What is the ultimate dream race? Throw together the Pacific Ocean, cool temperatures, emerald-green mountains, a major California highway without traffic, and you get the Big Sur International Marathon.
Once you’ve experience running on the edge of the western world, you’ll be ruined. This is my favorite race.
This year, 8,667 people signed up for Big Sur in all distances, which include the marathon, 21-miler, 10.6- and 9-milers and a 5K.
Athletes from 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., set foot on Highway 1 along with visitors from 25 countries to test their mettle on the hilly course.
Renowned ultra marathoner and best selling author Dean Karnazes, 49, came back to Big Sur for the seventh time. He gave humorous talks at the race expo on April 28 and signed copies of his latest book, “Run!” Karnazes ran the marathon April 29 – twice. Everyone else rode buses to the start but not Karnazes. He began his run from downtown Monterey.
“I left at 2:30 a.m. It usually takes me between 4:00-4:15 to run from the finish to the start, but this year I had some stomach problems and it took 4:30,” he explained. “I put Big Sur as the top scenic marathon that I’ve run in the world.”
Karnazes finished again with the crowd in 3:42:40.
The two top winners of the race were newcomers to Big Sur. Pacific Grove’s Adam Roach, 28, won the race in 2:32:25. He said, “It was my best race but the course was so hilly, and the wind definitely slowed me down. I wanted to pace myself and make sure I had energy for Hurricane Point and the rolling hills after that. I went out easier than I normally do, and it paid off.”
2004 Olympic marathoner, Nuta Olaru, 41, from Longmont, Colo., won in 2:50:08. She remarked, “This is my favorite because the coast is so nice. I like the cold weather. I’m used to a hilly course because I live in Colorado.”
Mark, 49, and LaRene, 45, Green of Morgan Hill ran the marathon and finished at the same time in 4:11:52.
“This was my third time running the Big Sur Marathon. I love the spectacular scenery. I loved the picturesque views, especially at Bixby Bridge. It was extremely windy and many hills were a big challenge. … The race was well organized,” LaRene said.
Mr. Green added, “I had remembered the road was windy but had forgotten about how hilly it is! So it was a tough marathon, especially with the wind and the hills beyond mile 20. But it was fun nonetheless, and the ocean views along the coast were spectacular.”
Jim Forbis, 39, also from Morgan Hill, ran the marathon in 3:31:32.
For the third year, Boston to Big Sur (B2B) was a success. Runners must run the Boston Marathon and then Big Sur shortly afterwards. First-timer Sean Curry, 44, from Salinas did the B2B and took 5th place in his age division with 3:10:33.
“It was awesome. I never ran it before. It was a wonderful surprise. My time was pretty good. I felt like I did slower at Boston. I wasn’t used to the heat. So this time I made up for it,” Curry said.
In Boston he finished with 3:45:41 during a heat wave.
Betty Ronces of Lafayette, 47, did the B2B as well. She ran 26.2-miles in 4:04:39.
“I loved every minute of it. I find myself thanking God for every mile for the privilege of being in nature. This is the marathon that I’m committed doing for the rest of my life as long as God allows me to be on this earth,” Ronces said.
Felipa Harer, 73, of Gilroy is a 21-miler veteran and finished in 5:34:04.
“I walk more than run. I have arthritis, and my knees bother me. But since I started walking and running, it seems to be better. I am turning 74 this September, so pain seems to go with age. I had planned on this being my last year but my friend says that I have to go again next year, as training for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro on my 75th birthday.”
At the 9-mile run and walk, Morgan Hill’s Stephanie Lynch, 36, finished the scenic course in 1:15:15. Due to long work hours she could only squeeze in a shorter distance. She was glad to run it despite her schedule.
I ran the 10.6-miler in 2:15:36 and can’t wait to beat my time next year.
