 5:17/km |
| 25 km | 20:38 | 2:13:17 | 5:17/km |
| 30 km | 26:27 | 2:39:44 | 5:17/km |
| 35 km | 26:27 | 3:06:11 | 5:17/km |
| 40 km | 26:59 | 3:33:09 | 5:24/km |
| Finish | 11:51 | 3:45:00 | 5:24/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.