Monterey Bay Half Marathon 2026

The Monterey Bay Half Marathon begins and ends in historic downtown Monterey, taking place on a November race weekend along California's central coast. This 13.1-mile road race features a USATF-certified course and is organized by the Big Sur International Marathon. Participants have 3.5 hours to complete the course, averaging about 16 minutes per mile, accommodating runners, walkers, and faster competitors. The route crosses Monterey, proceeds down Cannery Row, and follows Ocean View Boulevard. It enters downtown Pacific Grove and continues along the coast toward Asilomar before turning back. The course is largely at sea level, starting at 7 feet and finishing at 19 feet, with a total elevation change of 106 feet. Pacific Grove also holds shorter 3K and 5K races during the weekend. The half marathon attracts a substantial number of participants, with one recent edition recording 6,915 entrants.