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☰
Catalina Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Catalina Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.9 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.0
Number of comments: 40 [displaying comments 21 to 31]
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R. L. from Monterey, California
(12/18/2006)
 "Flat & Fast... NOT! Fabulous Trail Marathon!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Catalina Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It's a one of a kind! So many returning competitors that it feels more like a family reunion than a footrace. Incredible course, great group of folks... organizers and participants alike. | |
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T. E. from Orlando, FL
(3/24/2006)
 "beautiful scenery that everyone should experience" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Catalina Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The race volunteers on the course were very friendly. The bike patrol was super - loved the buffalo hats they wore. This was my first Catalina Marathon - I'll be back. Bring on the hills.... | |
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Z. M. from US
(3/15/2006)
"simply great" (General Comments)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Catalina Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This will be my 25th Catalina Marathon and every time I enjoy it more, rain or shine. The scenery is great... and all of us getting gray. | |
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steve wa from wasington
(3/26/2005)
 "incredible marathon... but beware... course not ma" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Catalina Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Super great marathon... but yet once again, you came to a "y" and didn't know which way to go... this could be the most serious problem ever that could ruin this beautiful marathon. | |
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Lisa Campbell from Beaverton, OR
(3/25/2005)
"A beautiful course!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Catalina Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 I enjoyed the scenery and was happy to see the finish line. I signed up 11 months in advance, but ended up with a finisher's shirt that was WAY too large. Unless that is corrected, I will not repeat this marathon. | |
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Troy Hamon from King Salmon, Alaska
(3/24/2005)
"Wonderful place, wonderful race" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Catalina Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This marathon was a fantastic experience. I'll return if at all possible. Just the right number of fellow runners, fantastic scenery, two bison along the way, just hard to think of anything that could have been better, other than my finishing time. | |
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A. G. from Houston, Texas
(3/24/2005)
 "Stunning off-road trail run" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Catalina Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 Definitely a demanding trail run rather than a conventional marathon. Superb scenery and ambience. How many marathons does one actually run in the clouds? Honest! Very little by way of spectators, other than the fantastic volunteers at the many refreshment stations and at the finish. My first running of this in 2005. An early rise in the pouring rain to catch a very busy ferry at 5am (tip - arrive early to have any chance of a seat), followed by an hour's wait at the start, by which time the rain stopped. Almost immediately the steep climb starts. This is not for novices. Downhill section after about 4 miles, then pretty undulating (well, still with some pretty demanding ups) until halfway when they have a long (relatively) flat section. After being lulled into stability, the BIG climb at 18 miles is an interesting requirement, followed by the series of sharp inclines from 20-22 miles. It's all made worthwhile by the quad-mashing last 2 mile downhill 'sprint' to the end. A superb run, with a surprisingly large number of refreshment points, and bonus of M&Ms, Gummi Bears and pretzels in the later sections. At points, with all the rain and low clouds, the footing was pretty slippery. One poor lad lost a shoe in a creek, and ran the last 11 miles with just a sock; he was either mad or brave. Forget your recent PRs when estimating finishing times. I'm used to 7:30-minute miles, yet my average for the first four was 11 minutes. Final observation is that the average Catalina runner looks quite a bit different from a conventional marathoner. More of a trail runner, a bit 'grungier', less time-obsessed, a bit older (sorry guys) and - of course - more rugged and tough (well, at least the women were). One of the most enjoyable marathons I've run. Made even better by meeting Steve Jones, one of the all-time greatest marathoners, at the expo and then - as a bonus - passing him within two miles! One day, I'll be telling my grandkids I beat the one-time world record holder over a incredibly tough course. You're a martyr, Steve. | |
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D. D. from Los Angeles, CA, USA
(3/22/2005)
"most beautiful & difficult course I ever ran" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 2 Catalina Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This spectacular race will take your breath away. Twenty-three miles on dirt roads or trails; ocean views; wildflowers; bison! Climbs 1500', then plummets the final 3 miles back to sea level. Just hope it doesn't rain. | |
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Robert Vangilder from San Gabriel, Ca
(3/21/2005)
"fantastic course" (General Comments)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Catalina Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I have run this race 8 times and have yet to get a T-shirt that fits me. I need a small and every year I am handed a Large or X-Large and told "Sorry, thats all that is left." If you do this marathon you have worked hard for that "finisher's" T-shirt. It is heartbreaking when it is 2 or 3 sizes too big. | |
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A. B. from Trubuco Canyon, CA.
(3/20/2005)
"Breathtaking Vistas, Heartbreaking Hills" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Catalina Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've run Big Sur twice and this has it beat for scenery. Its a tough course but doable, with breathtaking views of Two Harbors. Aid stations every 2 miles or so with gummy bears, M&Ms and pretzels along with the usual stuff. The last 3 miles are downhill so you can run strong. Don't pay attention to the mile markers, they were consistantly off (sometimes by as much as 3/4 mile), but they evened out at the end. All in all a great race. |
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