California International Marathon (CIM): Pacing & Race-Day Strategy
Net-downhill and famously fast — a favorite for Boston qualifiers and PRs.
- Where:
- Sacramento, California
- When:
- December
- Course:
- Net downhill · point-to-point
- Best run as:
- Even pace
Course & elevation
CIM runs point-to-point from Folsom to the State Capitol with roughly 300+ feet of net drop. The first half is a series of rolling downhills (“the rollers”), and the final 10K flattens out fast — a profile built for personal bests, with cool December weather to match.
Key moments
- Mile 1–13Rolling downhills — let them flow without hammering the descents.
- Mile 22A short rise on the J Street / East Sacramento stretch.
- Mile 23–26.2Flat, fast finish toward the Capitol — where PRs are made.
Pacing strategy
Run the rollers by effort: ease the uphills, stay relaxed on the downhills without pounding your quads. Even pacing here naturally yields a strong finish on the flat final 10K.
Plan your mile splits
Enter your goal time to get a mile-by-mile pacing band for California International Marathon (CIM). The even pace option is pre-selected to suit this course.
| Mile | Pace | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:09/mi | 9:09 |
| 2 | 9:09/mi | 18:18 |
| 3 | 9:09/mi | 27:28 |
| 4 | 9:09/mi | 36:37 |
| 5 | 9:09/mi | 45:46 |
| 6 | 9:09/mi | 54:55 |
| 7 | 9:09/mi | 1:04:05 |
| 8 | 9:09/mi | 1:13:14 |
| 9 | 9:09/mi | 1:22:23 |
| 10 | 9:09/mi | 1:31:32 |
| 11 | 9:09/mi | 1:40:41 |
| 12 | 9:09/mi | 1:49:51 |
| 13 | 9:09/mi | 1:59:00 |
| 14 | 9:09/mi | 2:08:09 |
| 15 | 9:09/mi | 2:17:18 |
| 16 | 9:09/mi | 2:26:28 |
| 17 | 9:09/mi | 2:35:37 |
| 18 | 9:09/mi | 2:44:46 |
| 19 | 9:09/mi | 2:53:55 |
| 20 | 9:09/mi | 3:03:05 |
| 21 | 9:09/mi | 3:12:14 |
| 22 | 9:09/mi | 3:21:23 |
| 23 | 9:09/mi | 3:30:32 |
| 24 | 9:09/mi | 3:39:41 |
| 25 | 9:09/mi | 3:48:51 |
| 26 | 9:09/mi | 3:58:00 |
| 26.22 | 9:09/mi | 4:00:00 |
Fueling & hydration
Aid stations roughly every 1.5–2 miles with water and sports drink. The downhill rhythm is easy to ride — keep a disciplined gel schedule so late-race fade doesn’t cost your goal.
Weather
Early-December Sacramento is cold at the start (often 30s–40s) and can bring fog or rain — ideal racing temps once you’re moving.
Train for California International Marathon (CIM)
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