38 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 23-29, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com FACE TO FACE Runners travel from all over the world to participate in the scenic Big Sur International Marathon, winding along an iconic 26.2-mile stretch of Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel, climbing 2,182 feet and descending 2,528 feet, and facing whatever the weather delivers on the top of aptly named Hurricane Point. Alongside the many travelers, many runners are local, including Adam Roach of Pacific Grove who’s entering the race for the 13th consecutive time since 2012, after moving to Monterey County in 2011. The software developer and his wife, an occupational therapist, were fresh out of college and planned to move around to try living in different places. They started with a six-month stint in Illinois, then arrived here as their second stop and never left, and now have three children, ages 6, 3 and 1. “The weather here is so great,” he says. “I can run year-round in shorts.” Roach has won the Big Sur International Marathon five times, and placed third or fifth in recent years. He’s hoping to again claim a gold medal this April 26. “I have definitely seen myself get older and it gets tougher to be in contention,” he says. “I have to have a lot of things go right for me this year, but I’d like to at least be in contention.” Weekly: How did you get started as a runner? Roach: I did track in high school in Michigan. That was when I fell in love with running. I focused on the mile— then a 5K and a 10K. I didn’t run my first marathon until 2010, a few years out of college. It’s a natural progression for a lot of distance runners. What do you love about running? I have a draw to the simplicity of running. With cycling, you spend time pumping the tires up, doing maintenance. With running, you just throw on your shoes and you go. I really like the process of seeing improvement through training. It’s rewarding to see yourself improve. In college I had aspirations to qualify for the Olympic trials for the marathon. I was close, but never quite made it. There’s something about pushing yourself. Do you mostly run solo, or with friends? I really like running with other people, but it’s hard to find people that can run at my speed. [He tries to keep under a 6-minute mile pace.] You spend a lot of time running. I wonder if you still feel the endorphin rush people talk about. I definitely still get it. It’s more the feeling after a hard run, just feeling good. You feel like you are rewarded for working your body. And it’s a mental refresh. What do you think about while you run, if anything? I have three types of mindsets when I run. Sometimes I am thinking about my everyday stuff. If I am running fast and doing a workout, I’m thinking about pace, my breathing, my strides—I’m focused on my running. Third is more this blank slate, not thinking about anything, and it’s very refreshing. How far do you typically run in a week? Over the course of the year, I average 50 miles a week. In the past, when I had more time, I would go up to 100 miles a week. What advice would you give to a new runner just getting into it? Just get out and do it and stay consistent with it. And take it slow to start. What do you like about the Big Sur course in particular that makes you keep returning to it? There’s so much different terrain, up hills and down hills, wind is blowing in your face—it’s a wild card of what you’re going to get that day. I’ve never had a tailwind. There were two years when it was very light wind. It’s my hometown race, and I have won it five times, so it’s like coming back. It’s competitive; if I have a good race, I can win it, so that’s a draw. Are you competitive in other areas, like board games? Yeah. I am bad at balance sports—I can’t really surf or skateboard—so I don’t do them. Do you get nervous before a race? A little bit. One thing I like about running is you typically perform better when you’re nervous, which is different than other sports. Try a free-throw with no time on the clock, your nerves are not going to help you there. Big Sur International Marathon starts at 6:45am Sunday, April 26 at Big Sur Station. Ends at Rio Road in Carmel (1pm latest finish). Runner registration is closed. (831) 625-6226, bigsurmarathon.org. The Long Game Five-time Big Sur International Marathon winner Adam Roach is back at it this year. By Sara Rubin “When I was younger it was all about racing,” says Adam Roach, who regularly runs along the Rec Trail in Monterey and P.G. “I am still competitive but I’ve also transitioned to just being happy running.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Luna - Dream Girl Sweet-Elegant-Available Golden Oldies Cat Rescue www.gocatrescue.org 831•200•9232 Will you welcome her into your home? Adopt Volunteer Foster Older Cats New Beginnings Spork Want to meet Spork? Please fill out our online adoption questionnaire. Things to love: approx. 10 years old - 14 pounds - female - Shih Tzu This charming senior gal is part sweet cuddles, part sassy personality and 100% adorable. She loves leisurely walks, cozy naps, and being told she's the cutest (at least five times daily). Great with dogs, cats, and kids, Spork is ready to serve up joy and become your perfectly-sized, silky-soft companion with a side of adorable attitude. 831-718-9122 | www.POMDR.org P.O. 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