Quick answer
The 2026 California International Marathon runs on Sunday, December 6, from the Folsom foothills to the California State Capitol in downtown Sacramento. For a group, the plan is simple: runners take the early race buses, supporters cheer once on the course and once near the finish, and everyone regroups at one house for a long recovery meal.
The details below come from the official race site, checked today. Some pages, such as the finish line layout, still show last year's details while the race updates them, so check the official site the week before you go.
Key takeaways
- The 2026 California International Marathon is on Sunday, December 6, on a point-to-point course from Folsom to the California State Capitol.
- The race site lists a 7:00 a.m. mass start and a six-hour time limit, with the finish closing at 1:30 p.m.
- Runners can't drive themselves or be dropped off near the start, so they ride the free race buses, which leave between about 4:30 and 6:00 a.m.
- Supporters can see a runner twice with a car: once in Fair Oaks or at the halfway point, then near mile 25 or the Capitol Mall finish.
- One house for the whole group makes the 4am alarm, the gear sorting and the recovery meal much easier than scattered hotel rooms.
In this guide
The race at a glance
CIM is a point-to-point road marathon with a 7:00 a.m. mass start and a six-hour limit. The race calls its course "net-downhill" and says it has stayed the same for 42 years. This year it also hosts the USATF Marathon Championships, so the front of the race finishes early and fast.
| Detail | What the race site lists |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, December 6, 2026 |
| Start | Folsom foothills, on Folsom-Auburn Road |
| Finish | California State Capitol, on Capitol Mall |
| Mass start | 7:00 a.m.; sweep runners cross the line at 7:30 a.m. |
| Time limit | Six hours; the finish closes at 1:30 p.m. |
| Runner buses | Free, bib is the ticket, runners only |
| Gear check | Not at the start; at the expo or downtown bus loading on race morning |
| Tracking | RTRT.me app |
Getting runners to the start
Runners can't drive to the start or be dropped off near it, so plan the morning around the race buses. The race says buses no longer park at the start area; they drop runners at points outside it, and runners walk to the line, so it asks them to arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier than usual.
The race lists five loading areas, each with its own cut-off:
| Loading area | Last buses |
|---|---|
| A: SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, downtown Sacramento | Leave by 4:30 a.m. sharp |
| B: Point West, Sacramento | Leave by 5:00 a.m. sharp |
| C and D: Iron Point Road, Folsom | Continuous, 5:00 to 5:30 a.m. |
| E: Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay | Continuous, 5:15 to 6:00 a.m. |
The race warns that there is no promise of parking at any loading area and that cars parked in restricted spots may be towed or ticketed. For a group with one car, the easiest plan is for a supporter to drop the runner at the loading area and drive back to the house, rather than leave a car there all day.
Road closures on race morning
Expect closures along the whole route from the small hours until early afternoon. The race says closures begin as early as 2:00 a.m. at the start and reopen gradually; on Fair Oaks Boulevard, sections reopen between about 10:00 a.m. and 1:55 p.m. The finish area on Capitol Mall, from 5th to 10th Streets, is listed as closed from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
What that means for a group:
- Cross the course early or not at all. The course runs from Folsom through Fair Oaks and into midtown Sacramento; see the course map on the race site. If your house is on the far side from where you want to watch, leave before the closures reach you.
- Use Waze on the day. The race recommends it for live closures and detours, and says police have the final say.
- Don't plan a big breakfast out. Restaurants near the route are busy and hard to drive to. Eat at the house.
Where supporters should stand
The best plan for most groups is two viewing spots: one early on the course and one near the finish. The race lists these cheer zones:
- Mile 10.1, Old Town Fair Oaks, at Fair Oaks Boulevard and California Avenue. Good energy and a classic small-town stretch.
- Mile 13.1, the halfway point. A natural place to see how the runner is pacing.
- Mile 25, 23rd and L Streets in midtown. One mile from the end, where a runner needs the noise most.
For the championship race, the race says you can get a good view of the top finishers from the grass median near 9th Street and Capitol Mall.
At the finish, last year's layout sent spectators in from the south side through gates at 9th and N Streets and 10th and N Streets, with bag checks, and did not allow drop-offs at the gates; the race pointed rideshares to Roosevelt Park instead. It also said you couldn't cross the course along L Street, with crossings only at 5th and 15th Streets. Check the official finish line page for this year's details before you go.
Meeting your runner
Pick a meeting spot before race day, because phones are hard to use in a finish crowd. The race has used a Runner Reunion Zone on the Capitol Mall grass median between 8th and 9th Streets, with overhead A to Z signs. Choose a letter, usually the runner's last name, and tell everyone in the group chat the night before.
A few habits help:
- Have the runner's bib number and the RTRT.me app on every supporter's phone.
- Agree on a fallback spot and time in case someone gets stuck behind a closure.
- Bring a dry jacket, a warm hat and a snack for the runner. Last year the race also ran a post-race party zone on 10th Street.
Staying together in one house
A house works better than hotel rooms for marathon weekend because the weekend has a strict timetable. Everyone eats the same early dinner on Saturday, the runner goes to bed early in a quiet room, and the 4am alarm only has to wake one person and one driver.
What to look for in a race-weekend house:
| Need | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A bedroom away from the living room | The runner sleeps early while others stay up |
| A full kitchen | Carb dinner Saturday, recovery meal Sunday |
| Washer and dryer | Sweaty race kit and wet layers |
| Parking for two or more cars | One car for the bus drop, one for the cheer team |
| A short drive to your loading area | Every minute counts at 4am |
Our homes in Sacramento and Roseville suit race groups. The Sacramento 7-bedroom home fits a big cheer squad, and the Roseville 5-bedroom home is closer to the Folsom side of the course. Bringing a dog? We welcome up to 3 pets with a $100 pet fee per stay, and service animals are free.
Direct bookings come with our Check-in Promise: "If your group can't get into the home at check-in and we can't get you in within one hour of your call, we refund your first night."
The post-race recovery meal at home
The meal after the race is often the best part of the weekend, and it's easier at home than in a downtown restaurant on race day. Restaurants near the finish fill with runners, and tired legs don't want to wait for a table for twelve.
Give the afternoon to rest. A short walk later in the day helps sore legs, and the things to do in Sacramento with a large group guide has easy, low-key outings for Monday if the group stays an extra night. If December is a reunion as well as a race, our Sacramento holiday events guide and family reunions page cover the rest of the trip.
A sample race weekend
Example: a group of ten with two runners, arriving Friday.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Friday | Arrive, pick up bibs at the expo, early groceries for the weekend |
| Saturday | Short shakeout run, lay out race kit, early pasta dinner at the house, lights out by 9pm |
| Sunday | Runners to the buses, cheer at Fair Oaks, then the finish; recovery meal and rest at the house |
| Monday | Late breakfast, an easy outing or the drive home |
The bottom line
CIM is on Sunday, December 6, 2026, from Folsom to the Capitol, with a 7:00 a.m. start. Get runners to the race buses early, plan your cheer spots around the road closures, and pick a reunion letter before race day. A single house near your loading area keeps the early morning calm and gives everyone a place to eat and rest afterward. See our Sacramento homes to book the weekend, and check the official race site the week of the race for final details.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 California International Marathon?
Sunday, December 6, 2026, according to the official race site. The race site lists a 7:00 a.m. mass start.
Where does the California International Marathon start and finish?
It starts in the Folsom foothills and finishes at the California State Capitol in downtown Sacramento. The race describes the course as point-to-point and net downhill, and says it has stayed the same for 42 years.
Can I drop off my runner at the CIM start?
No. The race says runners may not drive themselves or be dropped off near the start area. Runners ride the free race buses from downtown Sacramento, Point West, Folsom or Granite Bay, and their bib is their ticket. The buses are for runners only.
Where is the best place to watch the California International Marathon?
The race lists cheer zones at mile 10.1 in Old Town Fair Oaks, at the halfway point, and at mile 25 at 23rd and L Streets downtown. Many families watch once early, then drive in to meet their runner at the finish.
How do I meet my runner after CIM?
The race has used a Runner Reunion Zone on the Capitol Mall grass median between 8th and 9th Streets, with A to Z signs by last name. Agree on a letter before race day and check the official finish line page for this year's layout.
How long are roads closed for CIM?
Closures start as early as 2:00 a.m. near the start and reopen in stages through the early afternoon. The race lists the Capitol Mall finish area as closed from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and recommends checking Waze on race day.
