The Monterey Bay Half Marathon Sells Out All Distances More than Three Months Ahead of Race Day
MONTEREY, CA – The 20th annual Monterey Bay Half Marathon has sold out all of its race distances more than three months ahead of race day. Race weekend is November 8-9, 2025 and features three coastal events; Saturday’s Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K and By-the-Bay 3K in addition to Sunday’s Monterey Bay Half Marathon. Runners are invited to complete Saturday’s 5K and Sunday’s half marathon to receive an additional finisher medal as part of the Ocean View Challenge.
The always popular race is set to host its largest number of runners to date, with nearly 11,000 runners registered for race weekend. Dubbed “California’s Best Half-Marathon” by Race Raves, the event is popular for its stunning course views, calendar date, seamless event organization and community support, its unique hand crafted ceramic finisher medal, and its fast and flat course with PR potential.
On course, runners will be treated to sights of crashing waves, sea lions, Victorian homes, historic Cannery Row, and more. With a two-day expo before Sunday’s half marathon and ample local attractions like the world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium, the event has all the makings of a true destination race.
This year’s sell out indicates that the Monterey Bay Half Marathon is following in the footsteps of its sister race, the Big Sur International Marathon, a marquee event for the 501(c)3 Big Sur Marathon Foundation who organizes both events. The Big Sur International Marathon sells out each year and registration is currently underway for the April 26, 2026 race. The random drawing for registration is open now through August 27, 2025. Selected runners will be announced September 4th, and the race’s other distances (21-miler, 11-miler, 12K, 5K, & marathon relay) will open on September 9th.
For more information about the Monterey Bay Half Marathon and the Big Sur International Marathon, including community giving and sponsorship opportunities, please visit each race’s website.
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About the Big Sur Marathon Foundation
The Big Sur Marathon Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create beautiful running events that promote health and benefit the community. Under the brand are the Big Sur International Marathon in April and the Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November. Each year, the organization donates over $300,000 to local nonprofits via their grant program to community volunteer groups, having given back over $6.7 million since 1986.
About Blistering Pace Race Management
Founded in 2016, BPRM works in a variety of race management capacities, ranging from specific projects to full event oversight. Clients include the San Francisco Half Marathon (10K & 5K), the Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon, the Big Sur Marathon Foundation, Chicago Event Management, and the New York Road Runners. For more information, visit blisteringpace.com.