Big Sur International Marathon 2023: A Celebration of Endurance and Local Talent
The 2023 Big Sur International Marathon took place on April 27, showcasing exceptional talent and determination among nearly 9,000 runners from 41 countries. The event, known for its stunning scenery along Highway 1, featured multiple race formats, including relays and various distance categories.
Men’s Marathon Results
Dominating the men’s marathon, Simon Ricci from San Francisco successfully defended his title. He finished with a remarkable time of 2:31:04, maintaining an impressive pace of 5:45 per mile. This victory, although shy of his previous year’s record of 2:29:30, secured him a leading margin of five minutes over Wisconsin’s Jake Erschen, who placed second.
Women’s Marathon Competition
In the women’s division, Serena Burla from Stafford, Virginia emerged victorious with a time of 2:49:40, marking an outstanding performance in the challenging race conditions.
Local Achievements
- Adam Roach from Pacific Grove finished fifth overall in the men’s race.
- Kelsey Alves from Salinas was the top local female runner, securing 25th place with a time of 3:24:21.
- Lu Wen Chuang of Carmel achieved the best time in her age group among women, completing the marathon just over four hours.
- Penny Parch, 72, became the first woman over 70 to finish the race, with a time of 4:19:54.
- At 72, Michael Sosnowski of Carmel Valley finished in 4:16:02.
Community Involvement
Keely Richter, the business development director at The Weekly, participated in the mixed relay with her team, Relay for Rachael-Alex’s Washouts, finishing 24th out of 58 teams. Former Weekly associate editor Tajha Chappellet-Lanier completed the marathon in 3:44:58.
Additional Race Highlights
Other notable outcomes from the event included:
- 21-mile Title: Ervin Velasquez from Los Angeles took the top spot, while Kaeloni Neville from Kalispell, Montana won the women’s division.
- 11-mile Results: Michael Charbonneau from Santa Cruz and Rebecca Taylor-Perryman from Monterey claimed victories.
- 12K Champions: Braulio Ramirez and Margaret Urheim dominated in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.
- 5K Winners: Daniel Clarke outperformed Diego Garcia, while Lanée Lammers narrowly secured victory over 16-year-old Selah Kwasnoski.
Master Athletes Showcased
The event also highlighted senior participation, including 86-year-old Carl Outzen of Monterey in the 12K and 93-year-old Marty Rosen from Carmel in the 5K, exemplifying the enduring spirit of marathon running.
The Big Sur International Marathon not only showcases athleticism but also emphasizes the local community’s engagement and resilience in the face of challenge. With a combination of competitive fervor and picturesque landscapes, this event continues to be a highlight on the marathon calendar.
