The California International Marathon is one of the premier marathons for elite and sub-elite runners, welcoming runners of all abilities looking to achieve incredible marathon goals.
For 40 years, CIM has been a top location to set a personal record, qualify for the Boston Marathon, and be a part of the running community.
Though Sacramento is not your typical top travel destination, you know CIM must be a great race with how many runners accomplish sub-elite goals from BQ’ing to OTQ’ing.
In my eye’s, the California International Marathon is the greatest marathon in the world because it’s a perfect size to have supporters but not the overwhelm of the big city marathons, brings together the best of the best of all running levels, and caps the marathon season in fast fashion.
The goal of this post is to provide California International Marathon race tips, race weekend information, Sacramento suggestions, and general race event information.
For the top tips on how to run your best CIM, check out my post California International Marathon Guide: How to Crush Your Running Goals.
What You’ll Find in This CIM Race Tips Post
- Details regarding arrival into Sacramento for CIM weekend
- Specific CIM Expo Information
- Local Sacramento suggestions
- Shakeout (& Special Pre-Shakeout Shakeout!) Details
- Race Morning Tips
For all intents and purposes, consider this your Sacramento marathon guide for any and everything CIM. I’m willing to link to other great CIM resources so feel free to share them with me on Instagram @RunnerChecklists.
Why Listen to This Guy About CIM?
Hi, my name is David Damron and I’m an avid fan and participant in the California International Marathon.
For the 2023 edition, I’m one of ten CIM ambassadors. Through our dedication, knowledge, and energy, we help those running CIM have an amazing experience.
My belief is that course knowledge is as important as training. Everyone can train hard, but if you don’t have the course knowledge, your race can turn out very differently than desired.
I grew up in Sacramento, California until 22, and still travel back for family and friends multiple times per year. I know every mile and more from driving the Sacramento roads to running in Sacramento.
Through my perspective and experience, I promise that by reading this post you will be better prepared for CIM race day.
Arrival in Sacramento for CIM
The benefit of a smaller city for the California International Marathon is everything is more manageable.
Downtown Sacramento is buzzing from the Friday morning arrival until Monday morning when runners are heading back home.
The energy around the Convention Center is vibrant as your top everyday Joe’s and Jane’s are sharing how their training went, getting their final shakeout miles in, and preparing for a fast CIM course.
The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is popular enough to accompany flights from most major airports. Upon arrival, you could be at the baggage claim in under 5 minutes.
Travel Tip: Don’t rent a car if possible. Uber and Lyft are easily accessible at the airport and are a 10-minute ride to downtown Sacramento. If staying in downtown Sacramento, you can walk short distances to and from the Expo, restaurants, and the start/finish area. If you are staying at a place within 10 minutes of the capitol, also rely on ride-sharing instead of dealing with a rental car.
Downtown Sacramento
Once you get to downtown Sacramento, assuming you are staying down there, there are plenty of restaurants near the capitol and at DOCO.
Some great places to relax and get off your feet are the hotel lobbies of the Sheraton and the Hyatt. These are central hubs for many runners staying downtown. You’ll find plenty of fellow marathon runners willing to talk about the weekend and everything going on down there.
Upon arriving at the hotel or AirBNB you are staying at, lay out all of your race day gear commonly known as your #flatrunner.
If you are missing something, now is the time to know. This gives you plenty of time to get your requirements covered at the Expo or at the local running store Fleet Feet (more on these below).
Navigating the CIM Expo
The California International Marathon Expo & Packet Pick-up will be bigger than ever in 2023, but still 100% manageable.
The CIM Expo is located at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center.
The CIM Expo is not overwhelming. Unlike the major marathons, you can be in and out of the Expo within 30 minutes even in the busiest times.
Efficiency matters as we don’t want to be wandering too long at the Expo. My suggestion is to get your bib first then check out what’s expected to be a larger Asics CIM apparel “store” section. Make sure to take a picture at the big CIM letters.
As with any marathon Expo, there are vendors selling the necessities. If you need any last-minute race gels, electrolytes, gloves, arm sleeves, etc., you will find them at the Expo.
The Expo doesn’t have what I need. WHAT DO I DO?!?!?!
Let’s say the Expo is out of your favorite gel and you must have it or your race day shoes blew a flat tire and you need a pair ASAP. The original Fleet Feet store is located in midtown about a 3-5 minute Uber ride. Highly suggest getting over there to secure your last-minute needs should they not be available at the Expo.
At the CIM Expo, you’ll find plenty of helpful volunteers willing to provide race guidance and overall city/local information. I highly suggest taking a moment to ask questions of these volunteers as they will tend to be the friendliest, most helpful for questions like, “Where can I get a sandwich?”, “Where’s the nearest place to get XYZ?”, or “When will ABC happen?”
Usually, as we get closer to the weekend, CIM will announce special guest speakers you can check out for free. In the past, Matt Chittim of the Rambling Runner podcast has recorded interviews that you can attend.
If you see me at the Expo, make sure to stop me and say, “Hi!” Though I’m not photogenic, I’m always down to take a picture as we celebrate the weekend.
Where to Get Groceries
I don’t know why this is not a bigger talking point in the marathon community.
This always seems to be the biggest hassle and necessity on race weekend for those of us coming from out of town.
You will probably be eating out but you still want the standard foods you are accustomed to. I also have specific wants for my race morning breakfast.
The following are within a 5 minute Uber/Lyft ride.
- Safeway (3-minute drive from Convention Center) – Your standard grocery store.
- Sacramento Natural Coop (5-minute drive from Convention Center) – More specialty and organic food choices.
Where to Eat in Sacramento During California International Marathon Weekend
This section will be slightly limited as I no longer live in Sacramento. However, I have a few spots I recommend and enjoy.
Disclaimer: If you have a horrible experience at one of these, don’t be mad at your favorite CIM ambassador.
- Old Spaghetti Factory | (5-minute Uber/Lyft from Convention Center) Carb up baby! This is arguably the most popular place for marathon runners on race weekend. Saturday can be a nightmare there due to crowds so call ahead to make sure the whole place isn’t already reserved.
- OneSpeed | (10-12-minute Uber/Lyft from Convention Center) I hesitate to even mention this place as this is my go-to pizza joint for every Sacramento race. Y’all better leave me a seat. Get the focaccia bread.
- Yardhouse | (15-minute walking distance from Convention Center / might want to Uber/Lyft to save legs) Standard American cuisine here. If you’re not looking to take risks on some new food choices, this is just like any American restaurant.
- Sauced BBQ | (15-minute walking distance from Convention Center / might want to Uber/Lyft to save legs) More of a post-race location personally, but if you like to fuel with BBQ, this is your spot.
- MidiCi Pizza | (7-10 minute walk from Convention Center) I tried this place last year and it was great. Natural ingredients and cozy restaurant. Highly suggest if you don’t find yourself at OneSpeed.
Friday Unofficial CIM Pre-Shakeout Shakeout
Currently, this one is 99% for sure. I’ll confirm all the details through Instagram and an update to this post closer to CIM.
I’m personally hosting an unofficial, informal, free-for-everyone pre-shakeout shakeout.
Yes, you read that correctly. A pre-shakeout to the Saturday morning shakeout.
The goal of this shakeout is to just move a bit after many of us have flown or drove from long distances. We are not looking to PR our four mile time.
I think joining us will be great to get the bit of race weekend anxiety right before your Friday night meal and rest.
*This will be unaffiliated with the CIM organization and its partners. This is just me as a CIM ambassador getting runners together to answer your questions and shake out those legs.
Any and everyone is welcome to this free running get-together.
Tentative Details (with more to come):
- Friday, December 1st at 4:00 PM
- Starting location: Near Convention Center (More details to come)
- Distance: 4 miles give or take.
- Pace: Probably 10-minute pace. However, I’ll make sure everyone has a buddy for slower paces if desired. No one will be left behind, I promise. I can always slow up my pace too.
- Route around Downtown and Old Sacramento (More details to come).
Saturday Morning Shakeout Run
On Saturday morning, there are thousands of runners getting their shakeout runs done around the capitol.
I’ve run Boston and the shakeout groups were bigger there, but there are just as many at CIM.
There’s no shortage of different running groups, social media influencers, and running companies putting on their shakeout run.
New to 2023, BPN is sponsoring the Official CIM Shakeout run at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
If you’re not running CIM, you can still join us for the shakeout run. Everyone is welcome.
Joining BPN will be CIM ambassadors, including myself, to help you get primed for race day.
If you can’t make the BPN x CIM shakeout run, no worries. All you need to do is join one of the many other welcoming shakeout runs throughout Saturday morning.
Night Before CIM
Prepping for the marathon the night before can be anxiety-inducing. The only thing more anxiety-inducing is not prepping the night before.
Here are my Sacramento/Folsom-specific suggestions for what to have prepped the night before CIM.
***Quick note: There is NO BAG DROP OFF at the start. You’ll see below that I mention a few things to wear/bring to the start. If you are not carrying them on you to the finish, these items will be donated and/or trashed by the race organizers. You CANNOT get them after the race.
The Prep
- Race clothes/shoes/socks/fuel: If it’s going to be on your body during the race, it needs to be laid out. These are standard and nothing surprising here. Let’s move on to the lesser-known things.
- Old running shoes: Let’s say you are dressed and headed to the bus at 4:45. If you wear your running shoes to the race, that’s 2+ hours prior to the race you’re in the shoe you want to carry you for 26 miles. These days, I wear an older pair of training shoes that I would have been donating/trashing already and wear them to the start. I’ve not always done this but have for the last 4 marathons and it’s so nice to put on the fresh marathon shoes 20-30 minutes prior to the start. *Discarded shoes will be donated to local community organizations.
- Cheap/Old Sweats: Folsom (where the race starts) can be cold, humid, and/or rainy on race morning at 6 am. Keep an eye on the forecast. In 2022, it was pouring in Sacramento at 5 am but a drizzle up in Folsom. I either buy old sweats at Goodwill or the cheapest on Amazon just to wear until 30 minutes before the race. You don’t want to start the race freezing or with the cold shivers. Worst case scenario, you’re too warm and you just strip them off upon arrival. Depending on the rain forecast, I’ll also wear a garbage bag or poncho to stay dry. *Discarded attire will be donated to local community organizations.
- Two water bottles: If getting on the bus at 5 am, that’s two hours pre-race. You need to stay hydrated. There is usually water by cup at the start, but I like to have my own water bottles. One is pure water and the other has an electrolyte mix of my choice. It’s good to have both options pre-race depending on what your body wants.
- Pre-race fuel: I usually have a banana and a Clif bar with me. Sometimes I eat both and other times neither. It’s best to have some fuel to eat on the bus or upon arrival.
Regarding bedtime, you don’t need me to tell you to get to bed early. We all have our own night before the race routine which should not change for CIM.
California International Marathon Race Morning
The nerves are obviously flowing through your body as you awake Sunday morning for the California International Marathon.
You marathon veterans probably know this but it doesn’t hurt to repeat the standard advice for marathon morning. These are not specific to CIM, but friendly reminders.
- Take a 10-minute walk around your hotel lobby as soon as you wake up. This gets the blood flowing and helps get the digestive aspects flowing as well. If you know, you know. If you don’t, just stay within mad dash distance of a bathroom on your walk. You’ll thank me later.
- Do NOT drink too much caffeine. I usually make myself a cup of coffee in the hotel room and before taking a glorious first sip, I dump out all but about two fingers high worth of coffee. I learned that general consumption amount tip from Seth James Demoor. If I don’t first dump out the majority, I end up over-consuming caffeine and it messes up the attempt to balance energy pre-race.
CIM-Specific Morning Information
My #1 piece of advice for California International Marathon race morning is to get on the bus or, at the least, be in line to get on the bus by 5 am.
Why?
The bus ride is about an hour to the start. The school buses aren’t fast. By getting on a bus that’s left by 5:10 am and if the ride takes an hour, that gives you plenty of time to get ready at the start and more importantly, in line for the port-a-potties.
If you get to the location of the race super early and want to stay warm and dry, if it rains, you are allowed to stay on the buses which park at the race and don’t leave until we are off and racing.
It’s better to be there early and hang out on the bus a little longer than to have to rush to hit the bathrooms and get ready because you got on the bus late.
Fun Fact: CIM prides itself on being one of, if not the, highest port-a-potty-to-runner ratios.
Even with the incredible number of port-a-potties, the lines do get long.
Port-a-Potty Tip: Go to the furthest-from-the-start ones as the lines are shorter. You’ll understand once you’re there.
For all transportation information to the race start, check out the California International Marathon dedicated transportation page and/or CIM’s race transportation video below.
Whatever you do, give yourself extra time as it never hurts to be early but can definitely impact everything when late.
To the Start Line
At the bus drop-off, there’s no big long walk to the start of the marathon. You are at the start right off the bus.
California International Marathon running corrals can become a nightmare quickly. There’s a fine line between entering the corrals too early or too late. I would say entering the corrals 15-20 minutes prior to start time is ideal.
I’d suggest wearing any sweatshirt top or other warm upper body apparel until 5 minutes before the race. Standing there in the corral, you will be packed like sardines but still may want to stay warm.
I definitely would take off any sweatpants before entering the corral. It’s crowded in the corral at CIM so getting these off would be tough in the corral.
Did I Miss Something
If you think some other guidance and information would be beneficial to other CIM runners, hit me up on Instagram @DavidDamron and I’ll try to get it added here.
You’re Ready for CIM
Now that you’re ready to run the California International Marathon, you might want to check out my tips on How to Run the California International Marathon.
I believe that if you implement these race weekend strategies, you can accomplish great things at CIM. Build out your own unique plan, do your best to stay off your feet throughout the weekend, and have an amazing time.
