Thousand race in Big Sur Marathon

Aaron Braun of Flagstaff, Arizona crossed the Big Sur Half Marathon finish line in 1:03:32.

“You go through some tough patches out there but just like life you just keep trying,” said Braun. “Eventually the finish lines comes and it’s worth it.”

Right behind him was Sarah Pagano from Boston taking first place in the women’s division with a time of 1:13:04.

“Whenever I got tired I looked away at the waves and I was like how can you beat this it’s amazing,” said Pagano. “This whole course is incredible.”

For the first time the marathon added an equalizer bonus.

“We started the women nine minutes ahead of the men and with the intention that the men would catch up right at the finish line,” said Julie Armstrong, Bis Sur International Marathon Communications Director. “So we wouldn’t know if it’s going to be a male or a female to cross the finish line, kind of a battle of the sexes if you will. “The first person to cross the finish line would get a $5,000 bonus.”

Even though Braun took home the bonus, more than 8000 runners signed up for the 13 mile trek that started in downtown Monterey and for the most part continues on the water’s edge.

“We’re mermaids, we’re done adulating,” said runner Maureen Harjar. “Leaving the husbands and children behind. Gonna go torture ourselves and run 13 miles and escape for a little bit.”

Eight-eight-year-old Hai Chung did not come in at record speed but he placed first for the 85 and older group.

“Todays a beautiful day and I enjoyed it very much,” said Chung.

Steve Souza said the race is a lifestyle for him. He has run every marathon.

“There’s always going to be someone faster than you, there’s always going to be somebody better than you,” said Souza. “You just have to run your own race and feel good about your results.”

Both Chung and Souza were supposed to run in the Salinas Valley Half Marathon which was canceled due to poor air quality from the Soberanes fire. Organizers allowed them with about 350 others to run in this race instead.

“This is probably one of the best races that we’ve ever had,” said Armstrong.

Now that this race is over organizers said they are getting ready for the Big Sur International Marathon in April.