Big Sur Marathon Collects Two More National Awards

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December 15, 2020

The Big Sur Marathon added another runner-voted honor when it was recently voted one of the Top 20 Marathons of the last decade by BibRave, a runner community site. In addition, last month, the Monterey-Big Sur running community was named the “Best Small Racing City” by RaceRaves, an online community dedicated to races and the race experience.

?“These awards add to the many others our races have earned through the years thanks to our scenic courses and hard-working and passionate race committee,” said Big Sur Marathon race director Doug Thurston. “Additional recognition and exposure is always welcome but particularly so after what our organization has gone through this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

?The non-profit Big Sur Marathon Foundation has had to cancel all of this year’s in-person events and the JUST RUN youth fitness program due to the pandemic. In addition, 70-percent of the organization’s staff was laid off in an effort to shore up finances. With the virus still raging across the country, no events are expected in 2021 as well.

?The Big Sur Marathon was first run on the “ragged edge of the western world” from Big Sur to Carmel on scenic Highway 1 in 1986. The race soon added shorter race distances and quickly grew in demand to be a “bucket list” with thousands more wanting to run the race each year than space allows. Held the last Sunday in April, the next race weekend is slated for April 23-24, 2022.

?The organization added the Monterey Bay Half Marathon 16 years ago followed by JUST RUN and the Run in the Name of Love in Carmel-by-the-Sea each June. 

?The success of the events has helped fund more than $400,000 in annual support to other non-profit organizations in Monterey County.

?“We continue to monitor the encouraging news about the COVID-19 vaccine,” Thurston said. “We look forward to producing more beautiful events and programs that benefit our community when safe to do so.”

About the Big Sur Marathon Foundation

The Big Sur Marathon Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create beautiful running events that promote health and benefit the community. Under the brand are three individual race weekends: the Big Sur International Marathon in April, Run in the Name of Love 5K and 2K in June, and the Monterey Bay Half Marathon, 5K and 3K in November. In addition, the Foundation oversees the award-winning JUST RUN® youth fitness program. www.bsim.org #bigsurmarathon

Media Contact:

Doug Thurston, Big Sur Marathon Foundation

doug@bsim.org / 831-625-6226 / Cell during shelter-in-place 916-802-7668

Contact:
Doug Thurston, Race Director / Executive Director
doug@bsim.org, (831) 625-6226/ Cell during shelter-in-place (916) 802-7668