California International Marathon (CIM)
Race Day Weather
Cool start, gradual warm-up
Runners will face a cool start at 43°F, gradually warming to 58°F. With winds from the SW, there will be headwinds in the early miles and towards the end, particularly in Miles 1, 7-10, 15-18, and 27. Runners should consider pacing adjustments to conserve energy during these challenging stretches and stay hydrated, as humidity will remain high at 76%.
Pace Calculator
The California International Marathon (CIM) is an annual road marathon (42.195 km (26.219 mi)) held in Northern California since 1983. The net downhill course starts at Folsom Dam and ends at the State Capitol in Sacramento. The race is organized by the Sacramento Running Association. Wikipedia
Race Day Tips
Arrive early for the bus ride from Sacramento to Folsom; buses start leaving at 5 AM, and lines can be long, so aim to be in line by 4:45 AM to ensure you make it to the start on time.
Be prepared for rolling hills throughout the first 10K; while they aren't overly steep, they can be deceptive and may impact your pacing if you're not careful.
Plan to hold back your pace during the first half of the race, especially through the rolling hills, as many runners find that they can push harder in the second half if they conserve energy early on.
The last hill at mile 21 before crossing the bridge into downtown Sacramento can be a mental challenge; prepare for it by visualizing your finish and drawing energy from the crowd support.
Arrive early for the bus ride from Sacramento to Folsom; buses start leaving at 5 AM, and lines can be long, so aim to be in line by 4:45 AM to ensure you make it to the start on time.
Be prepared for rolling hills throughout the first 10K; while they aren't overly steep, they can be deceptive and may impact your pacing if you're not careful.
Plan to hold back your pace during the first half of the race, especially through the rolling hills, as many runners find that they can push harder in the second half if they conserve energy early on.
The last hill at mile 21 before crossing the bridge into downtown Sacramento can be a mental challenge; prepare for it by visualizing your finish and drawing energy from the crowd support.
Tips from runner race reports
Read full reviews →FAQ
When is the 2026 California International Marathon (CIM)?
Is the California International Marathon (CIM) a Boston Marathon Qualifier?
What is the time limit for the California International Marathon (CIM)?
What will the weather be like for the 2026 California International Marathon (CIM)?
Reviews & Race Reports
Rolling hills catch many off guard. Strong crowd support fuels the finish. Arrive early for smooth logistics.
Rolling Course Surprises — Many runners were caught off guard by the frequent rolling hills throughout the course. While some found the inclines manageable, others struggled with pacing, especially in the later miles.
Crowd Energy — The crowd support was a standout feature, with reports highlighting loud cheers and funny signs at various points. Runners noted that the energy from spectators helped push them through tough moments, particularly around mile 20.
Pre-Race Logistics — Getting to the start was smooth, with bus transportation from Sacramento to Folsom working well for most. A few runners mentioned the benefit of arriving early to settle nerves and find a good spot in the corrals.
Aid Stations and Fuel — Aid stations were well-stocked and organized, providing a variety of hydration options. Many runners recommended testing your fueling strategy beforehand to avoid any surprises on race day.
Surprised by mild hills, pushed through pain to finish strong
With every step, my quads began to hurt more and more. I couldn't believe my legs were still moving, let alone holding my pace. I told myself, "If this bridge doesn't break me, I think I'll be in a good spot". Here it comes. I slowed a bit going up, but it really wasn't bad at all.
Boosted by a dog sighting at mile 20, finished strong
The weather was characteristically perfect in the low 40's with cloud cover the entire morning. Really can't ask for better weather for a Sunday long run. Even though I was fueling well -- gummy bear pouches every four miles and a handheld with 100g of carbs -- after passing the 2:55 pace group around mile 17, I did hit a rough patch. Seemingly out of nowhere, the effort started to feel much harder and thoughts of doubt started to creep in about whether I could continue clipping off 6:35-minute miles nine more times.
Surprised by hills, battled through intense last 10 miles
This was my first CIM so I didn't really know what to expect from the course. The hills really surprised me and I spent far more of the course on a grade than the profile would have you believe. I was able to take the ups pretty relaxed and on the downs I kept telling myself to let the shoes do all the work.
Fought through knee pain to achieve a 17-minute PR
Things felt smooth to start, but then around 4, beersandmile7 shouted that he was hopping in a portapotty, and I kept on with the group. I didn't worry too much about my watch for a while, just focused on the effort and aiming for a 70/71 first half, calling out to the group periodically to relax on the hills where we could, keep things in check. We got to halfway with the clock reading 70:40, so pretty much spot-on.
Felt great throughout, enjoyed the marathon experience fully.
Race plan was to aim for a Sub3. I had discussed with coach that there was a small chance of a 2:55 but I decided that I would be more disappointed if I blew up trying for a 2:55 and getting a 3:05 than running a 2:59. Lined up with the Sub3 pacers and off we went.