2023 Monterey Bay Half Marathon Quick Facts
November 10-12, 2023
- The Monterey Bay Half Marathon takes place next to the Monterey Bay, not in Big Sur, and runs a different route than
the April Big Sur International Marathon. The Half Marathon is managed by the non-profit Big Sur Marathon
Foundation. - The Pacific Grove Lighthouse 5K, Ocean View Challenge and By-the-Bay 3K are held on Saturday, November 11, the day before the Half Marathon.
- Race bibs are not mailed. Bibs and shirts are distributed at the Health & Fitness Expo on Friday or Saturday of
race weekend. - The Half Marathon starts at 7:00 AM on Sunday, November 12, beginning with Elites and Corral A. There are 15 corrals; a pulsed start with 1-3 minutes between corral releases will be used.
- The Half Marathon course is limited to three hours and 30 minutes, a pace of 16 minutes per mile.
6 There are eight aid stations on the course with Nuun served first, then water. GU Energy Gel is
available at two aid stations (miles 5.9 and 8.3). - There is one BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) personal bottle refill station at the turnaround at mile 7.75.
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Have some questions?
Our staff have compiled a series of frequently asked questions and their answers, as best we know them. We hope this information will address most of your concerns. Remember to check this website frequently to find out “what’s new.”
Train safely and sensibly and we look forward to seeing you at the start line.
WHERE AND WHEN DOES THE RACE START?
The Start Line is located on Del Monte Avenue at Camino El Estero in downtown Monterey. The race at 7:00 AM with Elites and Corrals A through L. The corral starts are pulsed one to three minutes apart. Your corral letter is printed on your bib. Look for signs at the corral entrances with the letter of each corral.
IS THERE A COURSE TIME LIMIT?
We support walkers and slower runners but they are subject to the 3-1/2 hour course time limit, a 16-minute-mile pace. The course time limit begins when the last person crosses the timing mat at the start. To help everyone finish under the limit, there are three “cut-off” points on the course:
- If you reach Ocean View & Fountain Ave. (approximate mile 3.75) after 8:25 AM you will be directed to bypass the loop through downtown Pacific Grove and continue on Ocean View.
- If you reach Sunset at Pico Avenue (approximate mile 7.1) after 9:20 AM, you will be turned around there.
If you reach the intersection of the Recreation Trail and Cannery Row (approximate mile 11.9) after 10:30 AM, you will not be allowed to continue onto Cannery Row but instead will continue on the Trail to the finish.
There is no early-start option.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FINISH LINE?
After crossing the finish line, you will be given a finisher’s medallion. The finish medallions are ceramic and hand painted.
You will pass through the food tent and then pick up your gear bag if one was dropped off at a gear check truck at the start. From there, you will proceed to Custom House Plaza where you can unite with family and friends, enjoy the Cheers Garden and hot soup, view results, and check out race merchandise for sale. The lost & found is located at the info booth near the merchandise tent on the Plaza. There will be live music on the awards stage next to the Monterey Museum. Results computers will be in two locations. Be sure and stop to ring the “PR Bell” if you set a personal record. Bike Valet and Gear Check will close at 11:30 AM and all bikes and gear bags must be removed by that time.Â
The Awards Ceremony begins at 10 AM in the Finish Village.Â
Cash bonuses are based on GUN time. Divisional awards are based on CHIP time and go three deep in five-year age groups after ages 12-15 and 16-19. To be eligible for awards, you must record course split times at all course timing mats.
WHAT'S THE PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION SITUATION?
DOWNTOWN EAST & WEST GARAGES The Garages are located on Franklin between Washington and Alvarado Streets in downtown Monterey just blocks from the start and finish. To park here you MUST ARRIVE by 5:30 AM. Parking is free until 11 AM. See Parking Map (link) for more information.
STREET PARKINGÂ There is parking available on city streets. Many meters and surface lots ARE enforced on Sunday.
FREE MONTEREY PENINSULA COLLEGE PARKING AND SHUTTLEÂ All day free parking is available at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC). Free shuttles will take runners from MPC to a drop-off near the race start every 10 minutes from 5 to 6:15 AM. If exiting to Monterey from Highway 1, take exit 401A and turn left onto Aguajito Rd. at the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp. Turn right at the entrance to MPC and then right again onto Via Lavandera. If coming down Munras Avenue from exit 399B, turn right on Fremont and proceed to the intersection of Aguajito and Fremont, then turn right. Follow signs inside the Monterey Peninsula College parking lot. Plan on arriving no later than 6 AM.
FREE DEL MONTE SHOPPING CENTER PARKING AND SHUTTLEÂ All day free parking is available at Del Monte Center (DMC). Free shuttles will take runners from DMC to a drop-off area near the race start every 10 minutes from 5 to 6:15 AM. Take exit 399B from Highway 1 to Munras Ave. Del Monte Center is immediately on the right after exiting. Follow signs and directions for parking. Plan on arriving no later than 6 AM.
RETURN SHUTTLES Return shuttles to both MPC and DMC depart from the Dust Bowl Brewing parking lot (near the race start area) from 8:30 AM to 12 Noon.
RUNNER DROP-OFFS The designated runner drop-off location for private vehicles is on Pacific Street between Jefferson and Madison (in front of City Hall). It’s a short five-minute walk from here to the start on Del Monte.
BIKE VALETÂ Free secure bicycle parking is available for runners and spectators near the finish area between 5:30 and 11:30 AM.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 5K AND 3K?
Both races start and finish on Ocean View Boulevard at Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove.
TIME
The 3K begins at 8:00 AM and the 5K at 8:30 AM.
PACKET PICK-UP
Bibs & participant shirts can be picked up at the Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, November 11th. A photo ID is required for packet pick up. The Expo is located at the Monterey Conference Center. Hours are noon to 6:00 PM on Friday. If you are unable to pick up on Friday, there will be race morning pick up at Lovers Point Park beginning at 6:30 AM. There are no gear check provisions for the 5K or 3K.
PETS, STROLLERS AND HEADPHONES
For safety reasons, please leave the dogs, strollers/baby joggers, and headphones, iPods, or earbuds at home. Thank you.
PARKING
There is parking available in the public lots in Pacific Grove or on the city streets. Be sure to note any parking enforcement signs and hours of enforcement.
COURSE
Both the 5K and 3K courses begin just west of Lovers Point Park on Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove and are out-and-back. On the outbound section, you are in the water-side lane; after turning around, you are in the land-side lane. 5K runners turn around at Point Pinos near Lighthouse Avenue. 3K runners turn around just past Coral Street.
There will be two water/aid stations on the 5K course at 1.2 miles and 2.3 miles. The 3K station is on Ocean View Boulevard after the turnaround near Coral Street.
There will be water and post-race refreshments after the finish in Lovers Point Park.
POST-RACE ACTIVITIES
The 5K awards ceremony begins at 9:30 AM at Lovers Point Park. Awards go three deep in five-year age divisions after 5-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-19. Awards are also presented to the overall male and female winners and masters (age 40 and over) male and female winners. Awards are determined by chip time.
The 3K is timed but non-competitive. There are no overall or age division awards.
All 5K and 3K finishers receive medallions.
Pacific Grove Kiwanis sponsors a $10 pancake breakfast and CHOMP will offer interactive activities for children and youth.
