Running in Rhythm, the Big Sur Marathon
Evan FitzGerald, Staff Reporter

The average of CSU Monterey Bay cross-country runners is 5:40 for a mile in the most recent CCAA season. However even this time will not cut it during the central coast's most popular run, the Big Sur Marathon.

• While the name may make it sound like one of the longest kind s of races, there are in fact many ways to run. Besides the 26.2 miles of the marathon run there is a 21 mile, 10.6 mile, nine mile and a marathon relay according to the Big Sur International Marathon website at www.bsim.org. For those who are less athletically inclined the 5k is a much shorter jaunt. At just about three miles the fastest time was 16:10 this year. For those who are very fit and spend much of their time running, than the marathon may be the best fit. With steep climbs and fast straights throughout the course up the coast, it is a true test of endurance.
• If planning to win this race, that is another story all together. With the winning times coming in around 2:30:0, one would have to run a mile time of well under six minutes.

"I think it would be cool to run it, but I don't think I would be able to complete it without medical assistance," said Brenden Baca, a CSUMB Earth Systems Science & Policy junior and men's soccer team goalkeeper. "I run at most two miles, that's the warm-up around the soccer field."

While running is a good way to stay in shape, the amount required to run the marathon is more than most people have time for. Between going to classes, homework and maybe a job , finding the time to jog a few laps around the track might be difficult.

"I don't run at all right now," said Trevor Harris, a CSUMB Human Communications senior. "But I would want to run in it to see how I fare."

The highest place achieved by a student at CSUMB in the Big Sur Marathon was Omar Mendoza in 2007 when he placed eighth at a time of 2 :47 :3.

Registration is currently open for the multitude of different runs, ranging from $27 for the 5k to $209 for the marathon relay. However, the later a person registers, the more the cost increases due to the need to process applicants as soon as possible before the race. The marathon is run on April 27, starting at 6:45 a.m., Big Sur. For further information go to www.bsim.org.