On the 75-minute ferry ride from Long Beach Harbor to Catalina Island’s port town of Avalon, I lost my voice as I strained to talk over the roaring engines on the deck of the Catalina Express. I was headed over to the island 26 miles off the shore of Los Angeles with friend and colleague, Tayte Pollmann and friends, to cover, support and enjoy all the Island had to offer.
As the Los Angeles coastline shrank from view on the stern, the mountainous Island of Santa Catalina grew from the view of the bow. Floating into Avalon Bay, it felt like a different country altogether, an exotic foreign destination akin to Monaco or Cinque Terra with picturesque scenes of sail boats lining the bay and houses stacked up on the terraced hillsides. I was here two years prior, but it felt like I never left. Sort of like that Eagles song, Hotel California. Ships on the harbor in Catalina Island. Photo: Peter Maksimow
47th Anniversary
This was the 47th running of the Catalina Island Marathon – one of the oldest trail marathons in the country – and the 1,250+ runners of the 26.2-mile marathon, 10K, 5K, and Kids Run were treated to ideal temperatures and sunny skies. The marathoners had to catch a 5:00 a.m. ferry from Avalon to the start in Two Harbors for the 7:00 a.m. start. The 10K, 5K, and Kids Run all started and finished in Avalon.
Although race day boasted ideal weather, the week leading up to the race brought storms and heavy rain, which caused large run offs to cut across the dirt road sections of the course. This meant that every runner’s shoes were wet from the numerous rogue creek crossings. In fact, in the early miles of the course the dirt roads were so over-saturated from the heavy rains, that mud sections were present and the possibility of losing a shoe to the suction effects was a real risk.
Tayte Pollmann sends it
Eventual men’s marathon champion, Tayte Pollmann, said, “Miles three through six were slippery from the mud, that was the only part where I was being cautious so I didn’t fall or roll an ankle.” (Read Tayte’s article here.)
Otherwise, he was undeterred by the water crossings. In fact, Pollmann went on to say, “I would light up when I saw creeks, they cooled me down and they made me feel like I was playing.”
He added, “When I did see a creek, I would just send it!”
Catalina Island Marathon course profile.
The course started at sea level and climbed to several high points and descended back to the ocean a few times to accumulate more that 3,600 feet over the marathon distance. Pollmann said of the course, “The views were special and it was one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever run. The sound of frogs at the creek crossings was magical.”
The 33-year old course record of 2:39:58 set in 1991 by Bill McDermott was one of the goals for Pollmann, however, the added creek crossings and mud made a faster time more difficult. Of the course, he said, “The course was definitely a quad banger, the downhills were long and fast and beat up your legs. My favorite part was the last climb from mile 18 to 19 because I began feeling good after not feeling good in the previous section. I was able to reset and felt ready to push the last downhill to the finish.”
With a wire-to-wire winning time of 2:48:49, Pollmann was a few minutes off his goal time but he said, “I was satisfied with my effort.”
Pollmann and Mitchell at the Catalina Island Marathon. Photo: Peter Maksimow
Erica Mitchell wins her marathon debut
On the women’s side, Erica Mitchell, Minneapolis, MN, set off with the rest of the marathon field at 7:00 a.m. from Two Harbors. She put a gap on the rest of the field in the early miles to gain a commanding lead. She extended her lead to almost nine minutes to win her debut marathon in a time of 3:41:46.
Although Mitchell has not competed in a trail marathon before, she was familiar with the trails and ultras. “This was my first marathon, but I prefer the longer, grinding races,” she said. Her training is atypical, “I don’t train specifically [for racing], I run with ski friends and also run commute.”
As I spoke to Mitchell at the awards ceremony, she introduced her father to me. He seemed very familiar, as if I had seen him at previous races. As it turned out, he was none other than Gene Dykes – a.k.a. “UltraGeezer” – the world’s fastest septuagenarian marathoner. He holds the marathon world record for a 70-year-old at 2:54:23, and numerous road age-group records.
Gene Dykes on course at the Catalina Island Marathon. Photo: Peter Maksimow
Dykes has completed numerous trail ultras such as Tarawera Ultra-Trail 100, Javelina Jundred, and Rocky Racoon 100. He has even completed the challenging Triple Crown of 200s: Moab 240, Bigfoot 200, and Tahoe 200. He attempted to become the oldest finisher of Western States Endurance Run in 2023, however, pulled out of the race at 70.7 miles.
Of his daughter’s Catalina Island Marathon win, Dkykes said, “She beat me by two hours!”
Finish at the Pacific Ocean
The difficulty of the big climbs and long descents is made up by the sheer beauty of the course. Marathon runners are treated to the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica, and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Baldy and the San Bernardino Mountains. Perhaps the most rewarding part of the course is the fact that the ocean is 50 meters past the finish line and runners are able to cool their sore and aching bodies immediately after they complete their race.
With the scenic beauty, ocean life, and the island’s population of endemic Santa Catalina Island Foxes, bison, Northern Elephant Seals, and many other animals, the emphasis on protection and sustainability is important. Run Catalina has made efforts to protect this resource by making the race cupless, eliminating the use of disposable cups. Participants are encouraged to use their own hydration systems or utilize one of the reusable soft-cups. The Catalina Island Marathon has also applied for recognition as a sustainable event through the Council for Responsible Sport.
So, if you are looking for a challenging destination race with an exotic feel, consider the Catalina Island Marathon or one of the other events on the island: Avalon 50K and 50 Mile or Catalina Island Half Marathon. Or, take on the Triple Crown Challenge, which consists of all three Run Catalina Island events within a 12-month period. Runners who complete the challenge win a unique belt buckle, a pair of Hi-Tec shoes from the event’s title sponsor, and a Triple Crown finisher jacket.
Consider the Triple Crown of Catalina Island. Photo: Peter Maksimow
Results from the marathon
Men’s Marathon
Women’s Marathon
On course at the Catalina Island Marathon. Photo: Peter Maksimow
Complete results at this link.
