Note: This guide does not yet reflect the new split Championship / Mass finish.

The California International Marathon (CIM) is a historic point-to-point race, celebrated for its fast, net-downhill profile that has made it one of the top-10 largest marathons in the U.S. and a premier Boston Qualifier. Beginning in the rolling foothills of Folsom, the course guides runners on a journey to the finish line at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.

For over four decades, this thoughtfully designed course has helped runners of all abilities achieve personal bests, drawing a diverse field from elite athletes to first-time marathoners.

The defining characteristic of CIM is its two-part profile: a rolling, net-downhill first half that transitions into a reliably flat and fast second half. The overall elevation drop of 316 feet is distributed gradually throughout the course, with descents gentle enough to encourage a quick rhythm while being punctuated by short, manageable climbs.

This unique layout rewards strategic pacing—runners who maintain controlled, steady effort through the initial rolling sections can preserve leg strength for a strong, fast finish on Sacramento's flat streets.

Race day in early December typically delivers near-ideal running conditions. Based on five-year averages, runners can expect temperatures in the low 40s at the 7:00 AM start, warming to the high 50s by the finish. With historically minimal precipitation and light winds, weather conditions generally work in runners' favor.

Plan for a cool start by dressing in layers that can be shed as the race progresses and the sun warms the course.

• Event Date: December 7, 2025
• Event Type: Road Marathon
• GPX Course Length: 26.22 mi
• Course Type: Point to Point
• TrailScore: 37.23
• Total Ascent: 637.3 ft
• Total Descent: 953.08 ft
• Longest Uphill:
  • Starting at Mile 12.19, 0.31 mi at an average grade of 1.45%
• Longest Downhill:
  • Starting at Mile 2.16, 0.52 mi at an average grade of -1.75%
• Steepest Uphill:
  • Starting at Mile 11.16, 0.21 mi at an average grade of 3.72%
• Steepest Downhill:
  • Starting at Mile 10.23, 0.1 mi at an average grade of -4.82%
• Significant Climbs:
  • There are a total of 6 significant climbs on the course.
• Significant Descents:
  • There are a total of 9 significant descents on the course.
• Grade Distribution:
  • Flat: 58.3%
  • Minor Decline: 20.9%
  • Minor Incline: 13.8%
  • Moderate Decline: 4.3%
  • Moderate Incline: 2.8%

The marathon begins on Folsom-Auburn Road with a 7:00 AM start, meaning you'll be running in the cool, dim light of early morning. The course immediately shows its character with a series of rolling hills. While the net direction trends downhill, this section isn't a simple descent—it features four of the course's six significant climbs. These climbs are short but require measured effort to avoid costly heart rate spikes.

The route takes you from Folsom into Orangevale and Citrus Heights, primarily along Oak Avenue before turning onto Fair Oaks Boulevard around mile 5.8. The terrain constantly changes, with gentle downhills followed by brief uphill pushes.

This undulating profile demands a strategic approach to pacing. Use the declines to find your rhythm while maintaining steady, conservative effort on the inclines. This approach helps preserve leg strength for the latter stages of the race.

• Pacing Discipline: The combination of race day excitement and a net-downhill profile creates a strong temptation to start too fast. Adhere to your target effort level, not just pace, to avoid burning out before the flatter sections.
• Managing the Rollers: The frequent, short climbs can tax your quads if run too aggressively. Focus on maintaining a consistent effort—shortening your stride on the way up—rather than trying to hold a specific pace.

• Climb #1: Mile 0.93 to Mile 1.13, 0.21 mi, avg grade 3.28%, total gain 35.5 ft
• Climb #2: Mile 1.34 to Mile 1.44, 0.1 mi, avg grade 3.72%, total gain 20.01 ft
• Climb #3: Mile 3.82 to Mile 3.92, 0.1 mi, avg grade 3.63%, total gain 19.65 ft
• Climb #4: Mile 7.46 to Mile 7.66, 0.2 mi, avg grade 2.87%, total gain 30.97 ft

• Descent #1: Mile 0.62 to Mile 0.93, 0.31 mi, avg grade -2.81%, total drop 45.41 ft
• Descent #2: Mile 1.23 to Mile 1.34, 0.1 mi, avg grade -3.04%, total drop 16.57 ft
• Descent #3: Mile 1.54 to Mile 1.64, 0.1 mi, avg grade -4.7%, total drop 25.92 ft
• Descent #4: Mile 2.58 to Mile 2.68, 0.1 mi, avg grade -3.36%, total drop 18.5 ft
• Descent #5: Mile 2.89 to Mile 2.99, 0.1 mi, avg grade -3.22%, total drop 17.59 ft

• Station 1 - American River Canyon & Oak (Mile 2.2)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 2 - Beech & Oak (Mile 4.2)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 3 - Woodmore Oaks & FOB (Mile 6.4)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix, PF 30 Energy Gels, PF 30 Caffeine Gels, PF30 Chews & Fruit
  • Toilet: Yes

• In-Shape Family Fitness Cheer Zone (~Mile 7.8) (Spectator Zone): First major cheer zone on the course, located near the intersection of Fair Oaks Blvd & McCain Rd.

Continuing along Fair Oaks Boulevard, this section takes you through the communities of Carmichael and Fair Oaks. The rolling nature of the course persists here and contains the final two significant climbs of the entire marathon.

Just after mile 10.2, you'll encounter the steepest downhill segment of the race—a short, sharp drop into Old Fair Oaks Village that requires a quick adjustment in stride. Shortly after recovering from this descent, the steepest uphill of the day awaits between miles 11.16 and 11.37. Though brief, this climb is noticeable and demands respect.

The terrain here requires continued focus on effort management. Around mile 13.1, you'll pass the halfway point, a key psychological marker in the race. This segment features several major spectator zones, including the relay exchange and halfway point cheer stations, which can provide a welcome mental boost.

As you move through this section, the cumulative effect of the hills will begin to make itself known. Consistent fueling and hydration become crucial here to ensure you maintain strength for the second half of the race.

• Maintain Effort on the Steepest Climb: The climb at mile 11.16 is the sharpest on the course. While short, it can break your rhythm. Maintain a consistent effort and use the subsequent flat and downhill sections to recover your pace.
• Control Your Cadence on the Steepest Descent: The quick drop near mile 10.2 requires controlled running to avoid excessive quad impact. Focus on a quick, light turnover rather than over-striding and braking.

• Climb #5: Mile 10.44 to Mile 10.65, 0.21 mi, avg grade 2.73%, total gain 29.66 ft
• Climb #6: Mile 11.16 to Mile 11.37, 0.21 mi, avg grade 3.72%, total gain 40.49 ft

• Descent #6: Mile 10.23 to Mile 10.34, 0.1 mi, avg grade -4.82%, total drop 25.92 ft
• Descent #7: Mile 10.75 to Mile 11.06, 0.31 mi, avg grade -3.71%, total drop 60.53 ft
• Descent #8: Mile 11.78 to Mile 12.19, 0.41 mi, avg grade -2.39%, total drop 51.87 ft

• Station 4 - Madison & FOB (Mile 8.5)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 5 - Old Fair Oaks (Mile 10)
  • Offerings: Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 6 - Hollister & FOB (Mile 12)
  • Offerings: Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 7 - Sutter & FOB (Mile 13.6)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix, PF 30 Energy Gels, PF 30 Caffeine Gels, PF30 Chews & Fruit
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 8 - El Camino & FOB (Mile 15.1)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes

• Fair Oaks History Center & Museum (~Mile 10.03): Historical point of interest in Old Fair Oaks Village.
• In-Shape Family Fitness Relay Exchange Zone (~Mile 12.8) (Spectator Zone): Key relay exchange point and spectator area located at Fair Oaks Blvd & Manzanita Ave.
• In-Shape Family Fitness Halfway Point (~Mile 13.1) (Spectator Zone): Official halfway cheer zone at Fair Oaks Blvd & California Ave.

As you exit Carmichael, the course profile transitions dramatically. The rolling hills give way to long, flat, and straight sections of Fair Oaks Boulevard as you approach the Sacramento city limits. This part of the race is defined by its flatness—nearly 70% of this section is categorized as flat. The change in terrain calls for a mental and physical shift from managing hills to finding and maintaining a consistent, powerful rhythm.

For many runners, this is where the marathon truly begins. The notorious 'wall' at mile 20 looms large in this section, which is why race organizers have strategically placed the CIM Breakthrough Zone cheer station here to provide crucial support when you need it most.

Your ability to maintain focus and effort on these long, straight stretches will largely depend on two key factors: how well you managed your pace through the earlier rolling sections and how consistently you've fueled throughout the race. This stretch offers an opportunity to lock into a strong, steady rhythm and begin making up ground on runners who may have started too aggressively.

• Lock In Your Rhythm: After nearly 17 miles of varied terrain, the shift to a relentlessly flat profile can be a challenge. Find and maintain a steady marathon-effort rhythm without the grade variations to break it up.
• Mental Fortitude: The long, straight roads can be mentally taxing. Break this section down into smaller segments, focusing on landmarks or the next aid station, to help maintain concentration.
• Conquer the Wall: The CIM Breakthrough Zone at mile 20 is aptly named. This is the point where glycogen stores run low. Consistent fueling in the preceding miles is the key to pushing through this critical period.

• None.

• Descent #9: Mile 17.69 to Mile 17.79, 0.1 mi, avg grade -3.15%, total drop 17.29 ft

• Station 9 - Walnut & FOB (Mile 16.5)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 10 - Savirien & FOB (Mile 17.9)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 11 - Watt & FOB (Mile 19.4)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 12 - Monroe & FOB (Mile 20.4)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 13 - Howe & FOB (Mile 21.4)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix, PF 30 Energy Gels, PF 30 Caffeine Gels, PF30 Chews & Fruit
  • Toilet: Yes

• CIM Breakthrough Zone (~Mile 20) (Spectator Zone): A cheer zone positioned at the critical 20-mile mark, located at Fair Oaks Blvd & Arden Way.

The final four miles are entirely flat and fast, staged within the city of Sacramento. After crossing the Guy West Bridge, the course makes its way onto J Street, then takes a few turns to guide you onto L Street for a long straightaway towards the Capitol. The architecture of the city and the increasing roar of the crowd signal that the finish line is near.

This entire section is almost perfectly flat, providing no topographic relief but offering an ideal opportunity to finish strong if you have paced the race well.

The course makes a right turn from L Street onto 8th Street, followed by a quick left onto Capitol Mall for the final, iconic straightaway. The magnificent California State Capitol building serves as a powerful backdrop for the finish line.

The energy from the crowds lining Capitol Mall is electric, providing a final surge of motivation as you chase down your goal.

• Maintain Form and Cadence: On flat ground with high fatigue, form can break down. Focus on maintaining a quick cadence and upright posture to run efficiently to the finish.
• Run the Tangents: The turns from Alhambra onto L Street, and then from L Street to 8th Street, are the last significant directional changes. Running the shortest possible line can save precious seconds.
• Empty the Tank: This is where disciplined pacing pays off. The flat profile allows you to give whatever energy you have remaining without the challenge of a final climb.

• None.

• None.

• Station 14 - Elvas Bridge (Mile 22.3)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 15 - 40th & J St. (Mile 23.5)
  • Offerings: Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 16 - Sutter's Fort (Mile 24.5)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes
• Station 17 - 19th & L St. (Mile 25.3)
  • Offerings: Water, Precision Hydration Carb & Electrolyte Drink Mix
  • Toilet: Yes

• Sutter Health Never Stop Zone (~Mile 24.6) (Spectator Zone): A late-race cheer zone at 28th & L St to provide a boost for the final push.
• Sutter's Fort State Historic Park (~Mile 24.71): Runners pass this historic park, an important landmark in Sacramento's history.
• Finish Line Spectator Bleachers (~Mile 26.2) (Spectator Zone): Bleachers set up on Capitol Mall for spectators to watch the finish.