Big Sur International Marathon charity spots

The 2027 Big Sur International Marathon is on Sunday, April 25, 2027, and it will be the 40th running. The course is point to point on Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel, with Bixby Bridge at about halfway, where a pianist in a tuxedo plays for runners. The marathon is capped at about 4,500 entrants, and there is a strict six hour limit (13:45 per mile), with hills and frequent headwinds; the race says many runners consider it 10 to 20 minutes slower than flatter courses.

The cheapest way in is the random drawing. For 2027 the drawing ran August 19 to September 2, 2026, winners were announced September 8, 2026, and drawing winners paid $325. General registration has since sold out across all distances, and the race says the remaining marathon entries are through special programs, including official charity partners.

For 2027 the race is partnering with more than two dozen charities. Each one provides marathon entries (some also offer other distances) to runners who meet its minimum, and the minimums are set by each charity. Charity entries opened on August 19, 2026 on a first come, first served basis, so popular teams can fill early.

On the 2027 charity pages we checked, $2,000 was the common marathon minimum, with $1,500 for the 11 Miler where offered. It is a bigger ask than many races, but it is one of the few ways left onto this course.