The Avalon Benefit 50-mile/50-K Run is set to return to Catalina Island on Jan. 10 and it currently looks like the weather might cooperate with that date. This year marks the 44th Annual running of this event and for more than 25 of those years, the Avalon Lions Club has been a contributing sponsor.
What makes their support unique is how they put their efforts to use in supporting the race and thus, the community. With 50 miles of racecourse across the island interior, the race requires an army of volunteers to man the many aid and water stations along the way.
So, local groups, such as Girl Scouts and school clubs provide volunteers for water stations and in turn, the Avalon Lions Club donates $1,000 to every group that provides support. Approximately 200 local and mainland volunteers chip in to help make this race happen.
The Avalon Lions Club was founded in 1947 and this is their main fundraising event of the year. The Two Harbors Brew Fest has become another major fundraiser for the club, which returns money raised to local community organizations. The Lions Club supports school sports, provides scholarships and also supports both of the local preschools – PLAY and Kid Ventures.
The Lions Club has also teamed up with the Catalina Island Conservancy to help maintain and make improvements to Haypress Park.
Other local supporters include Catalina Island Health, Catalina Express, Catalina Canyon Inn, Hermosa Hotel, Catalina Island Golf Cart and Catalina Charlies.
The Avalon Benefit 50/50 is managed by Spectrum Sports Management, and is now part of Run Catalina, a series of endurance races on Catalina Island. Next up in the Hi-Tec Run Catalina series are the Catalina Island Marathon on Mar. 14 and the Catalina Island Half Marathon on Nov. 14. Participants looking to earn the Catalina Island Triple Crown belt buckle need only register for and complete all three events within a 12-month period. No additional registration is required. For more information on the Hi-Tec Run Catalina series, visit RunCatalina.com. Follow the series on Instagram and Facebook. For more on the Avalon Lions Club, write to PO Box 305, call 310-702-7153 or ask a member you might know.
