California International Marathon

CIM has a gently rolling, point-to-point, net downhill course with well maintained streets and few turns. The CIM start is at a 366 ft. elevation and its finish at a 26 ft. elevation.

CIM has steadily grown in numbers from a field of 1,600 runners in 1983 to a race that now fills to a capacity of more than 9,000 marathoners. Over the years, the SRA has added a four-person relay (over 1,000 teams now compete) and a 2.62-mile maraFUNrun held in the spirit of fitness and fun for 2,000 participants. Both of these events are a component of SRA’s mission to expose people of all ages to the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through running.

The SRA Board of Directors, race management and volunteers work thousands of hours year-round to ensure that all runners have the best marathon experience possible, whether you are an experienced elite racer, mid-packer or are running for your first marathon finisher’s medallion. We look forward to seeing you in December!

Reasons to Run CIM

• Qualify for the Boston Marathon! The fast, USATF sanctioned course is a Boston Marathon qualifying course.
• Average temperatures range in the mid-50s, 80% chance of perfect running weather.
• Fall continues well into December in Sacramento and the “City of Trees” is ablaze with fall colors.
• The CIM wide start line minimizes congestion and allows for you to easily settle into your marathon pace.
• There are separate finish lines for men and for women.
• The Pace Team leaders, many of them elite ultra runners, are local and familiar with the CIM course.
• The Loyal Runners Program is available to runners who have finished the CIM 5 times, 10 times, 15 times, 20 times, 25 times and 30 times receive special gifts.
• There is bus transportation to the start for all runners.
• More than 2,000 dedicated, caring volunteers, and great crowd support from local residents who support this “Capitol Running Tradition.”
• 17-well-stocked aid stations and plenty of nourishment at the finish.
• More porta-potties per runner at the start and along the course than any event the CIM staff and board has ever seen!
• Block-by-block, lively and “international” course entertainment.
• Beautiful, LARGE, unique, colorful finishers’ medallions and ribbons.
• Festive two-day Expo, timed perfectly for your holiday shopping.
• Get in shape, meet new friends, achieve a goal, and then enjoy the holiday season guilt-free!

What Others Runners Say About CIM

• “One of the fastest, if not THE FASTEST, courses in the country!”— Bart Yasso, Runner’s World Online 2007
• “One of the WORLD’S BEST small marathons.”— Runner’s World Magazine, 2006
• The CIM consistently ranks in the top 9 of marathons with the most number of Boston Marathon qualifiers, behind marathons with much larger numbers of participants (Boston, Chicago, New York, etc.).— marathonguide.com, 2004-2013
• Voted “BEST Marathon.”— Competitor Magazine Poll, 2009
• “…in the TOP TEN as a FALL DESTINATION Marathon.”— USA Today, Bart Yasso, 2007
• Voted “Sacramento’s BEST sporting event” — Sacramento Bee online poll, 2009