📅 Race date: Sunday, December 6, 2026 | Edition: 44th California International Marathon
⏰ Start time: 7:00 AM mass start (wheeled/adaptive athletes: 6:53 AM)
📍 Start: Near Folsom Dam, Folsom, CA (elevation 366 ft / 112m)
🏁 Finish: California State Capitol, Sacramento, CA (elevation 26 ft / 8m)
📏 Distance: 42.195K Marathon
⛰️ Elevation: Net drop 366 ft (111.5m) — rolling hills first 21 miles, flat and fast final 5
👟 Field size: ~8,000–9,000 finishers
⏱️ Time limit: 6 hours — finish line closes 1:30 PM sharp
⭐ Special status: 2026 USATF Men’s and Women’s Marathon Championships
🎟️ Entry: Tiered registration — all standard tiers sold out for 2026; Gold Entry Draw closed April 30
💰 Prize money: $20,000 to 1st place (USATF Championship field) + 2028 OTQ bonus of $500
🍂 Race weather: Mid-40s to low 50s°F (7–12°C) at gun — cool, crisp, often misty — ideal marathon conditions
✈️ Nearest airport: Sacramento International Airport (SMF) — 20 min from downtown
🌐 Race website: runsra.org/california-international-marathon · @runcim262 · @runsra_cim
Most marathons either test your patience with a lottery or test your ego with a qualifying time. The California International Marathon does neither. Since 1983 it has simply set up shop on the first Sunday of December in Sacramento, pointed runners at the California State Capitol and said: go as fast as you possibly can.
That simplicity is the point. The CIM course has not changed in 42 years. It starts near Folsom Dam in the foothills east of Sacramento, drops 366 feet over 26.2 miles through fall-coloured suburbs and tree-lined boulevards and finishes on Capitol Mall in front of one of the most recognisable buildings in the American West. Conditions in early December are typically cool, often overcast and almost always fast. The result is a race that produces more Boston qualifiers per capita than any other marathon in the United States and has become the unofficial national stage for American marathon running at its most competitive.
The 44th edition of the CIM runs on Sunday, December 6, 2026, and it carries extra weight this year. The Sacramento Running Association has been selected to host the 2026 USATF Men’s and Women’s Marathon Championships — the second consecutive year CIM has held that title, following a 2025 edition that produced a new women’s course record, a new American men’s course record and 107 runners hitting 2028 Olympic Trials qualifying standards in a single morning. The course is not just fast. It is proven.
If you have a PR to chase, a BQ to lock in or you simply want to run a race where the best American distance runners in the country are on the same start line as you, this is the one.
California International Marathon 2026 — Race at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | California International Marathon (CIM) |
| Edition | 44th CIM |
| 2026 race date | Sunday, December 6, 2026 |
| Start time | 7:00 AM mass start (adaptive athletes 6:53 AM) |
| Start location | Near Folsom Dam, Folsom, CA |
| Finish location | California State Capitol, Sacramento, CA |
| Distance | 42.195K Marathon |
| Time limit | 6 hours — finish line closes 1:30 PM sharp |
| Special status | 2026 USATF Marathon Championships (men’s and women’s) |
| Entry | Tiered registration — all 2026 standard tiers sold out |
| Elevation | Net drop 366 ft (111.5m) — rolling hills to flat 5-mile finish |
| Field size | ~8,000–9,000 finishers |
| Aid stations | 17 — water + Precision Hydration throughout; gels + fruit at miles 6.4, 13.6 and 21.4 |
| Course type | Point-to-point, net downhill, USATF certified |
| Organiser | Sacramento Running Association (501(c)(3) nonprofit) |
| Race website | runsra.org |
What Makes the California International Marathon Worth Running?
It Is the Fastest Course in the West — and the Numbers Back That Up
The CIM has a 30.2% Boston qualifying rate. One in three runners who finish this race goes home with a BQ. No other marathon in the country comes close to that number consistently, and multiple independent sources including Runner’s World, RaceRaves, Outside and the Boston Athletic Association itself have named CIM the top Boston qualifier in the US. The combination of a net-downhill course, cool December temperatures and a flat final 5 miles creates conditions where the clock genuinely cooperates. If you have a time goal, this is the course that gives you the best chance to hit it.
The Course Has Not Changed in 42 Years
The route SRA created for the 1983 inaugural CIM is the same one you will run in December 2026. Same start near Folsom Dam. Same finish on Capitol Mall. Same fall-coloured tree canopy through Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks and Carmichael. There is something reassuring about a race that has been running the same road for four decades. Every course record, every personal best in CIM history happened on exactly the course you will run. You are not just racing a route — you are racing a 42-year performance history.
December in Sacramento Is as Close to Perfect as Marathon Weather Gets
Early December in Sacramento sits in a narrow window between the warm autumn and the wet winter. Average temperatures at race time are in the mid-50s Fahrenheit — around 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. Overcast skies are common, which helps regulate temperature across the full six hours the course is open. The valley can produce light fog in the early miles, which keeps things cool. Rain is possible but not typical. This is not a race where the weather gambles against you the way spring or late-autumn marathons sometimes do.
2026 Is a USATF National Championship Year
The Sacramento Running Association has hosted the USATF Marathon Championships multiple times and 2026 is the second year running after 2025. What this means in practice: the field is deeper, faster and more competitive than a typical CIM year. The prize structure is expanded. The national spotlight is larger. You will be running the same course as the top American marathoners in the country on their biggest domestic stage of the year. For club runners and sub-elites, that kind of atmosphere changes how a race feels from the gun.
It Produces More Olympic Trials Qualifiers Than Any Other US Marathon
At the 2025 edition, 107 runners hit the 2028 Olympic Trials qualifying standards — 54 American women under 2:37:00 and 52 men under 2:16:00 — in a single race. CIM holds the world record for the deepest performance marathon measured by Olympic Trials qualifiers produced. That statistic reflects not just the course but the culture: serious runners come here to run serious times, and the collective pace of a fast field pulls individuals to performances they might not reach elsewhere.
The Finish at the California State Capitol Is Genuinely Memorable
Marathon finish lines are usually just tape across a road. CIM finishes on Capitol Mall, with the California State Capitol building filling the view ahead as you turn from L Street onto 8th Street and make for the line. Even at mile 25, when most runners are operating on whatever cognitive resources remain after 24 miles of effort, that view does something. The building was completed in 1874. It has watched Sacramento change for 150 years. And on the first Sunday of December it watches several thousand runners come down Capitol Mall at whatever pace they have left. It is one of the better finishes in American road racing.
The CIM Course — What to Expect Mile by Mile
A 26.2-mile point-to-point course from Folsom Dam east of Sacramento through the suburban belt of Orangevale, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks and Carmichael, then into the city of Sacramento and down Capitol Mall to the State Capitol building. Net elevation drop of 366 feet (111.5 meters). Rolling hills for the first 21 miles. Flat and fast for the final 5. 17 aid stations. USATF certified. Surface: road throughout. Trees in full autumn colour for much of the course in early December.
🏁 The Start — Folsom Dam, Elevation 366 Feet (Miles 0 to 3)
The start area sits near Folsom Dam in the Folsom foothills east of Sacramento. At 7:00 AM in early December it is dark or close to it, the air is cool and sometimes foggy and the mood is entirely different from summer racing. The first few miles descend from the foothills into the American River Canyon area — the first aid station comes at mile 2.2. The early downhill tempts runners to go out too fast. Resist. The legs feel effortless at this point because the net downhill is doing the work, not your fitness. Runners who open too fast in Folsom pay for it in Sacramento.
One logistics note that surprises first-timers: you cannot drive to the start or be dropped off. All participants must take the official race bus from designated pickup locations in Sacramento or Folsom. Buses are free and included in registration. Plan to be at your bus pickup point at least 30 minutes before departure — start-line bus queues on race morning are long.
🌲 Orangevale and the Canyon Descent — Miles 3 to 8
After Casa Roble High School at mile 3.1 — the first major spectator zone — the course runs through residential Orangevale and begins threading along the American River Canyon area. The trees are typically in full autumn colour through this stretch in early December: copper, yellow and rust-orange lining roads that otherwise pass through quiet suburban neighbourhoods. The pace feels sustainable here. You are still early, still fresh and the rolling hills have not started to accumulate in your legs yet. Focus on keeping your effort easy, not your pace fast.
🏘️ Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks — Miles 8 to 14
The course transitions from the canyon roads into the commercial and residential sprawl of Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks, running along Folsom Boulevard before picking up Fair Oaks Boulevard, which serves as the course’s spine for the next ten-plus miles. The terrain here is genuinely rolling — small but consistent climbs and descents that require constant micro-adjustments in effort. This is where even-effort running, rather than even-pace running, pays off. Let the uphills slow you slightly. Let the downhills recover you. Do not push the uphills in miles 8 to 14 — you will need that energy at mile 22.
The halfway point cheer zone sits at Fair Oaks Blvd and California Ave near mile 13.1. If you have family or friends spectating, this is one of the best places to see you — and for you to get a mid-race boost before Carmichael.
🌳 Carmichael and the Flat Transition — Miles 14 to 20
The character of the race changes in Carmichael. The rolling hills give way to longer, flatter sections of Fair Oaks Boulevard as the course approaches the Sacramento city limits. For many runners, this is where the real marathon begins — the distraction of the hills is gone, the novelty of the early miles has worn off and you are left with nothing but the road ahead and whatever you have saved. Maintain your rhythm here. The temptation is to surge on the flat, but mile 20 is still coming.
Mile 19.4 at Watt Avenue and Fair Oaks Blvd has a sponsored cheer zone. The CIM Breakthrough Zone at mile 20.5 at Fair Oaks Blvd and The Pavilions is where race organisers have positioned maximum crowd support specifically for the wall. If you have a pacer, this is the check-in point.
🏛️ Sacramento City and the Capitol Finish — Miles 20 to 26.2
After the Guy West Bridge crossing the course feeds into Sacramento city proper, picking up J Street and then L Street for a long, straight run toward downtown. The course makes a right turn from L Street onto 8th Street, a quick left and then opens onto Capitol Mall. The California State Capitol building appears at the end of the avenue. Whatever you have left, spend it here. The finish line is at the Capitol, the crowd is thickest on Capitol Mall and the building ahead is worth arriving at with something left in reserve.
The biggest mistake at CIM is treating the first 10 miles as free miles because the downhill makes them feel easy. They are not free. The net drop creates eccentric muscle load — your quads absorb the gradient — and runners who do not account for this find miles 20 to 26 significantly harder than expected.
- Start conservative, even when the first miles feel slow. The opening 5 miles often feel effortless. That is the slope, not your fitness. Target a pace 10–15 seconds per mile slower than your goal pace for those early miles.
- Protect your quads on the early downhills. Shorten your stride slightly on the descents to reduce eccentric load. You need those muscles in the final 10K.
- Run by effort through miles 8 to 18, not by the watch. The rolling terrain does the pacing for you if you let it. Let the uphills slow you. Let the downhills recover you.
- The final 5 miles are flat — but that does not mean they will feel fast. Most runners hit this section with accumulated fatigue from the rolling hills. Pace sensibly and you will run it well. Don’t, and the flat will feel harder than it should.
- Cold start kit. Temperatures at 7 AM in December can be 5–8°C before the sun is up. Wear a throwaway layer for the first few miles. The race collects them from the road.
How to Register for the California International Marathon 2026
The CIM uses a tiered registration system that rewards early commitment. For 2026, this matters significantly because the race sold out faster than any previous year.
The 2026 Registration Picture
All three standard tiers — Blue ($180), Orange ($200) and Gold ($230) — sold out at record speed. A limited additional release of Gold + Mandatory Charity Donation entries ($500 total) also sold out. The only remaining official route to a 2026 CIM bib was through the CIM Gold Entry Draw, which had an application window that closed April 30, 2026. Selected applicants are charged $230 plus fees.
If you missed 2026 registration entirely, watch the official CIM transfers page from October 1 or start planning for 2027 when registration opens.
The Three Entry Tiers — Explained
| Tier | Price | Transfer to Relay | Transfer to Runner | Defer to 2027 | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue — Unprotected | $180 | No | No | No | No |
| Orange — Standard | $200 | Yes (from Oct 1) | Yes (from Oct 1) | No | No (unless transferred) |
| Gold — Worry-Free | $230 | Yes (from Oct 1) | Yes (from Oct 1) | Yes | No (unless transferred) |
Race Weekend Schedule — December 5 to 6, 2026
| Date | Event | Time and Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Dec 4 | CIM Expo and Packet Pickup | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM · Sacramento Convention Center |
| Sat, Dec 5 | CIM Expo and Packet Pickup | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Sacramento Convention Center |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Official CIM Shake Out Run | Morning · Sacramento Convention Center area |
| Sun, Dec 6 | Wheeled/Adaptive Athletes Start | 6:53 AM · Folsom Dam start area |
| Sun, Dec 6 | California International Marathon | 7:00 AM mass start · Folsom Dam to State Capitol |
| Sun, Dec 6 | Start line closes | 7:30 AM sharp — no exceptions |
| Sun, Dec 6 | Finish line closes | 1:30 PM sharp |
| Sun, Dec 6 | Return buses to partner hotels | 11:00 AM – 1:45 PM · N Street between 11th and 12th |
Expo and Packet Pickup — What You Need to Know
The CIM Expo runs at the Sacramento Convention Center — a more convenient location than some marathons manage, sitting in downtown Sacramento close to most partner hotels and a short walk from the Capitol Mall finish.
📅 Friday Dec 4: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📅 Saturday Dec 5: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM — no race-day pickup, no exceptions
🎟️ Bring: Government-issued photo ID + confirmation QR code from your registration email
👥 Proxy pickup: Allowed — send someone with your QR code and a copy of your photo ID
Unlike Honolulu, CIM does allow proxy pickup — someone else can collect your packet if you give them your QR code and they bring a copy of your photo ID. Relay teams pick up together: one team member collects both packets and needs QR codes for both runners.
The Expo features running gear, shoes, nutrition partners, official CIM merchandise and a speaker series. Pace team leaders are available at the Expo — if you plan to run with a pace group, this is a good time to introduce yourself and confirm the group’s strategy. The Official Shake Out Run on Saturday December 5 starts from the Convention Center area.
CIM Race Weather — Early December in Sacramento
| Condition | Typical for December, Sacramento |
|---|---|
| Start temperature (7 AM) | Mid-40s to low 50s°F / 7–12°C — cold at the gun |
| Temperature by 10 AM | Mid-50s to low 60s°F / 12–16°C — comfortable |
| Humidity | Moderate — valley fog possible in the early miles |
| Rain risk | Possible but not typical — race runs rain or shine |
| PR suitability | High — among the best conditions of any US marathon |
The weather at CIM is the opposite of Honolulu’s. Where Honolulu asks you to survive the heat, Sacramento asks you to manage the cold at the gun and then run through a perfect window as the morning warms. The fog that sometimes sits in the Sacramento Valley in December sounds worse than it is — it usually clears by mile 10, and the cooler air it brings is actually helpful for performance. Dress in a throwaway layer you are willing to discard at the start. The race collects thrown clothing from the road.
Prize Money and Elite Information — 2026 USATF Marathon Championships
The 2026 CIM is also the 2026 USATF Marathon Championships, which means the prize structure is a step above a typical CIM year.
Championship Prize Purse (USATF Field Only)
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | $20,000 |
| 🥈 2nd | $12,000 |
| 🥉 3rd | $9,000 |
| 4th | $6,000 |
| 5th | $4,000 |
| 6th | $3,000 |
| 7th | $2,000 |
| 8th | $1,000 |
| 9th | $750 |
| 10th | $500 |
USATF Championship Entry Standards
| Category | Marathon Standard | Half Marathon Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Women — Championship Field | 2:42:00 | 1:15:30 |
| Men — Championship Field | 2:20:00 | 1:05:00 |
| Women — Seeded Start ($153) | 2:49:00 | 1:19:30 |
| Men — Seeded Start ($153) | 2:27:00 | 1:08:30 |
2025 CIM — Race Results and Defending Champions
The 43rd CIM ran on December 7, 2025, as the 2025 USATF Marathon Championships. Conditions were cool and fast. Both course records fell. A record 107 runners hit 2028 Olympic Trials qualifying standards. It was, by most measures, the best single morning of American marathon running in years.
| Place | Men (2025) | Time | Women (2025) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | Futsum Zienasellassie (USA) | 2:09:29 | Molly Born (USA) | 2:24:09 ★ |
| 🥈 2nd | Joseph Whelan (USA) | 2:09:41 | Sara Hall (USA) | 2:24:36 † |
| 🥉 3rd | Cristian Allen (USA) | 2:09:57 | Megan Sailor (USA) | 2:25:16 |
★ Women’s course record (marathon debut) · † Masters course record · All three men broke the previous American course record
Course records: Men 2:07:35 (Tsegay Weldlibanos, 2024) · Women 2:24:09 (Molly Born, 2025)
A few things from 2025 worth knowing before you race 2026: Zienasellassie won CIM in 2022 in 2:11:01 and came back three years later to win again in 2:09:29 — letting Joseph Whelan lead until mile 25 before taking the race in the final stretch. All three men on the podium broke the previous American course record. Whelan and Allen both ran personal bests.
In the women’s race, Molly Born’s 2:24:09 came in her marathon debut. She fell on the homestretch, got up and still won by 27 seconds. Sara Hall’s 2:24:36 in second set a masters course record. The depth was extraordinary — 39 men ran sub-2:15 and 41 women ran sub-2:40 on the same morning. For the full field: 2025 BQ rate was 30.2%. Adaptive winner Tyler Douglass ran 2:04:11. Non-binary winner David Elkwith ran 2:26:12.
Spectator Guide — Best Places to Watch the CIM
The point-to-point course is the one thing that makes CIM harder to spectate than a loop race. If you want to see your runner at multiple points, you need a plan and a car — the 26 miles from Folsom to Sacramento means no single spot covers the whole course. The good news is the official cheer zones are well placed and the final miles into the Capitol are genuinely spectacular.
Note: spectators are not permitted at the start line near Folsom Dam.
| Location | Mile | Why It’s Worth It |
|---|---|---|
| Casa Roble Fundamental HS | 3.1 | First public access point after the start — runners are fresh and moving well here. Good energy early in the race. |
| Halfway cheer zone | 13.1 | Fair Oaks Blvd and California Ave — solid midpoint access. Your runner still has half a race ahead and a cheer here matters. |
| Precision Fuel cheer zone | 19.4 | Watt Ave and Fair Oaks Blvd — runners are deep into the race. Every cheer counts more from here on. |
| CIM Breakthrough Zone | 20.5 | Fair Oaks Blvd at The Pavilions (Arden Way). Race organisers placed maximum crowd support here deliberately — this is where the wall hits. Be loud. It makes a difference. |
| Capitol Mall / State Capitol | 26.2 | The finish. The California State Capitol behind the line is one of the great marathon finish settings in the US. Come here. The crowd is thickest on Capitol Mall and the building makes for extraordinary photos. |
Where to Stay — Hotels for the CIM
CIM’s partner hotel system is built around the bus logistics, which makes it more useful than the typical race hotel list. Where you stay determines which bus you take to the Folsom start — and that shapes your entire race morning.
| Area | Bus | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Sacramento | Bus A | Most runners — closest to Expo and finish | Pickup on J St and K St near Convention Center. Partner hotels at 1230 J Street (across from Convention Center, 4 blocks from finish) and 1209 L Street. Saturday night pasta dinner available at partner hotel. Starbucks opens 4:00 AM race day. |
| Point West | Bus B | Mid-zone option — quieter area | Return bus from finish line to hotel available 11:00 AM – 1:45 PM on N Street between 11th and 12th. |
| Folsom / Near Start | Buses C and D | Runners who want maximum sleep on race morning | Shortest bus ride to start. Return bus available post-race. Slightly longer commute to the Expo on Friday and Saturday. Lake Natoma Inn is a popular choice here. |
Partner hotels are the recommended choice because they have confirmed bus pickup points and return shuttle access after the race. If partner hotels are sold out — and for a USATF Championship year they fill fast — book any accommodation in central Sacramento, which puts you close to the Convention Center Expo and the Capitol finish. Book early: Sacramento fills for CIM weekend across all price points.
International Runners — Getting to Sacramento for the CIM
The CIM does not market itself primarily at international runners the way Honolulu does, but it draws competitors from Europe, Asia, Australia and across the Americas — particularly among runners chasing an Olympic Trials qualifying standard or a competitive BQ. Getting to Sacramento from outside the US takes some planning.
US Entry Requirements
| Passport / Region | Entry Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Waiver Program — UK, Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ, Singapore and 40+ others | ESTA online — typically approved within 72 hours | Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov · 90-day stay authorised · Apply at least 2 weeks before travel |
| India, most of South and Southeast Asia, China, Middle East, Africa and Latin America | B-1/B-2 US tourist visa — consulate interview required | Indian runners: apply 3–4 months ahead. Appointment slots limited especially in Delhi and Mumbai. Processing times vary by consulate. |
| All international visitors | Valid passport for duration of stay | Most carriers require 6 months’ validity beyond return date — check before booking flights |
Getting to Sacramento
Sacramento International is a mid-size airport with solid domestic connections but limited international routes. Most international runners will connect through a US hub.
From India: No direct flights to Sacramento or nearby. Common routes connect via San Francisco (SFO, about 90 miles from Sacramento) or Los Angeles (LAX). Carriers including Air India, Emirates, United, American and Singapore Airlines all have usable connections. SFO is the more convenient hub — about 90 minutes by car or Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor train. Apply for a B-1/B-2 US tourist visa 3–4 months before race weekend.
From the UK and Europe: No direct routes to SMF. Most runners fly into SFO or LAX and connect to Sacramento. British Airways, Virgin, Lufthansa and KLM all operate to SFO with Sacramento reachable by a short connecting flight or a 90-minute drive.
From Australia: Qantas and United operate SFO connections from Sydney and Melbourne. SFO to Sacramento is a quick hop or a manageable drive — one of the more convenient access routes for international runners.
From Japan and East Asia: SFO connections via multiple carriers. CIM sees growing participation from Japan and South Korea, partly driven by its reputation as an OTQ venue.
From within the US: Southwest, Delta, United and Alaska Airlines all serve SMF directly from major hubs. Flying into SFO and renting a car is also a common approach for domestic runners who want more flight options.
SFO to Sacramento by train: Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor runs between the Bay Area and Sacramento multiple times daily — a comfortable, car-free option for runners arriving into San Francisco.
A Short History of the California International Marathon
The CIM was founded in 1983 by the Sacramento Running Association, which remains the organiser today as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The course was designed that first year by SRA management and has not been altered since — the same roads, the same 366-foot net drop, the same State Capitol finish that has greeted runners for 42 years. The race has grown from a regional event into Sacramento’s largest annual sporting event with an estimated $15 million economic impact on the city.
The race has hosted the USATF Marathon Championships in 2017, 2018, 2022, 2025 and now 2026 — a recurring relationship that reflects the course’s standing as a genuine performance venue. Over 100,000 runners of all speeds have completed the CIM across its history.
The course record progression tracks the evolution of American marathon running. Sara Vaughn broke a women’s record that had stood for eight years when she ran 2:26:53 in 2021. Paige Stoner went 51 seconds faster in 2022. Calli Hauger-Thackery took it to 2:24:28 in 2024. Then Molly Born, 26 years old and running her first marathon, fell on the homestretch in 2025, got up and crossed in 2:24:09 to set a new standard in her debut. On the men’s side, Tsegay Weldlibanos put the record at 2:07:35 in 2024 — a time that, on this course, on this December morning, with this quality of field, someone will eventually chase.
The CIM does not try to compete with Boston on prestige, New York on spectacle or Honolulu on inclusivity. It has carved out a different kind of identity: the marathon that simply gives you the best possible chance to run your fastest time, on a proven course, in perfect December conditions, in a city that treats its race like its biggest day of the year.
The rolling hills of the first 21 miles will ask questions of your legs that a flat course never does. The fall colours through Orangevale and Fair Oaks will give you something to look at while those miles accumulate. The flat final 5 miles into Sacramento will either reward the patience you showed in Folsom or collect the debt from going out too fast. The Capitol building will be at the end either way.
Adding the USATF Marathon Championships in 2026 gives this edition something extra — a deeper field, a bigger prize structure and the best American marathon runners in the country sharing your start line in Folsom on a cold December morning. Whether you are chasing a BQ, a PR or a 2028 Olympic Trials qualifier, this is the course that gives serious runners their best chance.
Race day: December 6, 2026. Bus to the start. Trust the downhill in Folsom. Protect your quads in Fair Oaks. Run the final 5 miles for everything you have left. The Capitol will be waiting.
How the California International Marathon Compares
| Race | Entry | Time Limit | What Defines It |
|---|---|---|---|
| California International Marathon | Tiered, sells out | 6 hours | Fastest in the West · #1 BQ race · USATF Championships · 42-year unchanged course |
| Boston Marathon | Qualifying time | 6 hours | Most prestigious qualifier · oldest US marathon · point-to-point |
| New York City Marathon | Lottery + charity | 8.5 hours | Five boroughs · largest in the world · biggest international field |
| Chicago Marathon | Lottery | 6.5 hours | Among the flattest and fastest in the world · go here for a PR on perfect pavement |
| Tokyo Marathon | Lottery | 7 hours | World Marathon Major · extraordinary organisation · Japanese running culture at its peak |
| Honolulu Marathon | Open — no lottery | None | Pre-dawn fireworks · Hawaiian history · ~50% Japanese field · no-limit policy |
California International Marathon 2026 — Common Questions Answered
When is the California International Marathon 2026?
The California International Marathon runs on Sunday, December 6, 2026, with a 7:00 AM mass start near Folsom Dam. Wheeled and adaptive athletes start at 6:53 AM. The start line closes at 7:30 AM sharp. The Expo runs at the Sacramento Convention Center on Friday December 4 (noon to 7 PM) and Saturday December 5 (9 AM to 5 PM).
Is the CIM a Boston qualifier?
Yes. CIM is USATF certified and one of the top Boston qualifying races in the United States, with a 30.2% BQ rate in 2025. The net elevation drop of 366 feet falls within Boston Marathon Index standards and is not subject to any index penalties or time adjustments. Age group results and BQ times use chip time. Prize money is determined by gun time.
What is the time limit at the CIM?
6 hours. The start line closes at 7:30 AM. The finish line closes at 1:30 PM sharp. The course re-opens to traffic at a 13:44 per mile pace maintained by a California Highway Patrol vehicle. Any runner who falls behind the sweep pace will not be guaranteed race services, fluids, medical support or finisher items including the medal. Buses transport runners who cannot finish within the cutoff to the finish area.
Can I drive to the start?
No. All participants must take the official race bus to the Folsom Dam start area. There are no driving or drop-off options at the start. Bus pickup locations depend on which hotel zone you are staying in. Buses are included in your registration at no additional cost. Bus loading information is published on the CIM transport page during race week.
Is there a lottery for the California International Marathon?
No lottery. CIM uses a tiered first-come, first-served registration system. Entries typically sell out well before race day — for 2026, all standard tiers sold out at record speed. Watch the official registration page at runsra.org for 2027 openings. Set a reminder: they go fast.
Can someone else pick up my race packet?
Yes — unlike some major marathons, CIM allows proxy pickup. Send your representative with a copy of your final instructions including your QR code and a copy of your photo ID. For relay teams, one member picks up for both runners and needs the QR codes for both participants.
What is the weather like at the CIM?
Cool and typically ideal for fast running. Average temperature at the 7 AM gun is in the mid-40s to low 50s Fahrenheit (7–12°C). By mid-morning it rises to the mid-50s to low 60s. Valley fog is possible in the early miles but usually clears by mile 10. Rain is possible but the race runs rain or shine. Dress in a throwaway layer — the course collects discarded clothing from the road.
What is the relay option?
The In-Shape Fitness CIM Relay is a two-person relay covering the full marathon distance. The first leg runs from the Folsom Dam start to the relay exchange zone at approximately mile 13.5 (Manzanita Ave and Fair Oaks Blvd). The second leg runs from there to the Capitol finish. Both runners start at the Convention Center bus pickup — first-leg runners bus to the start, second-leg runners bus to the exchange zone. Relay teams pick up as a unit at the Expo.
What should international runners know about getting to Sacramento?
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has limited international routes, so most runners connect through San Francisco (SFO, about 90 miles away) or Los Angeles (LAX). SFO is the more convenient hub — Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor train connects the Bay Area to Sacramento multiple times daily. US visa requirements apply: ESTA for Visa Waiver Program passport holders, B-1/B-2 tourist visa with consulate interview for Indian and most other South Asian passport holders. Indian runners should apply 3–4 months ahead. There are no direct flights from India to Sacramento.
Is the CIM a good first marathon?
Yes, with one caveat. The net-downhill course is kind to time goals, the field size is manageable and the organisation is excellent. The caveat: the downhill course creates eccentric quad load that flat-course training does not fully prepare you for. Include hill-specific long runs in your build-up and treat the early miles conservatively. The CIM First-Timer Program page at runsra.org has detailed training guidance specifically for this course.