The Monterey Bay Half Marathon Welcomes 8,000+ Runners for Its 19th Presentation

MONTEREY, CA – The 19th Annual Monterey Bay Half Marathon, which took place on Sunday, November 10th, welcomed its largest field of participants in seven years to enjoy the dramatic beauty of the central coast. Race weekend included a two-day expo in downtown Monterey, the Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K and By-the-Bay 3K on Saturday, and the half marathon as the weekend’s focal point on Sunday morning.

The fan-favorite race, crowned “California’s Best Half-Marathon” in 2024 by Race Raves, draws runners from all over the country to its stunning course featuring historic Cannery Row and the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, crashing waves, sea lions, Victorian homes, Point Pinos Lighthouse, Asilomar Beach, and a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted ceramic medal which awaits participants at the finish line.

The relatively flat course consistently draws a competitive elite field posting exciting times. Today, Ero Doce from Turlock, CA joined the winner’s circle as the men’s first place finisher, separating himself from the pack around mile 5 and completing the course in an astonishing 1:03:56. And for the women, Liza Reichert, full-time working mother of three, took the top spot, finishing the course in 1:17:15.

“We were fortunate to welcome our runners with perfect weather to enjoy our beautiful course,” said Dino Pick, Chair of the Board of Directors. “The volunteers and staff of the Big Sur Marathon Foundation worked hard to maintain the reputation they have earned over the years for delivering an exceptional experience. Our runners’ smiles were the best result!”

While the Monterey Bay Half Marathon is a world-class race, at its core, it is a community event – one which could not be accomplished without the incredible support of its volunteer groups, community members (roughly 25% of registered runners are from Monterey County), and the Big Sur Marathon Foundation Board Members and Race Committee. Proceeds from the race are returned to the community in the form of grants and donations. Thank you to all involved in making this year’s event a success!

For more information about the Monterey Bay Half Marathon, including 2024 race results, community giving, registration for 2025, and partnership opportunities, please visit our website.