I photographed the Big Sur Marathon recently for the Monterey Herald. I have had the opportunity to photograph the event many times over the years and always look forward to the amazing scenery and great energy surrounding the 26.2 run up the Big Sur coastline. I have ridden up Highway 1 on my bicycle where I mostly photographed the average runners and also ridden on the back of a flatbed where you get the start, make a few stops but tend to get the bulk of your photos of the lead male runners. Here are a few of my favorite images from my recent ride up the coast on the back of the flatbed:
Adam Roach of Pebble Beach leads Jorge Maravilla of Mill Valley up Hurricane Point during the Big Sur Marathon in Big Sur, Calif. on Sunday April 29, 2018. Roach won the race, Maravilla took second. (David Royal for the Monterey Herald)
Members of the Grizzled Vets who have run all 33 Big Sur Marathons gather up for a cheer before the start of the race in Big Sur.(David Royal for the Monterey Herald)
Travis Prater of Corpus Christi, TX spends a moment with his thoughts while warming up under a trash bag before the start of the Big Sur Marathon. (David Royal for the Monterey Herald)
Jorge Maravilla was a very happy runner through most of the race. Here he throws his arms in the air beside a more serious Adam Roach, of Pebble Beach as they run past Point Sur during the Big Sur Marathon in Big Sur, Calif. on Sunday April 29, 2018. Roach won the race, Maravilla took second. (David Royal for the Monterey Herald)
Runners cross Bixby Bridge under grey skies during the Big Sur Marathon in Big Sur, Calif. on Sunday April 29, 2018. (David Royal for the Monterey Herald)
A barefoot woman crosses Bixby Bridge during the Big Sur Marathon in Big Sur, Calif. on Sunday April 29, 2018. (David Royal for the Monterey Herald)
A gallery of more of my photos can be seen here: