Interesting Facts About The Big Sur Marathon

CARMEL, Calif. – (April 28, 2011) – The 26th Presentation of the Big Sur International Marathon will be held on Sunday, May 1. More than 12,800 runners and walkers have registered for the event that includes a marathon (sold-out), marathon relay, 21, 10.6 and 9-Milers (walking or running), a 5K and the JUST RUN!® Just Kids 3K fun run (on Saturday, April 30).

Below are a few of the known and lesser-known statistics from the Big Sur International Marathon:

Number of runners / walkers registered: 12,825 (as of 04/12/11)

Marathon = 4,630 (includes 322 in Boston 2 Big Sur Marathon and 265 in Runners World Challenge)

3K = 2,723

10.6-miler = 1,581

21-miler = 925

9-miler = 818

5K = 670

Relay teams =301

Runners from all 50 states and DC and 27 countries

Oldest marathoner – Orin Scandrett, Minneapolis, MN, age 80, predicted time 5:30

Oldest in other events

21-miler: Raymond Rice, Arcata, CA, age 86

10.6-miler: Walter Oppenheimer, Corte Madera, CA, age 86

9-miler: Joanne Killam, Long Beach, CA, age 81; Marvin Johnson, Rocklin, CA, age 80

5K: Nancy Gough, Truckee, CA, age 87

NEW in 2011

* New “out-and-back” course for marathon, relay and 21-miler

* Carmel welcomes race with kick-off parties

* Runner’s World Challenge bring editorial staff and 250 runners

* Largest Health & Fitness expo in race’s history

* Nissan LEAF to offer free test drives of all-electric vehicle

More Fun Facts

Number of buses used to transport runners: 168

Their job: to transport 7,000-8,000 people from seven locations to and from the race

Porta Potties used: 364

Gallons of coffee consumed: 350

Amount of beer consumed: 24 kegs

Soup: 72 gallons

Purchase and serve 1,728 artichokes

Purchase and serve 2,400 bagels

Pasta dinner: 800 people served; 400 lbs of pasta and 50 gallons of marinara sauce

Food from race sponsor DOLE:

40 cases of apples

100 cases of bananas

105 cases of strawberries

50 cases of grapes

11,000 juices

9,000 boxes of raisins

In addition to the 12,000-plus participants, the event feeds 1,200 volunteers on race day.

Volunteers assisting in marathon activities: 2,500 (This ranges from individuals to groups from service clubs, scouts, schools, churches, youth groups, work/employee groups, the military and more.)

Amount donated to charity: Exceeds $180,000 annually to local charities. Since the marathon’s inception, more than $2.5 million has been donated.

Number of booths at the expo: 70 (event record)

The Big Sur International Marathon has been called “one of the jewels of American running” and “one of the best running experiences on the planet.” It has also received honors such as being named one of the country’s top three marathons (along with New York City and Boston), the “Best Destination Marathon in North America” and one of the world’s “Top Ten Races to Do Before You Die.”

For more race information, go to: www.bsim.org