Big Sur Marathon returns to traditional course after mudslide on Highway 1 last year

CARMEL – From the pandemic to a mudslide taking out a portion of the course last year, the Big Sur Marathon has faced a series of challenges in recent years.

Persevering, though, is what runners and race organizers do. And while the weather gods can be unpredictable, the return of the traditional, bucket list course is back for this year’s 38th running.

Runners will start boarding buses as early as 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 27 as the event has once again sold out, with more than 5,000 runners taking part in the world-renowned event.

“We’re excited to be back from point-to-point,” said Jennifer Edwards, the executive director of the Big Sur Marathon Foundation.

Last year the course was altered for just the third time in its 38th year history after a mudslide took out a portion of Highway 1 near Rocky Creek Bridge, roughly 13 miles from the start of the race.

As a result, the course was altered to where runners were rerouted out and back, with a turn into Point Lobos to make it an official marathon.

“I know all about last year,” said Edwards, who took the job two months ago after spending 15 years in Cape Cod, overseeing the Falmouth Road Race.

Yet, the challenge didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the race, which was won by Simon Ricci of San Francisco in the men’s division, and Peyton Bilo of Rescue in the women’s class.

While repairs of the slip out near Rocky Creek Bridge are still not complete, one lane is fully open, which will enable the race to run from start to finish.

“We’ve worked closely with Caltrans and the CHP to make sure we have a solid plan in place for traffic management and to make sure runners can safely cross,” Edwards said.

The only vehicles that will be allowed on the course until 10:30 a.m. will be convoy vehicles for the runners and emergency services.

While only one lane remains open, the area under construction is roughly at the midpoint of the race, which should alleviate any concerns of foot traffic among the contingent of marathon runners.

“By the time runners are at that point, the race has thinned out,” Edwards said. “Runners should be able to move more freely. We are, though, paying extra attention to the area.”

The majestic event is known all over the world for its scenic beauty along the Pacific Coast, as well as its challenging conditions that include Hurricane Point and the wind gusts.

“We are so lucky to have an iconic seaside course,” Edwards said. “It sold out months ago. It’s on so many peoples’ bucket list. It’s like no other marathon.”

Edwards is familiar with the challenges that come with running an event of this magnitude, as the Falmouth Road Race attracts over 12,000 runners each August to Cape Cod.

“The number of runners isn’t as big,” Edwards said. “But this is more challenging because it is 26.2 miles instead of 7. There’s a lot in between. Cell service can be spotty.”

Edwards is used to weather-related issues, with heat being the biggest factor in overseeing the Falmouth event during the summer in Cape Cod, a little over an hour outside Boston.

Early forecasts are calling for rain on the eve of the marathon, with overcast conditions on race day and temperatures topping out at 58 degrees — ideal for distance runners.

Wind has often been the biggest barrier for runners to get through early in the race, as gusty headwinds often creep up running up Hurricane Point, making a personal best nearly unattainable.

“Weather is always kind of an unknown,” Edwards said. “How is the wind at Hurricane Point? Will it rain? Could we get lightning? I put in a good word with Mother Nature.”

As the event approaches its 40th running, Brad Hawthrone still holds the course record, having clocked two hours, 17 minutes and 30 seconds in 1987, the second year of the event.

Hawthorne won the race six times, including five straight from 1989-1993. Pacific Grove’s Adam Roach has won it five times, the last coming in 2018. He was fifth last year.

The women have seen eight different winners in the past nine years it has been held – no event was held in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic.

While the race is still seeking volunteers near the finish line, all the cross-checking has been done by Edwards’ staff. Having the race return to its normal setting has created an extra dose of adrenaline.

“I know the depth of history and institutional knowledge of this board,” Edwards said. “We are living and breathing the race until the last runner crosses the line.”