Breaking 4:30 at the Big Sur International Marathon
Even splits would be 6:24/km (10:18/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
6:17/km (10:07/mi)
16–20 km
Hurricane Point: 3 km up, usually into a headwind
6:55/km (11:08/mi)
20–35 km
Relentless rollers along the cliffs
6:21/km (10:13/mi)
35–42.2 km
More rollers to Carmel — nothing is free today
6:28/km (10:25/mi)
Split table
| Checkpoint | Split | Elapsed | Pace at this point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 km | 31:25 | 31:25 | 6:17/km |
| 10 km | 31:25 | 1:02:50 | 6:17/km |
| 15 km | 31:25 | 1:34:15 | 6:17/km |
| 20 km | 33:57 | 2:08:13 | 6:55/km |
| Half | 6:58 | 2:15:11 | 6:21/km |
| 25 km | 24:46 | 2:39:57 | 6:21/km |
| 30 km | 31:44 | 3:11:41 | 6:21/km |
| 35 km | 31:44 | 3:43:25 | 6:21/km |
| 40 km | 32:22 | 4:15:47 | 6:28/km |
| Finish | 14:13 | 4:30:00 | 6:28/km |
Print this table or write the elapsed times on your arm — GPS pace is least reliable exactly when you need it most.