Welcome Race Participants and Fans!!!

The Monterey Bay Half Marathon is a scenic, USATF-certified 13.1-mile coastal race managed by the non-profit Big Sur Marathon Foundation that starts and finishes near Old Fisherman's Wharf.

Monterey Bay Half Marathon Expo at the Conference Center next to Old Fisherman's Wharf

Participants in the Monterey Bay Half Marathon should plan to pick-up their race bib, shirt, and packet at the race expo either Friday or Saturday, November 6-7. The Expo is open from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, November 6th and from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 7th.

Participants in the Saturday 5K and 3K can pick up their race bib and event shirt on Friday at the Expo or early Saturday morning at the race site, Lovers Point in Pacific Grove.

Race Overview & Details

• Race Date: November 8, 2026   

• Start Time & Location: 7:00 AM PDT on Del Monte Avenue in downtown Monterey  

• Course Time Limit: 3.5 hours (approximate 16-minute-per-mile pace) 

• Elevation Profile: Mostly flat, with a start elevation of 7 feet, finish elevation of 19 feet, and a total elevation gain/loss of 106 feet   
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  Course Description

• Start & Cannery Row: The out-and-back course begins in historic downtown Monterey, passes through the Custom House Tunnel, and runs right along Steinbeck’s famous Cannery Row. [1, 2]
• Pacific Grove Shoreline: Runners proceed west onto Ocean View Boulevard, traveling through residential neighborhoods past Victorian-era homes and Lovers Point Park. [1, 2]
• Coastal Views & Wildlife: The route tracks the rocky Pacific Grove coastline with views of crashing waves, where participants frequently spot marine life including sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, and whales. [1]
• Finish Festival: The race concludes at the Custom House Plaza - Monterey State Historic Park Finish Village, featuring a post-race celebration, awards ceremony, and refreshments. [1, 2]
• 9,000 entrants; the 2026 event is sold out (waitlist options apply)