Monterey Bay Half Marathon
The Monterey Bay Half Marathon is an out-and-back course beginning in historic downtown Monterey, running along Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, and next to the beautiful Pacific Grove shoreline. The course features scenic views of waves crashing on rocky beaches, beautiful Victorian-era homes, and frequent sightings of aquatic life.
Elevation Details
- Total Elevation Gain:106
- Net Elevation Gain:12
Notable Landmarks
- Historic Downtown Monterey: The race begins in this area, allowing runners to experience the charm of Monterey's rich history.
- Cannery Row: This iconic waterfront street, immortalized by author John Steinbeck, features preserved cannery buildings and offers picturesque views of the bay.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: Situated on Cannery Row, this renowned aquarium is visible along the route and is a highlight for many participants.
- Lovers Point Park: Located in Pacific Grove, this park provides panoramic ocean vistas and is a favorite spot for spectators and runners alike.
- montereybayhalfmarathon.org
- Point Pinos Lighthouse: As runners approach Point Pinos, they can glimpse this historic lighthouse, which stands as the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast.
- montereybayhalfmarathon.org
- Asilomar State Beach: The course reaches its turnaround point near this serene beach, known for its natural beauty and coastal dunes.
- Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail: A significant portion of the race follows this trail, offering continuous views of the Pacific Ocean and opportunities to observe local wildlife.
Location Details
Other Race Distances
Estimated Hotel Cost
200 USD per night
Race Requirements
Eligibility
Other than age of 12, NA
Required Documents
Photo ID
Entry Methods
Online Registration
Refunds and Cancellations:
No Refunds: The event does not offer refunds for registrations.
One-Year Deferral: Participants unable to attend can defer their registration to the following year's event for a $25 fee. This deferral is valid for one year only.
Person-to-Person Transfer: Registrants may transfer their entry to another individual within the same race category for a $20 fee. The transfer process involves the original entrant initiating the transfer through their Active.com account, after which the new participant completes the registration. Once finalized, the original registrant is refunded their registration fee minus the $20 transfer fee.
Optional Protection: During registration, participants can opt for refund protection through Protect Group. This allows for a refund if unable to attend due to specific reasons. Note that this protection must be selected during the initial registration and cannot be added retroactively. Refunds under this protection are processed by Protect Group, not the race organizers.
For the most current information and any updates to these policies, it's advisable to consult the official Monterey Bay Half Marathon website or contact the organizers directly.
Participants are encouraged to book accommodations early due to the popularity of the event. Monterey offers various attractions, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium and scenic coastal views, making it an ideal destination for a race weekend.
This race is organized by the Big Sur International Marathon team, known for attention to detail. While much of the route is along coastline (with fewer spectators aside from volunteers and the odd curious seal!), the atmosphere is serene and scenic.
Registration details to be announced; please check the official website for updates. Often reaches capacity by fall.
Travel: Monterey is a smaller city; book accommodations early (or stay in nearby towns like Carmel).
- General Entry129 USD
- Expo and Bib Pickup2025-11-08
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