Considered one of the most scenic marathons in the country, this point-to-point race north along Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel combines California’s most dramatic coastal scenery with some serious physical challenges—headwinds and hills. An additional gauntlet: a hard six-hour limit on the course, which breaks down to about than 14 minutes per mile. Still up for it? You’ll reap the rewards while running among redwoods with stunning ocean views.