I grew up riding horses and competing at Pebble Beach, so I spent many of my summers in Monterey. We used to go out to barn dinners in downtown Carmel and Monterey. So when BibRave asked me if I wanted to run in the Monterey Bay Half Marathon, I jumped at the opportunity!
I received entry to the Monterey Bay Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro.
I have heard nothing but great things about this race, it’s a fun and beautiful course. The course starts near the Fisherman’s Wharf, goes through Cannery Row, then along the coast until it turns around and heads back. There is music along the course as it winds down the coastline, so there are lots of ocean views.
This is also a great opportunity to see some elite runners from across the country race and run with them. Well I guess you wouldn’t be running with them.. but you can say you got to run with elite runners! Plus it will be incredibly motivating to see them run.
The Monterey Bay Half Marathon is also offering free race clinics by some of these female athletes! Come learn about strength training, conditioning your mind, and the science surrounding women-specific running. These clinics will take place on Saturday, November 11 at the fitness expo between 12 and 3pm. The Fitness Expo will be at the Portola Hotel and Spa in downtown Monterey.
Fun Fact: The gender split at this year’s Monterey Bay Half Marathon is 65% female to 35% male.
I will also be doing the 5k the day before as well, as an extra challenge for myself. And then I’ll be stopping by the expo to listen to the speeches. I can’t wait to hear from some of the leading women runners!
If you’ve never been to Monterey before, it’s a beautiful coastal town in Central California. It is also home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, so bring the family to cheer you on and then head to the aquarium after your run!
Back in August, I ran the Salinas Valley Half Marathon which is run by the same people. It was a very fun experience; all of the volunteers at the expo and along the course were extremely friendly and encouraging and the post race area offered great snacks and chocolate milk (my favorite). So I am excited to run another one of their events.
Wow this is amazing! You go girl! The race looks so beautiful and even though I am not a runner it makes me want to join! 🙂
Haha you could walk it if you wanted. But Monterey is gorgeous so I think this race will be really fun with the great views!
LOVE your photos! Oh my gosh, those views!
I know! It’s such a beautiful area, I can’t wait to run it!
Good luck! I am sure you are going to rock it. Here in Boston we have a full marathon and I always know so many people that train all year long for it.
Thank you Robin! The Boston Marathon is super popular, but you have to be really fast to qualify lol. Maybe in a few years I’ll get there 🙂
This looks like a cool run, but no way would I ever do a marathon. I’d go to cheer everyone on though!
That is absolutely awesome. I totally admire you for doing this. That race looks like it would be a beautiful place to have one. You could enjoy the scenery while doing the marathon.
Thank you Jeanette! I think the views will make the run pass by so quickly. It’s such a gorgeous area.
This is a wonderful experience along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the US. We went hiking there a few years back. What a rush!
Oh I need to get down there and hike! I went years ago but I’d love to go more often, especially since I live so close.
This sounds like a wonderful marathon! My husband has taken up running. Although he is not currrently training for a marathon, he is committed to waking up every day early and going for a long run.
It’s so rewarding, and a great way to begin the day! You should join him sometime!
Way to go and keep on running. Beautiful place to run a 1/2 marathon. Keep inspiring people you know and even those you don’t by blogging.
I keep trying to talk all my friends into running with me, no luck yet though. But I’m going to keep trying to inspire and motivate others 🙂
This post made me a little homesick. I’m from the S.F. Bay Area and Monterey Bay is such a beautiful area. We’ve visited several times. I cannot imagine running through it without stopping to “ooh” and “aah” at the scenic beauty of the coastline.
Oops! Whereabouts did you live?? I love going to Monterey, it’s so beautiful. And I’m fully expecting to stop and look at the waves a few times lol so I’m not setting any goals for myself this race.
Sounds like an amazing course and race. Good luck with training.
Thank you Kay! I think it will be a beautiful run.
Wow you have done absolutely amazingly well done you and what a lovely looking place for a race to take part.
Thank you Sarah! I think it’ll be a great run, and it’s definitely a beautiful area!
That is going to be a beautiful run. I would have a hard time not stopping to look at all the scenery.
Haha I definitely plan to stop and look at the coastline, so I’m not setting any goals for this race.
I really love running! It’s really amazing to see or to witness this kind of event!
I think it will be so inspiring to see the elite runners on course!
Training up for this and completing the race should be so rewarding! The races will be a really good time and I like that you can go to the expo too!
I think they will be too! It’s such a beautiful area, I’m so excited to run there.
Wow, the endurance it takes to run any marathon is amazing. Good luck on your 5K and this one as it looks like a beautiful place.
Thank you Anita! I love running, it’s definitely easier outside with great views though!
Sounds like a beautiful run. I like exercise a lot better when it’s somewhere nice and pretty.
Right?! The time just seems to fly by because you have great views!
Now this is a half marathon I would love to try. The coastal views are really scenic and the have a lot of gimmicks within the race too.
You definitely should! Monterey is a gorgeous area and I think the race will be so fun! I ran another one of their races earlier this year and it was really fun, lots of music along the course and even a guy in a dinosaur suit!
Good luck to you!! I am a totally running newbie but I hope I am strong enough to run a marathon one day!!
Sounds like a great run. There are some seriously amazing views there! I haven’t been out to Monterey Bay but it seems like a great place for a run between the weather and scenery.
You are bad-A, keep up the good work! Also, what a beautiful place to get to run, I’d love it just for the views!
Wow this sounds pretty impressive! Good luck, I have always wanted to do some type of marathon hopefully one day I can! So awesome!
What a fun marathon! It looks like there’s some awesome views to run to, too. Good luck with training – it sounds like a blast!
Wow! This course is absolutely amazing. these photos are simply stunning. I’d love to run this one!