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Marathon Details - Catalina Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > CA > Catalina Island > Catalina Marathon

Catalina Marathon

Hi-Tec Catalina Marathon & 10K, 5K

Catalina Island, CA USA

March 8, 2025

http://www.spectrumsportsevents.com/catalina-island-marathon

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Race Details

Very hilly, mostly dirt fire roads. Beautiful views of the Pacific.

Contact Information

Name:	Spectrum Sports Management, Inc.
Address:	2058 N Mills Ave #454 Claremont, Ca 91711
Phone Number:	909-399-3553
Fax Number:	909-399-9779
Email:

Runner Reviews (40)

Course 4.9

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.0

Write a review

Number of comments: 40 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

W. W. from Los Angeles (3/11/2019) "A Tough Course, A Fun Event" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I did this race as a spontaneous reaction to my friends' invitation. I got a knee pain in Disney Marathon back to January. I waited for my knee to feel comfortable and the weather got totally cleared up. I made my decision a day before. The logistic for this race is a little complicated as the race has a point to point course in Catalina Island. There are not enough rooms in Two Harbor, the start line. Majority of the runners took a boat ride departure from Avalon, the finish point, to Two Harbor, the start point, in the morning of the race at 5:00am. I took the same boat from Long Beach, which departure at 2:15am. The race started at 7:00am. That's quite a long boat ride before the race. Two harbor is a small village with limited services. Our boat docked on the north side harbor. The start line was on the south side harbor. It is about half mile in between these two harbors. I arranged my time line as registration - check in bag - use facility - start run; to make sure I can get into the race. That means I have to walk cross the two harbors 3 times. I made back to the start line at the last second, literarily. Moving the start line close to restroom facilities are very helpful, as I heard a few other runners complained the start line location as well. The course is a very challenging one. The middle section from mile 11 to mile 21 are almost all the way up hill. The roads were muddy in many sections. You have to get your foot wet in a few spots where steams rush cross the road. I made a mistake by wearing cotton socks. I ended up with a blisters and then, the blisters burst because I was keeping running. There are plenty of aid stations with food and drink well loaded. The finish line is in the town of Avalon. I appreciate the traffic police attendances at major intersections. The finish line at Avalon is a nice small town equipped with many services. Many spectators cheered for the runners at the very end section of the course. I was able to take a shower at public shower facility and had a lunch at my choice. I did not book anything ahead of the time. But, purchasing a ride back to Long Beach was easy and smooth. Two days after the race, the results are still not available yet.
Jonathan Wendel from Ames, Iowa (3/14/2013) "Breathtakingly beautiful (and...er...breathtaking)" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a stunningly gorgeous marathon with breathtaking vistas of the Pacific and the runners snaking up and down the steep, semi-wild terrain of Catalina Island. I don't recall ever having spontaneously exclaimed 'wow...' during a race so many times. The course is challenging, to be sure, and mostly on dirt jeep tracks, which is nice. Running this marathon is an unforgettable experience. I can't recommend it more highly, and can't wait to go back.
P. G. from West Richland, Washington, USA (3/13/2012) "Exceeded all my expectations, I will return 2013" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for the Catalina Island marathon shortly after running the Huntington Beach, CA 'Surf City Marathon' in February 2012. Essentially, I was looking for a marathon in March, and this fit the bill (and was something of an impulse buy.) At any rate, the course looked challenging from the map and elevation profile. The comments / feedback from other runners (on this site) really made the decision easy. Everything about this race exceeded my expectations including the boat ride, the quaint tourist town of Avalon, proprietors of the lodging and dining establishments, challenging hilly course with tons of vistas, fellow runners per dialogs on course and off, maintenance stops every two miles staffed with happy volunteers, excellent weather, delightful cheers from the locals and tourists at the finish line& I could go on, but you get the picture. So many of the runners are veterans, and for good reason. This is a fantastic marathon. You will not likely achieve your PR here; so as a running friend advocated: PR in Fun. Catalina will likely become a yearly tradition for me as it has for so many others. Looking forward to adding the 2013 Pin to by Catalina Island Marathon Bar. Cheers.
K. M. from Long Beach, California (3/12/2012) "Catalina Island - Great Destination Marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Catalina Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Say what you want about the race organization change, after many-many great years by the other guys. The Catalina Conservancy took over and provided a seamless event, compared to prior years. I could not make it to the expo on Friday night, so one of the organizers met me at the boat dock upon arriving at 4:30am on race day, with my race packet. That's impressive! The aid stations were plentiful and the aid station support, while a little under-staffed in the early miles, were really outstanding in the 2nd half of the race. If you want to run a marathon you'll never forget, this is the one. The participants are super supportive to one another.
j. k. from california (2/26/2012) "nice trail run." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Not designed for competitive runners. The walkers are allowed to start earlier and do not show much awareness of runners who are passing on single track and double track trails. The support stations are well-manned for a remote point-to-point course.
L. S. from Palos Verdes Estates (3/2/2011) "A Catalina Marathon Poem" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ferry ride, birds singing, cool breezes, crashing waves, winding vistas of trails; volunteers assisting, Peanut M&Ms, cloud cover till noon, buffalo grazing, mile 18 buffet; the radio tower at last, Avalon and Catalina Cantina, soft trails; finish line. What a day; sleep well for job well done - that is the Catalina 2010 Marathon. Ready, willing and registered for 2011!!!
A. C. from USA (4/19/2010) "Transcendent Experience" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the best things I've ever done in my life. If you are at all able to ever get to Catalina Island, make sure you run this race (and if it's not during that weekend, run the course). Mountain running, hill running, is one of the most incredible things in the entire world, and for this reason: at no other point in your life are you directly rewarded for heartbreaking physical exhaustion with a heartbreaking experience of nature. To run across the length of a mountainous island in the middle of the Pacific is everything you are expecting it to be. The return to Avalon is the perfect finish - a wonderful little town with great places to hang out. I've been lucky enough to see a lot of the world and this island is my favorite place. My heart goes out to the volunteers and organizers who help make this race what it is. Thank you.
J. T. from melbourne, australia (4/1/2010) "unsurpassable" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 97th 26.2-mile marathon, and the most spectacular I have done. I knew it would be hilly and I did some last-minute training on hills, but it was the views that really took my breath away. From the moment we docked at the start line, I knew it would be a great day - and things just got better and better. The hills were tough and some were quite steep, but it was so fantastic to arrive at the top by the airport and look down on Avalon, knowing we were headed there. I loved the downhill. I had been looking forward to it all morning and I really let rip.
Kevin Nolan from Philadelphia (3/19/2010) "This one is the best" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! I agree with Scott. I kept saying, "Wow!" over and over. This is my 26th marathon and 17th state, and it was the best. It's hard to imagine a better experience. I just couldn't believe how beautiful it was. The hills are amazing and really tough, but I managed them well. I had trained for hills, and you better too, if you plan on running it. (In addition to running a lot of hills outside, I did a treadmill routine with the machine on an 8-hill setting). I came from Marina Del Rey on the 4 a.m. ferry by myself. We arrived at sunrise, and when I saw the island for the first time I was very intimidated. It looked like Jurassic Park. Big mountains, fog, etc. By the time the race started, the fog burned off. The first half-mile was flat and that was it. By mile two we were already high up, looking down on the beautiful harbor below. I didn't seem to mind. I walked a couple of times, but mostly I jogged the uphills and ran the downs. I did 4:33 about an hour slower than a recent marathon. I was a little slower because it was so intense and I was really enjoying it. If you run it, save something for the second half. Up, up, up - till mile 23 - so high; and then down 1,800 feet in the last 3 miles. Relax and let it rip. Trail shoes are a good idea. I had the most fun of any of my previous marathons. I have a lot of states left to do, but I would do this one again with some friends. Unbelievable!
Scott Schramp from Huntington Beach, CA (3/15/2010) "Wow!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After doing this for the first time, I understand why so many people come back over and over. The scenery was incredible, well worth the difficulty of the course. The volunteers were amazing (that's why I gave the spectators a 5). Special thanks to the Catalina Island Conservancy for the great buffet at mile 18. I ran by myself and got some great support along the way from some race veterans... I'm sure I'll remember them when I see them next year.

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]



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W. W. from Los Angeles (3/11/2019) "A Tough Course, A Fun Event" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I did this race as a spontaneous reaction to my friends' invitation. I got a knee pain in Disney Marathon back to January. I waited for my knee to feel comfortable and the weather got totally cleared up. I made my decision a day before. The logistic for this race is a little complicated as the race has a point to point course in Catalina Island. There are not enough rooms in Two Harbor, the start line. Majority of the runners took a boat ride departure from Avalon, the finish point, to Two Harbor, the start point, in the morning of the race at 5:00am. I took the same boat from Long Beach, which departure at 2:15am. The race started at 7:00am. That's quite a long boat ride before the race. Two harbor is a small village with limited services. Our boat docked on the north side harbor. The start line was on the south side harbor. It is about half mile in between these two harbors. I arranged my time line as registration - check in bag - use facility - start run; to make sure I can get into the race. That means I have to walk cross the two harbors 3 times. I made back to the start line at the last second, literarily. Moving the start line close to restroom facilities are very helpful, as I heard a few other runners complained the start line location as well. The course is a very challenging one. The middle section from mile 11 to mile 21 are almost all the way up hill. The roads were muddy in many sections. You have to get your foot wet in a few spots where steams rush cross the road. I made a mistake by wearing cotton socks. I ended up with a blisters and then, the blisters burst because I was keeping running. There are plenty of aid stations with food and drink well loaded. The finish line is in the town of Avalon. I appreciate the traffic police attendances at major intersections. The finish line at Avalon is a nice small town equipped with many services. Many spectators cheered for the runners at the very end section of the course. I was able to take a shower at public shower facility and had a lunch at my choice. I did not book anything ahead of the time. But, purchasing a ride back to Long Beach was easy and smooth. Two days after the race, the results are still not available yet.
Jonathan Wendel from Ames, Iowa (3/14/2013) "Breathtakingly beautiful (and...er...breathtaking)" (about: 2013) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 This is a stunningly gorgeous marathon with breathtaking vistas of the Pacific and the runners snaking up and down the steep, semi-wild terrain of Catalina Island. I don't recall ever having spontaneously exclaimed 'wow...' during a race so many times. The course is challenging, to be sure, and mostly on dirt jeep tracks, which is nice. Running this marathon is an unforgettable experience. I can't recommend it more highly, and can't wait to go back.
P. G. from West Richland, Washington, USA (3/13/2012) "Exceeded all my expectations, I will return 2013" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I signed up for the Catalina Island marathon shortly after running the Huntington Beach, CA 'Surf City Marathon' in February 2012. Essentially, I was looking for a marathon in March, and this fit the bill (and was something of an impulse buy.) At any rate, the course looked challenging from the map and elevation profile. The comments / feedback from other runners (on this site) really made the decision easy. Everything about this race exceeded my expectations including the boat ride, the quaint tourist town of Avalon, proprietors of the lodging and dining establishments, challenging hilly course with tons of vistas, fellow runners per dialogs on course and off, maintenance stops every two miles staffed with happy volunteers, excellent weather, delightful cheers from the locals and tourists at the finish line& I could go on, but you get the picture. So many of the runners are veterans, and for good reason. This is a fantastic marathon. You will not likely achieve your PR here; so as a running friend advocated: PR in Fun. Catalina will likely become a yearly tradition for me as it has for so many others. Looking forward to adding the 2013 Pin to by Catalina Island Marathon Bar. Cheers.
K. M. from Long Beach, California (3/12/2012) "Catalina Island - Great Destination Marathon" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Catalina Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Say what you want about the race organization change, after many-many great years by the other guys. The Catalina Conservancy took over and provided a seamless event, compared to prior years. I could not make it to the expo on Friday night, so one of the organizers met me at the boat dock upon arriving at 4:30am on race day, with my race packet. That's impressive! The aid stations were plentiful and the aid station support, while a little under-staffed in the early miles, were really outstanding in the 2nd half of the race. If you want to run a marathon you'll never forget, this is the one. The participants are super supportive to one another.
j. k. from california (2/26/2012) "nice trail run." (about: 2011) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Not designed for competitive runners. The walkers are allowed to start earlier and do not show much awareness of runners who are passing on single track and double track trails. The support stations are well-manned for a remote point-to-point course.
L. S. from Palos Verdes Estates (3/2/2011) "A Catalina Marathon Poem" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Ferry ride, birds singing, cool breezes, crashing waves, winding vistas of trails; volunteers assisting, Peanut M&Ms, cloud cover till noon, buffalo grazing, mile 18 buffet; the radio tower at last, Avalon and Catalina Cantina, soft trails; finish line. What a day; sleep well for job well done - that is the Catalina 2010 Marathon. Ready, willing and registered for 2011!!!
A. C. from USA (4/19/2010) "Transcendent Experience" (about: 2010) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 One of the best things I've ever done in my life. If you are at all able to ever get to Catalina Island, make sure you run this race (and if it's not during that weekend, run the course). Mountain running, hill running, is one of the most incredible things in the entire world, and for this reason: at no other point in your life are you directly rewarded for heartbreaking physical exhaustion with a heartbreaking experience of nature. To run across the length of a mountainous island in the middle of the Pacific is everything you are expecting it to be. The return to Avalon is the perfect finish - a wonderful little town with great places to hang out. I've been lucky enough to see a lot of the world and this island is my favorite place. My heart goes out to the volunteers and organizers who help make this race what it is. Thank you.
J. T. from melbourne, australia (4/1/2010) "unsurpassable" (about: 2010) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my 97th 26.2-mile marathon, and the most spectacular I have done. I knew it would be hilly and I did some last-minute training on hills, but it was the views that really took my breath away. From the moment we docked at the start line, I knew it would be a great day - and things just got better and better. The hills were tough and some were quite steep, but it was so fantastic to arrive at the top by the airport and look down on Avalon, knowing we were headed there. I loved the downhill. I had been looking forward to it all morning and I really let rip.
Kevin Nolan from Philadelphia (3/19/2010) "This one is the best" (about: 2010) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wow! I agree with Scott. I kept saying, "Wow!" over and over. This is my 26th marathon and 17th state, and it was the best. It's hard to imagine a better experience. I just couldn't believe how beautiful it was. The hills are amazing and really tough, but I managed them well. I had trained for hills, and you better too, if you plan on running it. (In addition to running a lot of hills outside, I did a treadmill routine with the machine on an 8-hill setting). I came from Marina Del Rey on the 4 a.m. ferry by myself. We arrived at sunrise, and when I saw the island for the first time I was very intimidated. It looked like Jurassic Park. Big mountains, fog, etc. By the time the race started, the fog burned off. The first half-mile was flat and that was it. By mile two we were already high up, looking down on the beautiful harbor below. I didn't seem to mind. I walked a couple of times, but mostly I jogged the uphills and ran the downs. I did 4:33 about an hour slower than a recent marathon. I was a little slower because it was so intense and I was really enjoying it. If you run it, save something for the second half. Up, up, up - till mile 23 - so high; and then down 1,800 feet in the last 3 miles. Relax and let it rip. Trail shoes are a good idea. I had the most fun of any of my previous marathons. I have a lot of states left to do, but I would do this one again with some friends. Unbelievable!
Scott Schramp from Huntington Beach, CA (3/15/2010) "Wow!" (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Catalina Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 After doing this for the first time, I understand why so many people come back over and over. The scenery was incredible, well worth the difficulty of the course. The volunteers were amazing (that's why I gave the spectators a 5). Special thanks to the Catalina Island Conservancy for the great buffet at mile 18. I ran by myself and got some great support along the way from some race veterans... I'm sure I'll remember them when I see them next year.

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Marathon Details - Catalina Marathon