The following release is published with permission from ATRA corporate member Spectrum Sports Management, organizers of Catalina Island Half Marathon.
AVALON, Calif. –— The Catalina Island Half Marathon has brought on Fulton, a sustainable insole brand, as a 2023 race sponsor. This partnership will further Catalina Island Half Marathon’s dedication to a sustainable event that leaves no trace behind in one of California’s natural wonders, Catalina Island. Registration remains open for runners, walkers and hikers for the November 11 event.
Fulton insoles have a cork base, which molds to the user’s arch to provide customized comfort, pain relief and stability. The company focuses on providing support that improves whole-body wellness, Fulton prioritizes full-body alignment, to promote proactive wellness as well as sustainability by only using regenerative, plant-based materials to make its products. As a sponsor, Fulton will be making a donation to the Conservancy for every participant that signs a “No Trash Left Behind” pledge, as an effort to protect the Catalina Mahogany that is only found on Catalina Island.
Bison roam Santa Catalina Island, sometimes in large packs and sometimes solo.
Leave No Trace
“This collaboration with Fulton is an exciting time for both the Catalina Island Half Marathon and the Catalina Island Conservancy,” said Mike Bone, President and CEO of Spectrum Sports Management, which produces the Catalina Island Half Marathon. “We work hard to provide a great experience for our participants while leaving no trace behind. Having a race on Catalina Island is an incredibly unique experience, so we ensure that sustainability is our top priority in order to keep the island in perfect health and continue to provide such a one-of-a-kind event.”
“We are so excited to be partnering with the Catalina Island Half Marathon and to have the opportunity to support not only runners, but also the incredible island,” said Libie Motchan, Co-Founder of Fulton. “Run Catalina Island is truly at the forefront of sustainability of running, and we hope that together, we can make strides to reduce our carbon footprint.”
“Catalina Island Conservancy’s conservation programs focus on resiliency of the Island and its plant and animal populations. The endemic Catalina Island Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae) is one of the most critically endangered trees in North America, as indicated by its listing under the federal and state Endangered Species acts, with a wild population comprised of only six individuals,” said Aaron Kreisberg, Catalina Island Conservancy, Plant Conservation Manager. “The support of Fulton Insoles and Run Catalina Island will facilitate Catalina Island Conservancy in continuing to protect this truly one-of-a-kind species through ongoing conservation efforts on the landscape and further research on propagation techniques in the lab. Support for these efforts ensures the Catalina Island Mountain Mahogany will remain a part of Catalina Island’s ecosystem well into the future.”
Sweeping vistas are the standard at the Catalina Island Marathon.
Triple Crown Challenge
The Catalina Island Half Marathon is a part of Run Catalina Island’s Triple Crown Challenge. The challenge involves completing all three Run Catalina Island events within a 12-month period. This includes the Avalon 50K or 50 Mile, Catalina Island Marathon and Catalina Island Half Marathon. Runners may begin their Catalina Island Triple Crown journey with any one of these races, but all specified distances must be completed within a 12-month period, meaning they must finish all three races consecutively once they begin. Athletes who complete the challenge receive a Triple Crown finisher jacket, Hi-Tec shoes and a one-of-a-kind belt buckle.
This trail half-marathon will challenge participants with climbs, peaks and vistas. Runners will start in the town of Avalon, run past the Wrigley Mansion, and then enter the Interior for a few miles of climbs. They then will summit with views of the Pacific Ocean where on a clear day two other islands that comprise the Channel Islands are visible. After running past the summit they will run downhill through the Wrigley Memorial before finishing back in town. The 10K also provides a scenic course as it runs along the hillsides of Avalon.
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