Big Sur Half Marathon Gains In Popularity

Women lead the way in the annual race.

It’s a known fact that more and more women across the country are taking part in races. A good example of this truism is the Big Sur Half Marathon.

Weeks ago, the annual race sold out at 9,000 runners. And here’s the surprise: over 64 percent were women.

“Hopefully girls participating in high school and college athletics has had a little to do with it,” said 2008 Olympian, Blake Russell. “I also think women are having careers and delaying having children a bit which gives them more time to focus on themselves and their own health.”

Russell finished second in last year’s Big Sur Half Marathon.

Though most runners start running to get some form of exercise, it’s women who are more consistent than men in terms of keeping at it.

Monterrey-based runner Carmella Curva is one example of a successful female runner. She says that the sport has taught her an important lesson about life: to “tuck in” when the going gets rough.

For More: Santa Cruz Sentinel