Saturday, Jan. 11, dawned with 375 runners spread out between Avalon and Two Harbors participating in the 33rd Annual Avalon 50 Mile Benefit Run.
This race officially begins in Avalon at 5 a.m. with runners turning around at Two Harbors and then returning to Avalon.
The Avalon Lions Club organizes this race under the direction of Avalon Lion John Regalado. Mike Bone of Spectrum Sports manages the event. A gigantic “thank you” to John and Mike.
Saturday, Jan. 11, dawned with 375 runners spread out between Avalon and Two Harbors participating in the 33rd Annual Avalon 50 Mile Benefit Run.
This race officially begins in Avalon at 5 a.m. with runners turning around at Two Harbors and then returning to Avalon.
The Avalon Lions Club organizes this race under the direction of Avalon Lion John Regalado. Mike Bone of Spectrum Sports manages the event. A gigantic “thank you” to John and Mike.
The proceeds from this race fund charities in Avalon and the Avalon Lions Scholarship Fund, which provides each Avalon High School graduate a scholarship to a collage or trade school.
Each year runners and their supporters make pledges to the Avalon Benefit 50 Mile Race. Thank you runners, families, friends and all who donated to this great event. To donate to the Avalon Lions Club Scholarship fund contact Burney Ramming at (310) 422-1406.
Seven aid stations are set up on the course offering the runners first aid, refreshments and support. Amateur radio operators from Catalina and the mainland report on the progress of each runner and relay messages back to race central in Avalon. Over the years this race has become known as a challenging course on a beautiful island with wonderful people.
This year’s first finisher was Fabrice Hardel of San Diego with a time of 6:05:55. The first female across the line was Stephanie Winners of Las Vegas with a time of 7:52:33. There are 14 different classes for runners by age group, male or female.
Avalon Fire Department Captain Mike Krug was the only Islander to finish the race with a time of 15:03:04. The most amazing class is the 70 and over group won by Kent Holder of Fox Island Washington with a time of 12:20:46.
For more information on the race go to avalon50.com. To see video of the finish line and interviews with participants and officials go to ecatalina.com.
The Avalon Lion Club Members wish to thank the Catalina Conservancy and the Catalina Island Company for permission to hold the race on their lands, the Conservancy Rangers for their support, Mercy Air for standing by, the Avalon School Cheer Squad for their enthusiasm at the finish line, the M Restaurant Team and Zest Catering for the delicious dinner, Greg Miller for the registration room, the City of Avalon Crew for banner placement, the Catalina Amateur Repeater Association for communications, Robin Cassidy for the beautiful ceramic awards and the Catalina Express for boat tickets.
These wonderful volunteers made the aid stations, fun and helpful; International Student Volunteers, Catalina Island Saddle Club, Catalina Island Pony Club, Ralph Morrow, Teresa Hernandez, Frank Minuto, JJ Guion, Buddy Raine and the Avalon Lions Club Members.
A special gynormus, bigasours, fantantastical thanks to all the dedicated, volunteers it took to make this benefit race the best ever.
Burney Ramming is president of the Avalon Lions Club.
