# California International Marathon

Plan CIM from the Folsom rollers to the Sacramento finish, with sourced elevation estimates, aid stations, start buses, and December weather history.

## Race facts

- Location: Folsom, California, US
- Primary distance: Marathon
- Organizer: Sacramento Running Association
- Reviewed: 2026-10-02T01:55:01.799333+00:00

## Why this race belongs on a competitive runner's shortlist

CIM suits runners chasing a personal best who can handle repeated early hills. The organizer describes a certified course with a flat finish at the California State Capitol and a 366-foot net drop from Folsom. That combination gives the race a clear performance appeal. The tradeoff is the rolling first half, especially Fair Oaks Hills, where chasing a fixed split can cost effort you need later.

## Course overview

This point-to-point road marathon starts near Folsom Dam on Folsom-Auburn Road and finishes at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The official map takes runners west along Oak Avenue, south onto Fair Oaks Boulevard, through Fair Oaks and Carmichael, then across the American River toward J Street and downtown. The profile descends overall, with several rises around Fair Oaks Hills before the lower, flatter closing miles.

## Miles 0 to 6: Folsom and Oak Avenue

Folsom-Auburn Road leads onto Oak Avenue. The official profile shows early rollers followed by a larger descent around miles 2 to 4. Let pace change with the grade rather than forcing each mile. Water and electrolyte drink are available at American River Canyon and Oak at mile 2.2 and Beech and Oak at mile 4.2. Carry your planned early fuel; the first gel station is later.

## Miles 6 to 13.1: Fair Oaks Hills

Fair Oaks Boulevard brings the course through Fair Oaks Hills, marked on the official profile roughly between miles 6 and 11. Expect short rises within the overall descent. Keep the climbs below your hard-racing effort. Woodmore Oaks at mile 6.4 supplies gels and fruit with drinks; Madison at mile 8.5, Old Fair Oaks at mile 10 and Hollister at mile 12 provide further drink stops.

## Miles 13.1 to 20: Carmichael toward Sacramento

After Carmichael, Fair Oaks Boulevard continues toward Watt Avenue. The profile trends downward with smaller interruptions than Fair Oaks Hills. Use this stretch to judge whether your target effort still feels sustainable. Sutter at mile 13.6 offers gels and fruit. Drink stations follow at El Camino at 15.1, Walnut at 16.5, Savirien at 17.9 and Watt at 19.4.

## Miles 20 to 26.2: River crossing and downtown

The route crosses the American River and reaches J Street before the California State Capitol finish. The profile is low and nearly level here, so there is little downhill help for tired legs. Hold form through the turns and increase effort only if you still have control. Howe at mile 21.4 is the last gel and fruit stop; drinks continue at Elvas Bridge at 22.3, Sutter's Fort at 24.5 and 19th and L Street at 25.3.

## Elevation checkpoints and how to read them

FindMyMarathon models 202 m of cumulative ascent and 305 m of descent. These are route-analysis estimates, not organizer-published climbing totals. The organizer reports a 366-foot net drop, about 111.5 m. Different elevation methods give different totals. The official profile puts repeated rises in Fair Oaks Hills around miles 6 to 11 and a much flatter final stretch after mile 20. Prepare for climbing as well as descending.

## Aid stations and race-day logistics

The organizer lists 17 aid stations with water and electrolyte drink; gels and fruit are at miles 6.4, 13.6 and 21.4. Access to the Folsom Dam start is by official bus only. Downtown buses load behind the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center near K and 13th Streets and leave by 4:30 a.m. Your bib is the bus ticket. Gear check is available at the expo and convention-center bus loading, with none at the start.

## Practical pacing plan

Hold back on Fair Oaks Hills rather than banking time on the early descents. On Fair Oaks Boulevard through Carmichael, assess breathing and leg fatigue before choosing a faster effort. Save a controlled push for J Street and the approach to the California State Capitol. In cold rain, protect yourself before the start and allow more margin through wet turns. A headwind is a reason to control effort, even on the flatter roads.

## Historical weather pattern

Sacramento's December climate averages span roughly 39 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit between daily lows and highs, with mean winds of 6.4 to 6.6 mph and wet days around 27 percent of the time. These historical averages are not a forecast; conditions can change, so check the race-week forecast before travel and again on race morning.

## Edition history

- [2026, Marathon](https://runsra.org/california-international-marathon/)

## Sources

1. [California International Marathon 2026](https://runsra.org/california-international-marathon/)
2. [2026 course and aid stations](https://runcim.org/course-aid-stations/)
3. [Race transportation](https://runcim.org/race-transportation/)
4. [General information and FAQs for December 6, 2026](https://runcim.org/general-information-faqs/)
5. [Current linked CIM course map, asset filename CIM-map2022.jpg](https://runcim-org.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/CIM-map2022.jpg)
6. [Current linked course elevation profile](https://runcim-org.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/07/elevation.png)
7. [California International Marathon elevation information, course updated February 17, 2026](https://findmymarathon.com/elevation.php?elevation=California+International+Marathon)
8. [December weather in Sacramento, historical hourly reports and reanalysis 1980 to 2016](https://weatherspark.com/m/1157/12/Average-Weather-in-December-in-Sacramento-California-United-States)

Canonical URL: https://www.yigri.com/races/california-international-marathon