I've run over 20 half marathons and this one takes the lead as one of my all time favorites! 1. Fantastic staff and awesome volunteers. This race was so well organized! 2. Great runner swag and a really cool, unique medal! 3. The course was BEAUTIFUL. I can't emphasis it enough. B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. It hugs the coast for almost the entire course and you just have gorgeous views of the water and scenery, not to mention doing a little house browsing 4. Small, but mighty expo If you get the opportunity, run this race! read more

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I could give a hundred stars if I could. Most beautiful half I ever did. Mile 1 and a half were pretty much in downtown Monterey and slowly we hit the shore in mile 2. Mile 3 was a quiet mile because the seals were still sleeping it was so cute. Past the Lovers point, Esplanade park where we were cheered by bagpipes!! It was a truly beautiful experience! There was also a cheer squad and tons of locals who just sat in front of their house in camping chairs cheering strangers! I love the crowd energy and can't wait to do this again read more

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While the marathon itself is perfect, do not buy the refundable ticket. My father in law has been diagnosed with cancer and my husband traveled to be with him. I had booked a refundable ticket so I requested for a refund stating I do not have childcare to practice for or attend the half marathon because of these circumstances. They refused my refund stating - Our terms state that "you are responsible for making all arrangements to attend your booking, including finding a caretaker or babysitter." No point wasting extra money on refundable ticket. read more

I was signed up for the run-walk as a breast cancer survivor last year, which is part of the same organization. 2 things make me give this a bad review: 1. They replaced Fitz (@fitzness), who is a survivor who has been calling out the races for ages, for seemingly no reason. She was the reason a bunch of us had signed up! Apparently there is some new management. 2. Their transfer policy is very very hidden. I had to back out because an amazing opportunity came up for me (World Championship Ultimate tournament!). I did not realize I was ONE DAY past the transfer deadline when someone finally agreed to take my spot (with me paying the transfer fee), which was still several weeks before the run/walk. When I realized this, I quickly sent off a polite email and was told no because "then we would have to let everyone do it". I didn't think this was a big ask or that common a request - they could have chosen to be gracious instead of depriving another breast cancer survivor a chance to be with her support group and walk with them. They would have even made a bit more money off us from the transfer fee! While they are within their rights, I prefer people to be more reasonable, and most people are. I'm sure the run/walk is fun, but I'm pretty miffed by the new management and would not choose to support them. read more

This was my 5th half marathon and it was practically perfect in every way! They are extremely well organized from start to finish and a little organization goes a long way in my book. I was actually signed up for the 2018 race, which was canceled due to the devastating Camp Fire and resulting hazardous air quality. At the time, I was so impressed with their thoughtful decisions and quick and clear communication. I was also happy with the options for those of us who were registered. The options they presented ranged from registration deferment up to a few years out or donating to a number of causes, including to the Camp Fire victims. To me, all of this was above and beyond, especially since they were under no obligation to do so considering the cancelation was beyond their control. After consulting with my friend who I signed up with, we opted for deferment and made separate donations to Camp Fire. Fast forward a year, I was excited to actually run this half and, don't get me wrong, there are worse places for a race-cation. Again, this event is so well organized -- from the expo to the actual race to the post-race fun. On top of that, their race shirts and medals are some of my all-time favorites. I also didn't realize how much entertainment we would encounter along my journey, including tunnel light show, DJs, bagpipers, drummers, bands AND a t-rex. Pretty sure this won't be my last Monterey Half. read more

I would sign up to do this half marathon over and over again! The views are amazing, the course is absolutely doable for the novice runner, the support from the hydration/nutrition aids and crowd are awesome, and the whole vibe of the race is positive altogether. This particular race was very special to me because I ran it with my twelve year old son who was running it for the first time. I wanted to snap pictures of us along the course, but as expected, he dusted me. I felt safe even though my son ran well past ahead of me, and I was at ease knowing that he will be secure at the finish line waiting for me. Loved the expo and how the process ran very smoothly at the bib pick up. However, I did not love the fact that parking was lacking. Loved how we did not wait a long time for the shuttle to transport us back and forth. Loved the snacks that we received at the end of the race (will be purchasing the KIND Cranberry Almond with Macadamia Nuts!). Two thumbs up for this race! read more

I had myself a little race-cation or run-cation, whatever you want to call it. Despite the name, this half marathon actually takes place in Monterey and Pacific Grove. This is a great destination race; very scenic, dare I saw more so than the two SF runs (Nike & RnR) I participated in? You got the view of the crashing waves, Cannery Row, and the aquarium where we were met with a staff member who donned a huge octopus head piece and a couple others as jellyfish. I loved the mile markers. Some of them were funny with bubble quotes and most represented that particular area we were running in. Besides the water and Gatorade (lemon-lime) stations, there was actually more than one station for Gu and salted caramel was one of the flavors too. It's my fave. That morning, I took the shuttle to the start line from the north side of the Del Monte shopping center. They have another shuttle location at the college. It was perfect running weather although my face got exposed to the sun when it did come out for a little bit as I chose to run without a hat and shades. The course is a good one to PR in if you don't stop to take any photos like I did. I do remember a short uphill towards the end. One thing I noticed was this race had more music on the course than a Rock 'n' Roll marathon (provided that I've only done halves). Chariots of Fire and Eye of the Tiger were played, probably on repeat and there were taiko drummers. The course ends near Fisherman's Wharf. Unfortunately they don't give you bottled water so I had to gulp down a couple cups of water but there were more cups further down the ways. The finisher's medal, or I should say medallion, is actually made of ceramic with an adorable otter on it with a leather strap. It makes for a very unique one in my collection of medals. For post-run refreshments, runners get minestrone soup but I seemed to have missed that tent but Dole provided a small can of juice, fresh fruit such as apples, bananas, grapes, and strawberries. We also got some beef jerky, chocolate milk, and I saw others who got a small bag of chips. I would definitely love to come back and do this run again but maybe in a few years. (This took place the same day as the Avengers half at Disneyland and Rock n Roll Las Vegas.) read more

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My 700th review is dedicated to Clyde R. In addition to completing his first half marathon Clyde was very generous with his time in meeting up with me on the day prior to the race to drive me around to see some of the highlights in Carmel, Pacific Grove and the Monterey area pointing out favorite places along the way. The Big Sur Half Marathon was exactly like advertised with excellent organization, a great course and some of the most amazing scenery I've ever witnessed in a half marathon. Among all the races I've been lucky enough to participate in I rank this one very high on the list of most scenic right up there with the Grand Canyon International Marathon (2002) and the Lake Tahoe Marathon (2001). The weather was absolutely perfect on race morning. The air was cold and crisp, but the winds were very light. I arrived at the race site fairly early and did some long series of stretches and warm-ups along the Municipal Wharf. Clyde and I talked about finding one another to bump fists before the run, but within the thousands of runners that task was nearly impossible. I settled into my corral way back with the slower runners and just enjoyed the moment conversing with fellow participants one moment and lost in deep thought at another. Monterey will always be a military town, and after showing our love for our service people stationed throughout the world we stood back to a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. I was quite surprised that each and every corral in this race has its own start. In terms of keeping the course less congested the method works, but if you were planning on catching up with another runner in a corral ahead of you that would prove more difficult. Since everybody is timed based on the chip attached to your shoe the where and when wasn't a big factor. I experienced some tightness near my left shin early on but the high energy level from other participants kept me going. The pain disappeared as I settled into a comfortable pace after mile three. I had slowed to take a quick walk break coming out of the tunnel on the incline and the long stretch I did alleviated most of the pain. Occasional course entertainment and water stops roughly stationed every two miles helped give me a boost every so often. There is one major hill as you approach Pacific Grove and make the climb up to Lighthouse Avenue, but once past that the course was the perfect blend of rolling ups and downs. We went up as far as Asilomar before turning around for the final 5.6 miles. The sights and sounds of big waves crashing along the coast were absolutely stunning, and I seemed to pick up more energy once I had wound back onto the familiar paved Monterey Coastal Trail which I had walked along every day since my arrival. It was an excellent race with a beautiful ceramic finishers' medallion (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/rzNSy_b9ya_IflEV8C0_-w?select=-bz6B_WUq1LDTKiboAqWfw) at the end and lots of delicious refreshments to help me reinvigorate. Fresh fruit, oatmeal cookies and bagels, hot minestrone soup and even cold beer were offered. I did some long stretches underneath the warming sunlight and the hot soup was just what I needed. Big Sur Half Marathon - I will return for this is now one of my favorite half marathons around! read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon - 2009 Finishers' Medallion - Races & Competitions Near Me

This is a pilgrimage-worthy half marathon in my estimation. Rain or shine, this is an awesome event that winds its way through historic Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, Pacific Grove and Asilomar State Beach. As you make your way through the course, you will find several live bands and performers, a bagpiper as you traverse the Lighthouse tunnel, a pianist, military personnel and many enthusiastic race supporters and spectators. This is a relatively flat course with a few gentle rolling hills. The picturesque out-and-back course skirts miles of beautiful beaches, numerous downtown restaurants and businesses, and historic Monterey County landmarks. The Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM) pulled put all the stops and then some. Information and updates, which came in via Facebook and emails, were delivered every step of the way. Questions were fielded and answered everyday. The Expo and Packet Pick-Up at the Monterey Convention Center was very organized with so many great staffers ready to assist and answer any questions. Numerous vendors and guest speakers to provide the latest info and developments in the running world. The tech shirt swag is my favorite participant shirt so far and the handmade ceramic finisher's medallion is a beautiful keepsake. Parking is available at the Custom House Parking Structure and the structure adjacent to the Monterey Sports Center. There is a free shuttle service available at 2 locations, Del Monte Shopping Center and Monterey Peninsula College, from 5:00 - 6:30 a.m. The wave-start corrals, which release corrals every 3-minutes, were so helpful with crowd flow and keeping runners from bunching up. The pacers were helpful too. There were aid stations with Gatorade, water and vasoline every 2 miles Gu energy gel is available at the 8-mile station. Food tent with hot minestrone soup, cold beer, bagels, fresh-baked cookies and goodie bags full of fruit, fruit juice and snacks await you at the finish. No long lines and I love the "green" promotion and environmentally responsible practices, including going 100% paperless, the use of compostable cups, composting food waste, encouraging no water bottles (BYOB), using virtual goody bag coupons, education through green demos and a great recycling program. BSIM is such a well thought out, personally enriching event, where runners of all skills levels come together to enjoy a day of race. This is a half-marathon bucket-lister for sure. read more

AMAAAAAZING HALF MARATHON in Monterey/Pacific Grove!!! If you are going to run just one Half Marathon (13.1 mile race), then this is the one you should run! Also, frequent race-goers who may not have experienced this one also need to run it! This Half is so beautiful as most of it is along the coast, and there are many rooting spectators along the course, various bands playing live music, as well as a bagpiper and a little chariots of fire music I remember hearing over my ipod mix.... somewhere along the way. There were various cheerleading squads along the way, as well as a guy with a sign saying, "I JUST FARTED, RUN FASTER".... haha! Also, a woman sang the National Anthem just before the start of the race which was pretty cool & motivational. The course is fairly flat with only a few rolling hills which is very nice when you're trying to beat your personal record. There was over 9000 runners I believe this past Sunday, 11/18/12; however, the course never got too crowded. Here is why: When you register you indicate your expected finish time, and based on this, they assign you to a lettered corral. At the start line, the first group (corral A) runs first, then 3 minutes later corral B goes, and on and on... every 3 minutes. I think there was about 9 corrals total. I was in the 2nd group, corral B. This spreads out the runners to alleviate the sardine-like-effect experienced at many other large Half Marathons. I just ran this Half Marathon on Sunday 11/18/12, and I crushed my previous record by 13 minutes with my final time of 1:40:51 (a 7min-41sec per mile pace). It has been several days and I am still effing thrilled!!! I don't think I have stopped smiling since I crossed the finish line...lol. I am not much of a runner, so in the past I had a hard time settling on a pace, as I did not want to overdue it too early and fade. However, at this race, there were "pacesetter runners"! What are they you ask? They were guys who ran holding a stick with 3 balloons on it, with their ave. pace indicated. My goal was to run it in 1hr-45min, so I found the 1hr-40 min pacesetter guy at the beginning of the race and made the mental decision that I was NOT going to allow him to get very far in front of me. So, I did not have to worry about my pace, I just chased the 1:40 pacesetter (and actually was out in front of him slightly for a good part of the race). It worked! THANK YOU 1:40 PACESETTER GUY!!! :) It's amazing what your body can do when you just make up your mind to do something! Parking was easy, as they had several offsite lots, with shuttles to and from the race. There was plenty of food and drinks afterwards! I just loooooove this course! Who wants to run it with me next year? read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon - Beautiful! - Races & Competitions Near Me

Four months ago, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into, having just registered for a race that I knew would require a training schedule and a hard dose of self-discipline. Little did I know how much sacrifice I would have to make in preparing to run 13.1 miles. Running hungover might be the closest thing to death, and I came to the realization that getting wasted was no longer an option. Staying out late dwindled, as I found myself having to awake early for a 6 a.m. run (on a weekend, no less) to keep on schedule. I voluntarily changed my work schedule to come in an hour and a half earlier, allowing me to leave early so I was able to fit in a run while it was still light out. The night owl in me suddenly turned into an early bird. And while it all sounded like self-punishment, I came to enjoy every minute of it. It all pays off once you're treated to views of the deep blue Pacific (though, oyster scented) coastline. With only one minor hill, the relatively flat course winds through downtown Monterey, through Cannery Row, out to the bedroom community of Pacific Grove along Asilomar Beach and back. With ocean scenery, an easy course, and cool temps, I can't think of a better first half to conquer. The organization of the event was excellent. Water and aid stations did not turn into mass chaos, but instead, worked like clockwork. Military personnel called out times each mile, helpful in keeping track of pace. Musical groups and locals spread out along the course to show their support can only help to boost ones morale. And as always, there's no better motivator to get you to the finish line faster knowing there's free beer at the end. read more

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JUST KEEP ON RUNNING Finally. We. Run. BigSur. Waited years to run this race and get this medal :) THE EXPO. Spent more than I had anticipated! Usually avoid expos because they are SO crowded but the way this expo was organized gave the runner time to go into the expo and buy stuff. Energy GUs, jelly beans, gel blocks, etc are discounted. There was an awesome booth where I bought sleeves with a cute runner design logo. Spend spend spend THE RUN. I've ran several 13.1 races and will say Big Sur 1/2 Marathon was one of the more beautiful ones. I absolutely love running by the water, it makes you forget the pain in your feet and legs. HA! The course has one big hill and several small rolling hills, didn't expect that and will train for it better next time. Thy are strict with corral line ups, can't go into earlier corrals before your assigned corral but you can go to any corral behind your assigned corral. Corral E as I thought would be a less crowded one...LIES... It was the biggest corral (something I try to avoid and how ironic to get stuck in it). The course was easy but there are times the path ways were narrow and it was annoying to weave through the crowds. Loved the spectators, music, and cheer stations throughout the course - made everything a lot more fun. Best part was running past the Monterey Aquarium and the staff with fake gigantic octopus and jelly fish costumes (made me hella laugh and smile) AND the drummers. OMG the drummers were amazing. Ok, shout out to the DJ playing YMCA... Helped me push through mile 12 dancing to it. The part I didn't like was the smell running through the cannery... Smelt like dead fish but it made me run faster. THE AFTER MATH. Probably one of the most organized event I ran. Id say I like the less crowded races because it doesn't feel like a cluster f*. The food is better than many races, you get a lot of goodies.. Including WARM SOUP. Getting your bag check was so easy and very very very organized. I might have to say this close to my favorite race. If my favorite race didn't cross the Golden Gate Bridge then this race would no doubt be #1. Will be running this race every year moving forward!!! JABA APPROVED. Until the next review... read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon - Ensemble. #ConcreteRunners - Races & Competitions Near Me

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My first time running the big sur half marathon and definitely was a great experience. I highly recommend runners to participate because the views and scenery were spectacular, race was very well organized and the weather was perfect. (50 degree weather). My goal was to run under 2 hours and my time came in at 1:52 although my nike + app clocked me in at 1:49. Course had a few rolling hills but did not bother me a bit. Hercules has a abundance of hills and training around my neighborhood and strength training definitely helped a lot. I did have a concern though about the organization not allowing portable audio devices and I cannot see myself running without my music. I did ask one of the race organizers at the expo and they say it's acceptable however they do not recommend it. As for hotel accommodations, I stayed at the Colton Inn which was a easy peasy 15 min walk. We left our hotel around 6:40am and arrived at my corral just in time and didn't have to wait too long until it was my turn to run. Overall, awesome experience and highly recommend! read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon - About .25 away from the finish line - Races & Competitions Near Me

Best half marathon I have ever done! This is the "destination" half marathon to do in the US if you have th etime. It is so well run and organized, never a long wait for pota-potties, and has the best scenary ever. The expo was well organized, and I was able to exchange my T-shirt for a different size easily without a long wait. There was your typical vendors selling pre-race accessories and gels, etc. We parked at the community college lot and within 5 minutes a shuttle bus came to drive us to the race start. Once at the race start, there is a convenient McDonald's that a lot of runners were gathering in to stay warm (its was 40s in the morning). There are also a plethora of porta-potties by the starting line and they were really clean! As the race progressed, you are treated to amazing views of the Pacific ocean on your right as you start the trail. The sun will be coming up and in your face so I highly recommend a hat or sunglasses. Around the turnaround, the ocean will be to your left on the way back. You got your medal almost as soon as you cross the finish line. There was plenty of post-race food and snacks for everyone. One complaint was the Michelob beer line was INSANELY lone and I didn't want to wait in that line. However, I was able to get some good bean soup that the volunteers were serving next to the beer line. The volunteers in this race are awesome and to be commended for their time and effort. After the race was done, they directed us to the shuttle bus area where there were plenty of buses waiting to take the runners back to the parking lots. Although I didn't set a PR due to pacing a friend running a half marathon for the first time, this was the most enjoyable race I've gone on and I can't wait to come back here again! read more

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I had an AMAZING time running the Big Sur Half Marathon, and I hope to run it every year from now on! This race is incredibly beautiful with gentle rolling hills, running through the lighthouse tunnel with the bagpiper playing, the waves of Pacific Grove crashing in the background, and running through cannery row. This race is very well organized and not overbooked thank god. I ran the Las Vegas Rock n Roll two weeks later, which was completely flat, but a total cluster f- the entire way. I ended up making a personal PR here although the course was not as flat as I had thought, but there was thinning out versus being jam packed with people the entire way. The "gentle" rolling hills do wear you down after 13.1 miles of it, so I would be sure to incorporate more strength and/or a bit of hill training next time. I also want to mention that although it's an out and back, the turnaround point is not at 6 1/2 miles, it's at 8 1/4, which felt like FOREVER before being able to turnaround. So just prepare yourself for that mentally. Team in Training always taught me to be self sufficient, so I always bring my own fuel/water belt, but there were plenty of aid stations along the way and Gu available. There were also lots of photographers at the start, throughout the race and at the finish, so I was happy that there were so many pictures to capture this special day. As far as the weather reports, it was supposed to rain all morning, but we got lucky and it didn't rain until towards the end. At 55 degrees, I was fine with a long sleeve tech shirt and capris, but after getting warmed up I realized I would have been fine with shorts, tank and sleeves for the beginning when it's cold. It's always just super cold and freezing when you get there early and wait to start. So I erred on the side of caution. For hotel, I got a deal through Hotwire, and stayed at the Intercontinental a few miles away. I reserved a taxi the night before, and it only took about 5 -10 minutes to get dropped off at Pacific/Del Monte, which costed about $10. From there, it's a short walk past Starbucks and to the starting line :) It is less worry and more convenient staying at the host hotel. I might try to do that instead next year so I could easily walk to the start and back. That way your friends/family that come with you don't have to worry about parking as well. Parking was not fun for my boyfriend meeting me at the finish. I can't wait to run it again next year! read more

Crazy beautiful view!!!! Just so beautiful!! I forgot about rolling hills while my eyes were busy capturing the foggy views which looked more like a smoke streaming out of the rocks & sand. The drumming was incredible. I wanted to stop & listen but you know, you gotta keep running... The medal was as beautiful as the race. Even if you are not a runner, you will enjoy it because it feels differed than driving down the same route which I did after the race. Must do race. It was sold out last year so I signed up early for this year. If you are looking for a race to enjoy, sign up for this! The tech shirt was nice too. read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon - 11.14.10 - Races & Competitions Near Me

I ran my first half-marathon last Sunday, the Big Sur Half-Marathon, and it was a great experience. The course is phenomenal, a 13.1 mile winding, fairly-level course that starts nears the Monterey Wharf and leads through Dennis the Menace Park, Downtown Monterey, Cannery Row, Downtown Pacific Grove, to Asilomar and back. More than half the course hugs the Monterey coastline and offers dramatic, sweeping views of the ocean and its surroundings. I don't remember too much about the views, though. I do remember the relentless sound of the waves pounding on the rocks and the cool feel of ocean spray on my face. When I run I slip into my own little world, and cut out a lot of what's around me. It's almost a meditative experience for me. I enjoy it. I love running. I feel alive when I run. I've been known to run myself into the ground on occasion. Overdoing it and getting hurt in the process. But, I'd rather burn-out than fizzle out. I'd rather go out with a bang than with a whimper. When I go, there's not going to be too much gas left in the tanks.... We also run to honor and remember people near to us, as a small tribute to them to repay them for inspiring us along the way. I ran the Half wearing my dad's wedding band as a small tribute to him, feeling him with me every mile, every yard, every inch that I ran. As odd as it is to say, running the Big Sur Half Marathon was more than just a race, but a way to live life more fully, to honor our loved ones now gone, and to strive for a purpose that kind of lingers on the tips of our tongues that we feel but can't express. Life is all about feeling fully alive, about being inspired. Running is a great way to feel alive, to challenge ourselves physically and mentally. Rising to meet each challenge in our lives brings rewards and satisfaction. Come on, Yelpers, let's run the Big Sur Half next year in November and celebrate after the run. The area has some of the finest restaurants to be found. I promise you, you'll enjoy and remember these good times with me for a long time to come. read more

13.1 miles... I'm only half crazy!! :P I just ran my second half marathon and my first Big Sur Half Marathon yesterday in Monterey!!!! It was really fantastic! The weather was perfect in the morning and I'm SO glad it didn't rain during the race, but later in the afternoon!! I had signed up in April (http://www.bigsurhalfmarathon.org/Event_Information/Half_Marathon.htm) and totally forgot about it until last week! haha I frantically looked through my email to see if there was any email confirmation. Luckily, I went to the site and was able to find my bib #! I attended the Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday afternoon at the Monterey Conference Center (free and open to the public and located next to Portola Hotel & Spa) and gave them my bib #. I got my bib, went into another room to pick up my race packet and nice long-sleeved race shirt!! The expo was quite small... not much freebies. I probably only spent 20 mins in there sampling nuun drinks and looking at a few clothing vendors and other marathons! They had lots of water stations nearby so you could refill your water bottle or paper cup and each waste/compost area had a volunteer telling you where your trash should go! Parking on race day: free parking until 11am in the Custom House Garages in downtown on Franklin btwn Washington & Alvarado (must arrive before 5:30am or after 9am). There's also free race parking and shuttles at the Monterey Peninsula College and Del Monte Center (5am-6:15am every 10mins/ return shuttle 8:30am-12pm)! Be careful if you park on the street, many meters and surface lots charge on Sunday and have a limited parking time. Race day: the sun was out and it was a bit chilly, but as soon as I ran the first mile all I wanted to do was take off my long-sleeve pullover! Glad I had layered and had a tank top underneath! (I heard a lot of ppl complaining how hot it was and how they wished they wore a tank top instead). The race started at 6:55am and in intervals of every 3 mins would allow the next corral to go (A, B, C...). There were treadmill pacers there which was really great! Water/gatorade stations at every 2 miles. Street performers and entertainers! A lot of great energy! Running along the coast of Monterey & Pacific Grove, the views were absolutely gorgeous! It made the running part less boring! :) The 13.1 miles was relatively flat with a few gradual inclines, but nothing like those hills in SF! :P Post race: When you cross that finish line, you get the best medallion ever! A ceramic finisher's medallion created by artist Kathleen Kelly!! As you walk through to the end there's a water/gatorade station, then a snack tent with boxes of snacks: bananas, apples, dole pineapple juice, raspberries, and cookies! I devoured my ginger cookie! Wished we were allowed to have more than one! haha There was also another tent passing out hot minestrone soup and a bigger tent serving cold Michelob beer! The aid station had lots of ice in ziploc bags! There was a recovery area with massage beds and runner sticks to massage your muscles with! I highly recommend signing up for it next year and tell your friends to come join too!! More the merrier! TIPS: - sign up for the run! - train with friends (http://www.medhelp.org/healthy-living/articles/From-Couch-to-131-How-to-Run-a-Half-Marathon/963) - this race is in monterey, not big sur - don't forget your bib# (you'll need it when picking up your packet) - wear tank top & shorts on race day - stay hydrated! - enjoy the views during the race and have fun! #cecerunsforicecream read more

Rebranded this year as the Monterey Bay Half to avoid confusion -- it's run by the non-profit BSIM Events that also holds the Big Sur International Marathon -- I've now run this particular race three times, and have run 28 half marathons overall on 18 different courses. As it's exceedingly well-organized and stunningly scenic, it remains my favorite. read more

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My favorite race to date! The race is incredibly well orgniazed with great communication and informative web site, I really liked the facebook fan page which provided ongoing updates. This race is TRULY green, I know some races claim to be green (like the SF marathon) but this really is. There was NO bottled water, all water served in compostable cups, "virtual" goody bags (instead of all those flyers you just throw away) and volunteers at every trash can to sort items into compostable and recyclable bins. I was really impressed. The views are breathtaking along the way, for this reason alone I plan to run this race every year from now on. I do NOT recommend wearing headphones, you want to fully experience running along the coast and hearing the crashing waves. The course is amazing and relatively flat with just some rolling hills. Every mile was marked and there were plenty of water stops and porta potties along the way. There was military guards along the course and medical personnel available. At finish, there was plenty of refreshments (bagels, fruit, water, muffins, soup) and official scores were posted almost immediately. The race starts early so stay the night and make a weekend of it. We came in on Friday and ran the "Run Forest Run" 5k the day before and went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Can't wait to do it all again next year! read more

Everytime I get a bib, I write I am allergic to running. Theory being if I pass out on the course, at least the EMTs will get a good laugh. A runner, I am not. So take this review with a grain of salt. After running the Wharf to Wharf with Daphne B. in July, I got the crazy urge to sign up to run a half marathon. This was a GREAT race to start with.This is a BEAUTIFUL course and super flat--a great race for a first time runner. It's all on pavement which, as I've gotten more into running, am not suuper crazy about. It was a-ok but not forgiving on the knees. See my newfound love of trail running in my Lake Chabot review :) A good 1/2 of the race is along the Monterey coastline. The golfers at pebble beach stared at us like we were crazies. I enjoyed the sounds of the drummers with the ocean surf and watching 70 year olds pass me left and right. I really enjoyed the process of training for this race--it pushed me mentally and physically. And now that it's done for a little while I have some time to yelp again finally! If anyone's looking for a new years resolution, I just signed up for the Oakland Half-- come train with me! read more

Dear race organizers. How could you run out of finisher medals before the majority of the runners/walkers finished the course? Could you not plan for this knowing how many people were registered? And wtf is this...tearing down the course before everyone is done? How disheartening is it to be crossing the finish line while dodging people rolling up banners and barricade nets? This isn't your first time doing this, you should know better. read more

In my hometown, I ran this for the first time 2013. I now plan on doing this race every year i can-physically and financially. Yes, it's a bit pricey, over $100. But this 13.1 is done with the pomp & circumstance of a FULL marathon!!! The shirts are always high quality, long-sleeved. This year's teal shirt matches my running shoes! ;) the medals are a new design every year....done with an artisan flare that represents Big Sur's long-standing artist community and coastal locale~perfectly. The race is run efficiently, promptly, and with a lot of support from the community. The Defense Language Institute for military folks here in Monterey means you'll see them in the race, as well as volunteering. Live musicians played at least three spots... The Asian drummers were my fave. I remember passing at least three volunteer cheerleader squads. There were waaaaay more aid stations than I could ever need in 13.1 miles. It's a mixture of water stations, Gu stations and Gatorade (aside from your usual First Aid & porta-pottys). Spilling Gatorade down my arm when I thought I was grabbing for water was my only Ick-moment. The ugliest part of the course is the dash through Monterey's traffic tunnel.... It didn't smell the greatest but its definitely a good-different hearing voices echoing off those walls instead of idiot tourists honking car horns!!! (For those of you coming in from out of town, Please Stop that stupid habit. It's a tunnel! Oh boy! But unless your 5yr old kid's harassing you to honk the horn, do us all a favor and Leave your noise pollution at home!!!) but I digress The course begins by the Municipal Wharf/Lake El Estero Park... It's a short loop around El Estero then through a bit of Old Town Monterey. After the tunnel, the race heads towards Pacific Grove. There's not a lot of elevation *until* heading out the tunnel. It's not super steep by any means. The only spot that comes close to "steep" would be the left turn (for about a block) after running Historic Cannery Row. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is turning 30 this year....they *always* have volunteers to cheer the racers on!! This year, there were giant jellies (stuffed animals or wind socks, I forget which) being held up by the Aquarium volunteers.... Maybe for 2014, they'll honor their newest exhibit on Tentacles!?!?? Once past the uphill after the Aquarium, it's an easy coastal road run. Lovers Point and Point Piños lead you to Asilomar Beach for another slight uphill before turning around. Yes, you go back basically the same way you came in. Making it a loop would probably make this race a nightmare for we residents because that would mean closing multiple, higher-usage roads... Enjoy the coast. and the wind typically goes *with* you, helping push you to the finish line from Point Piños ~~~~all the way to the end and you're still staring at the Pacific Ocean almost the entire way! It does take another left turn back down Cannery Row and what goes down..... must come The last mile is a gradual UPhill. Hopefully, the beauty of the last beach you pass, San Carlos Beach, takes your mind off any possible pain! The Finish Line has you cross into the Customs House Plaza area just, just past Fisherman's Wharf (the touristy wharf) where the restaurants are so-so, at best. Most of the restaurants along Alvarado street & Cannery Row are good for post-race refueling! (Lots of good pubs if you're like mii and wanna recover in style!) ;) ;) ;) the bulldog on Lighthouse....Tell em I sent you (and they'll likely charge you double! kidding o course) ;) ;) ;) I steer clear of Peter B's closest to the finish line. They deep fry everything in the same oil---I had an ALLERGIC REACTION Instantly to French Fries fried in the same oil as seafood. Management brushed it off saying "everyone does it that way." No. No, they do not...and I find your lack of concern disturbing. Hospitality is what we're (supposed to be) all about here in Monterey.... I even completely *spaced out* picking up my race packet the day before! No problem---the race coordinators have Same-Day race packet pickup. Within 3min. of realizing I didn't have my bib, I had my bib....and 7 more minutes to stretch, warm-up, and find my starting corral! As I said earlier, I plan on running this race as long as my body and finances hold up!!!! ;) ;) ;) Message mii if you're looking for a yelper's take on her own hometown. I'll tell you how things *really* are at any of the places you're considering on your travels near my home!!! 272 days til race day 2014! Sign ups April 1st at 7am read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon - Beautiful course from start to finish - Races & Competitions Near Me

THE BSIM folks run a fantastic event. These people know how to organize a race and the location can't be beat. COURSE: Beginning in downtown Monterey and running along the coast, turning around right before Pebble Beach (don't be fooled by the name - the Big Sur Marathon is the one that is along highway 1. This is a different course). It's an out-and-back route which some people don't care for but I'd encourage you to do it anyway because you run right along the coast the whole time. You stay cool with the ocean breezes. ON COURSE SUPPORT: Well-spaced water stops and gel stations. They also give out vaseline in case you are having a chafing situation. Gun time and paces are called at each mile marker. I was surprised that there weren't more people on the sidelines but maybe Monterey likes to sleep in. :) POST-RACE FOOD: The food at the end is fantastic. Hot burritos wrapped in aluminum foil - perfect! In addition to the loads of food for the runners at the end, there's a big food court right outside so you can continue to eat while you meet up with your "supporters." LOGISTICS: Parking garage right next to the start opens early. Road closures posted well in advance. You need to pick up your race packet the day before at the expo. read more

This is, hands down, my favorite race. I highly recommend it to any runner especially one looking for a destination race! First of all, the weather is ideal and perfect to try to set a PR. The temps were in the 40s to start, but quickly warmed up to the 50s as the race went on. I definitely recommend wearing shorts and maybe even just a tee shirt. I'm from the Midwest so it was hot enough for me to wear shorts and a tee shirt. I started out with arm warmers, but took them off since it got hot. The best thing about the race is the course. You literally are running along the ocean for a good majority of the race. You also get to run through Cannery Row, which is a big tourist attraction in the area so that is nice. The course is also pretty flat with the exception of some rolling hills, but nothing too steep. The volunteers are great and there is also live entertainment along the course. I recommend not wearing your headphones so you can enjoy the sites and sounds of the course. I like their initiative to be green and they have an area where you can have your water bottle refilled. The race is super organized with corrals that go off every three minutes. The communication I received prior to the race was good and I liked how they sent you an online goodie bag with coupons so you didn't have all that paper in your bag that you get at the expo. The only downsides are that there aren't any clocks along the course so you have to keep track of your own time. Also, with regard to the corrals, I would have liked to have one in between 1:50 and 2:00, but I can see why they didn't have one since the race was capped out at 9,000 runners, which is manageable. It was never too crowded. Great race and a must do for any runner! read more

"Running on the edge of the Western World" Best scenery & very well organized. Add this race to your bucket list! read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon - 2013 medal - Races & Competitions Near Me

I love this half marathon! After participating in the Big Sur International Marathon and the Half Marathon this year, I know that these race directors know how to put on a good race! I'm so glad that people didn't do the rain dance since rain was in the forecast in the morning of the race. It rained after we finished the race. WooHoo! Course: Beautiful out and back course. I loved running through Cannery Row and Pacific Grove. We had the ocean view for 75% of the race. The course is relatively flat with a slight incline around the Monterey Bay Aquarium area. Since the race had less than 8000 people, the street and paved roads were not crowded. Also, it helped that there was a 3 minute delay for each corral at the start line. In addition, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get your picture taken. The photographers were everywhere! Communication: We received a lot of communication via email and Facebook. Everything was super organized. Expo: It was in the Monterey Convention Center, so it was easy to get to. Plenty of street parking or in the garage. The expo was nice due to the layout. One room was for bib pick up, and the second room was with the vendors and shirt pickup. I picked up a 2011 BSIM shirt for $5! I love the Asics shirts! Race Day Parking: You could park either at the Custom Garages which are near the convention center. Otherwise, you could park at the Monterey Peninsula College and take a bus to the start area. We opt for the bus to not fight the traffic. We were able to get a return ride back to the college. Water Station/Volunteers: Plenty of stations available every 2-3 miles. We received Gu in mile 8. The volunteers were great! After Race Expo: There wasn't much except to get your bagged post-race snacks, free beer, and minestrone soup. Swag: I love our Asics long sleeve technical shirts and the finisher's medal! Price: I paid $95 ($98 with processing fee), so this was the most expensive half marathon that I've done. You get what you paid for with the swag and the course. read more

This is the best half marathon EVER! After my ex and I broke up, I took my lonesome ass to one of the most beautiful places in California and ran all 13.1 miles of this event to de-stress. I was already registered, of course, but I wasn't going to back down because of a minor glitch in the personal life. This ass was trained and ready to go! The course was beautiful; the crowd was supportive and the post-event food included burritos and beer! The technical tee is also highly functional and attractive; I still use it! read more

Out of the two half marathons I have participated in and the three 10k runs, Big Sur is BY FAR the best run I have ever done. It terms if timing, scenery, organization, it's amazing. I would say if you were to do any run in the bay area, Big Sur would have to be it, better than any run in San Francisco most def. They have free soup and beer after which is a plus & you get a super cool medal for completing. I am def a fan and will be running it for the next years to come! & on a side note, they're so kind, I placed third in my age group and did not stay for the award ceremony, so they mailed me my plaque! I need to remember to reimburst them for the shipping, but it was a really nice surprise! read more

This was my first ever half marathon! I highly recommend this. Overall, it was very organized. They organize you by how fast you are, so you don't need to worry about running with people that are too slow or too fast. The course itself was not hilly at all. Sure, it wasn't totally flat but pretty close to it. About every 2-4 miles, music was played. It really helped me to push on forward, especially towards the end. I was going to stop for water at the turn around (the course is out and back) but they didn't have a water station. Don't worry though, besides that almost every mile has water. The views also were fantastic! The ocean was such a pretty view and every so often waves would crash upon the rocks spaying you with droplets of water. The first 6 miles I was almost smiling the whole entire time! Some tips I could give you are: Train! I read that about 1-2 weeks before your half marathon you should do a tempo run. Also arrive 30-60min before the race so you can warm up. When I did this people were giving me strange looks but it really helps (http://www.runnersworld.com/run-nonstop/how-and-why-you-should-warm-up-before-a-run). I learned that starting out too fast is a frequent mistake lots of people have made. Since I learned about this tip, I was good for the first 4 miles :) though I had seen a lot of people breathing REALLY heavy even at mile 2. I hope they finished! Yes, ok so I'm not a professional athlete but I did place 4th in my age division. It is pricey. But I'm sure that won't stop you! The views are worth it! 2017 here I go?? read more

Monterey Bay Half Marathon was such a Blast! We kept all runners hydrated with our pure Oollee water! read more

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I ran this half marathon a few weeks ago and loved the course! The run took us through Downtown, Cannery Row, Pacific Grove, along the ocean, and then back to the Fisherman's Wharf area at the finish line. The course is relatively flat (compared to the San Francisco Second Half Marathon that I ran in July) and the weather was perfect! The only things preventing me from giving this event five stars are: -What's up with the police not being able to stop an SUV from crossing right through where we were running as we were a quarter mile from the finish line?! -The water stations weren't organized very well. Sometimes they were on the left and sometimes they were on the right and you didn't have enough time to tell when they were coming up so you could move to that side without having to cut all the way across. There were several times where nobody was holding cups out and I had to go to the table and WAIT for someone to pour water for me. I know these people are volunteers, but still... -The finish line was poorly organized as well. I have to admit that they did have a nice spread of food, but I'll be damned if I could find water! They told us to keep moving and there'd be water on the other side, but all I could find was pineapple juice (which would have made me hurl). Likewise, I wasn't in the mood for a Michelob Ultra. I finally ended up going back to the hotel to get my water! Despite these few criticisms, this was a fun event and a beautiful location! read more

The Good: - The Scenery - The Support (Plenty of 1st Aid and Water Stations) - The Atmosphere The Bad: - It's running 13.1 Miles Tips: - Find a hotel close to Downtown (Start and Finish) - Hydrate and Carb Load - It's late November so wear a Top Layer you don't mind throwing away Recommendation: I Highly recommend the Big Sur Half !!! P.S. I wish they would bring back the 10 Miler for those who don't want to run a Half read more

This is my best race!!!! The first time I was able to run under 2 hours!!!! This is from my essays regularly posting on fb. First of all, I beat my record. Up to that day my best time had been two hours and two minutes. To finish within two hours is one of the goals of moderate level runners. For a year I had run several half marathons, but my time was always around two hours and five minutes, and I had never run under two hours. But this time I finished in one hour and fifty eight minutes. Also, it was sunny but cool. In other words, it was the best weather for runners. The start time of the race was 7 a.m., but I waked up at 2 a.m. because of the sounds of a heavy rain. It was not surprising because there were supposed to be thunderstorms on the race day. Although I had expected stormy weather I was sorry because I didn't want to run when it was raining cats and dogs. And then I went back to sleep and waked up at 5 a.m. The first thing I did was look outside. Fortunately, it had stopped raining. Luckily, the clouds started clearing up about6 a.m. Because I had heard that this race course was really pretty when it was sunny, I got excited. The entire course was along the Monterey beach in Pacific Grove. The Monterey Ocean was a beautiful blue. The blue was a pretty color but it had sadness in it at the same time. While I was running, I was watching the beach and the waves and thinking about the good and sad things in my life. People sometimes say that a marathon is like a life. I totally agree with that. Finally, I had an excuse to eat a lot of noodles. Before and after the race, I ate a lot of noodles. read more

Another five stars rating for this event. Incredible beachside setting, and perfect weather! Well-organized, great entertainment and encouragement along the way(Taiko drumming at the halfway point). It was awesome seeing the top runners fly by us after their turnaround. Post-race: Sweet medallion-- handmade by an artist in Kentucky. Hot soup and cold Sam Adams beer in addition to the usual offerings of fruit and bagel/muffins. Nice technical shirt with a beautiful painted scenic image. I'm so happy to have ran this one for my first half. Woohoo! read more

This event is very well-organized and very scenic. I never thought I'd run a marathon right next to the ocean where waves are spectacularly crashing against rocks spraying cool mist on you as you run. There are lots of inclines so this might not be the race you might PR on but it's a great workout. I felt safe the whole route and didn't encounter any obnoxiousness. The post-race cool down and food areas was laid out well and all the random free goodies at the end were great. I might do this race again if friends are interested. read more

If your into running then this is a must do race. Great course, great views, rolling hills, plenty of hyrdration stops, the smell of the ocean, great fan support (there is a band at every three mile), good organized event. Its one of the more popular races so sign up early and start training as soon as you can. Its a great excuse to spend the weekend in Monterey, Ca. read more

Fast course--great for a confidence booster and/or a PR. I ran this again last year to prep for Thanksgiving feasting (and CIM) and had a better experience. Maybe because people on the course were nice or the weather was more co-operative? Pros: - nice tech-shirt - chip timing - cool medal - rolling hills (keeps it from getting boring) - you can make a weekend out of it--stay the weekend - beautiful views Cons: - windy in some parts--I was getting irritated and tired after the turnaround - a little crowded when there are people/tourists just walking around Overall, a good race and I'll do it again. read more

Fantastic race. Got a PR for the 1/2 marathon distance here, too. Bee-yoo-ti-ful course with great scenery, nice little bit of downhill right at the finish. Excellent! read more

I got cajoled into training for and running this half marathon as my first ever half. Before the race I was positive that it'd be my last half marathon too. Now that I've done it, I'm not so sure - it was so much fun, I'm severely tempted to do more of them, despite the free beer being Michelob Ultra (c'mon, we're drinking after, not before the race, decent beer please!) If you know me, you know that it takes a five star experience to change my outlook on things such as running half marathons, hence the five stars. read more