Weather
Climate Avg| Time | Temp | Dew Pt | Humidity | Wind | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 41.5 – 47.6°F | 40° Ideal | 67 – 100% | 5 mph E | Partly cloudy |
| 8:00 AM | 41.3 – 51.2°F | 39° Crisp | 57 – 100% | 5 mph E | Partly cloudy |
| 9:00 AM | 38.5 – 38.5°F | 38° Crisp | 99 – 99% | 3 mph NW | Partly cloudy |
| 10:00 AM | 41.9 – 41.9°F | 41° Ideal | 97 – 97% | 1 mph N | Partly cloudy |
| 11:00 AM | 45.1 – 45.1°F | 44° Ideal | 97 – 97% | 3 mph NE | Partly cloudy |
| Finish | 48.9 – 48.9°F | 46° Ideal | 90 – 90% | 1 mph N | Partly cloudy |
Based on 3-year average for this date. Real forecast available in 127 days.
Elevation Profile
Course Stats
Mile Splits
| Mile | Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | -1.1% |
| 2 | -0.1% |
| 3 | -0.8% |
| 4 | -0.5% |
| 5 | -0.3% |
| 6 | -0.1% |
| 7 | -0.3% |
| 8 | +0.2% |
| 9 | +0.5% |
| 10 | -0.4% |
| 11 | -0.9% |
| 12 | -0.1% |
| 13 | -0.3% |
| 14 | -0.3% |
| 15 | +0.2% |
| 16 | -0.2% |
| 17 | -0.7% |
| 18 | -0.2% |
| 19 | -0.1% |
| 20 | -0.3% |
| 21 | -0.1% |
| 22 | -0.1% |
| 23 | -0.1% |
| 24 | -0.1% |
| 25 | -0.2% |
| 26 | -0.0% |
| 27 | +0.0% |
RM Difficulty Index
Race-Day Weather History
Race-morning conditions on this date over the past 5 years: median 45°F with a 38°F dew point and 3 mph wind. Heat has rarely been a factor.
| Year | Temp | Dew Pt | Wind | Rain | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46°F | 41°F | 3 mph | — | Clear |
| 2023 | 51°F | 38°F | 7 mph | — | Partly cloudy |
| 2021 | 44°F | 43°F | 2 mph | — | Partly cloudy |
| 2020 | 45°F | 37°F | 4 mph | — | Partly cloudy |
| 2016 | 38°F | 36°F | 3 mph | — | Partly cloudy |
Morning conditions (race window) on the California International Marathon calendar date each year, from the ERA5 reanalysis archive — the race’s usual slot, not necessarily each edition’s exact day.
CIM Pace Calculator & Race Plan
CIM (California International Marathon) is a fast, net-downhill course that drops about 300 feet from Folsom to the State Capitol in Sacramento. It's a popular BQ course because the net downhill helps, but the early downhill miles can wreck your quads if you're not careful.
The first 10 miles have the most descent, and it's tempting to let gravity do the work. Our model builds in quad damage from the downhills so your late-race splits reflect what actually happens when you've been braking on descents for an hour.
California International Marathon FAQ
When is the next California International Marathon?›
The next California International Marathon is on Sunday, December 6, 2026.
How long is the California International Marathon?›
The California International Marathon is 26.2 miles (42.195 km), the standard marathon distance. It runs in Folsom to Sacramento, CA.
How much elevation gain does the California International Marathon have?›
The California International Marathon has about 241 ft (73 m) of climbing and 579 ft of descent, with a maximum grade of 1.15%.
Is the California International Marathon flat, downhill, or hilly?›
The California International Marathon is a net downhill course, dropping 338 ft (103 m) from start to finish, with 241 ft of climbing along the way.
How hard is the California International Marathon?›
Runner's Math scores the California International Marathon 17/100 (Fast) — #38 of 38 marathon courses in our library, ranked by modeled time cost. The profile saves about 0:20 versus a flat course for a runner at 4:00-marathon pace.
What's the weather usually like at the California International Marathon?›
Over the past 5 years on this date, median race-morning conditions were 45°F with a 38°F dew point and 3 mph wind. Heat has rarely been a factor.