CIM to double in size by adding a second wave in 2027

The California International Marathon, which began over 40 years ago with fewer than 2,000 runners, will double its capacity in 2027 by adding a second wave, Visit Sacramento announced at its State of Tourism event on Wednesday. “It’s grown so much in popularity. It used to sell out in July. This year, it sold out in February with 6,000 runners on the list before they cut that off,” said Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento. The CIM attracts runners from around the world due to its relatively flat course and favorable fall-like weather. “You got a really fast course. People come and are trying to get Boston qualifiers, personal bests. We have the number one Olympic Trials qualifying marathon in the world,” said Scott Abbott, executive director of CIM. Abbott said the expansion could elevate CIM to become the fifth-largest marathon in the United States. “Maybe only behind, you know, the major marathons—Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and then Sacramento,” Abbott said. Testa highlighted the broader impact of the expansion. “For an event that has 10,000 to 11,000 athletes, this will allow us to double the capacity of CIM. And you double the capacity, and you double the economic impact of it,” Testa said. The increase will mean a big boost for hotels and restaurants in Sacramento. Testa noted marathoners typically stay a couple of days on either end of the race to prepare or recover, and they often bring friends or family members to watch the race as well. To accommodate the additional runners, roads will remain closed for 45 minutes to an hour longer than before. This adjustment will also allow organizers to extend the time limit for runners, which was previously set at six hours. The new plan will extend the time limit to at least six hours and 45 minutes, ensuring more participants can complete the race and receive medals. “You certainly have the pros and the die-hards who are going to be at the front of the pack. But then you have a lot of people who just want to say they’ve done a marathon, but they train really hard for that. To be pulled off the course because of a time limit, it has to be heart-wrenching. So to give them an extra 45 minutes to an hour, I think will allow a lot of people to reach that goal,” Testa said. Abbott noted that interest in running has grown significantly in recent years. “I think there is a little bit of a running boom going on right now. There’s a run club culture. Running has become so inclusive. It’s a sport that’s an extension of the pandemic, where people were able to do it when a lot of things were closed down,” Abbott said. He added that the extended time limit will have a meaningful impact. “Just a little bit more time is going to have a massive benefit to our community,” Abbott said. The December 2026 race will remain the same as it has been for the last 42 years. More details about the new changes will be announced ahead of the 2027 race.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

The California International Marathon, which began over 40 years ago with fewer than 2,000 runners, will double its capacity in 2027 by adding a second wave, Visit Sacramento announced at its State of Tourism event on Wednesday.

“It’s grown so much in popularity. It used to sell out in July. This year, it sold out in February with 6,000 runners on the list before they cut that off,” said Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento.

The CIM attracts runners from around the world due to its relatively flat course and favorable fall-like weather.

“You got a really fast course. People come and are trying to get Boston qualifiers, personal bests. We have the number one Olympic Trials qualifying marathon in the world,” said Scott Abbott, executive director of CIM.

Abbott said the expansion could elevate CIM to become the fifth-largest marathon in the United States.

“Maybe only behind, you know, the major marathons—Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and then Sacramento,” Abbott said.

Testa highlighted the broader impact of the expansion.

“For an event that has 10,000 to 11,000 athletes, this will allow us to double the capacity of CIM. And you double the capacity, and you double the economic impact of it,” Testa said.

The increase will mean a big boost for hotels and restaurants in Sacramento. Testa noted marathoners typically stay a couple of days on either end of the race to prepare or recover, and they often bring friends or family members to watch the race as well.

To accommodate the additional runners, roads will remain closed for 45 minutes to an hour longer than before. This adjustment will also allow organizers to extend the time limit for runners, which was previously set at six hours.

The new plan will extend the time limit to at least six hours and 45 minutes, ensuring more participants can complete the race and receive medals.

“You certainly have the pros and the die-hards who are going to be at the front of the pack. But then you have a lot of people who just want to say they’ve done a marathon, but they train really hard for that. To be pulled off the course because of a time limit, it has to be heart-wrenching. So to give them an extra 45 minutes to an hour, I think will allow a lot of people to reach that goal,” Testa said.

Abbott noted that interest in running has grown significantly in recent years.

“I think there is a little bit of a running boom going on right now. There’s a run club culture. Running has become so inclusive. It’s a sport that’s an extension of the pandemic, where people were able to do it when a lot of things were closed down,” Abbott said.

He added that the extended time limit will have a meaningful impact.

“Just a little bit more time is going to have a massive benefit to our community,” Abbott said.

The December 2026 race will remain the same as it has been for the last 42 years.

More details about the new changes will be announced ahead of the 2027 race.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel