Big Sur Marathon has a plan

Monterey Herald story that just went online:

After the slide: Big Sur Marathon has a fall back plan
B y   DENNIS TAYLOR
Herald Staff
The Big Sur International Marathon will go on as planned — albeit with possible alterations — despite news that part of the course on picturesque Highway 1 has fallen into the Pacific Ocean.
Caltrans has not yet been able to estimate how much time will be needed to repair damage that occurred when about 40 feet of the two-lane highway washed out just after 5 p.m. Wednesday on a curve south of the Rocky Creek Bridge, wiping out the southbound lane and a piece of the northbound lane.
As a result, Big Sur International Marathon race director Wally Kastner said he already has a contingency plan if the road is closed on April 29, when the three day event begins with a Health & Fitness Expo. The "Just Kids" 3K run is scheduled April 30, with several other races, including the 26.2-mile marathon, slated May 1.
Kastner said he planned to submit his plan to the Board of Directors at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting.
"We had a similar situation when 'El Nino' washed out part of Highway 1 back in 1998, so we've been here before," Kastner said. "Our race went on that year with an out-and-back course (from Carmel's Rio Road to the Bixby Creek Bridge and back).
"If we're unable to use our traditional 26.2-mile course this year, the plan is to put the turn-around at the south side of the Rocky Creek Bridge (12 miles south of Carmel), with a jog through Point Lobos (State Natural Reserve) on the way back to the finish line (at Rio Road)," Kastner said.
A similar backup course would be used for the 21-mile run and the marathon relay. Kastner said 10-mile run and the 9-mile run/walk would be combined into one walking event, and starting time for the 5K would be pushed back an hour.

Dennis Taylor can be reached at dtaylor@montereyherald.com or 646-4344.