SUBMITTED ARTICLE
MONTEREY COUNTY — The 32nd annual Big Sur International Marathon is Sunday, April 30. The 26.2-mile foot race, a major sporting event on California’s Central Coast, necessitates the temporary closure of California Highway 1 from south of Carmel to Big Sur for a half day. Highway 1 traffic throughout the Monterey Peninsula north of Rio Road will not be affected.
Though Highway 1 is closed to through traffic south of Big Sur, residents needing to access their homes and travelers wishing to view the coastline and village of Big Sur are able to do so only in CHP-escorted caravans at designated times between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 30. The highway will be re-opened to through traffic at 1 p.m.
Thousands of runners and walkers from 49 states and 35 countries will be traveling north on a point-to-point course along Highway 1 from Big Sur toward the finish line at Rio Road in Carmel. The inland lane of Highway 1 will be used for emergency vehicles and the car caravans between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Southbound traffic along Highway 1 to Big Sur will be restricted south of the Carmel Highlands beginning at 4 a.m., though travel to the Carmel Highlands is open until 7 a.m. For Monterey Peninsula residents and tourists needing to head south after this time, CHP-escorted convoys will leave from the Crossroads Shopping Village in Carmel at 8:45 a.m. and at 11:00 a.m. Northbound traffic from Big Sur will be closed at Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park at 3 a.m. All others traveling north from Big Sur Village must leave by 6 a.m. or enter into a northbound caravan leaving from Big Sur at 7:20 a.m., from Pt. Sur at 9:50 a.m. or from Palo Colorado at 11:55 a.m. All times are approximate and subject to delays.
Race spectators wishing to enjoy the excitement of at the Marathon finish line can travel from Highway 1 onto Carmel Valley Road and south on Carmel Rancho Boulevard to nearby public parking areas. The finish line can be best viewed from the west (ocean) side of Highway 1 just south of Rio Road. Runners and spectators can also gather in the “Marathon Finish Village,” the location of participant service tents offering food, massage, merchandise, entertainment, awards and more.
The Big Sur Marathon’s By-the-Bay 3K taking place on Saturday morning, April 29, will also result in minor short-term street closures and delays in the city of Pacific Grove. The By-the-Bay 3K for local school children and their families will take place along Ocean View Blvd. heading west from Lovers Point to Coral Street beginning at 8 a.m. Ocean View Boulevard will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. between Fountain and Coral to accommodate the gathering of 5,000 children and adults registered for the race. Post-race festivities in Lovers Point Park will conclude by 11 a.m.
For a copy of the car caravan schedule or questions on access and travel delays, contact the Big Sur International Marathon office, 831-625-6226 or in**@bs**.org.
