Imagine a perfect foot race on a beautiful island. Picture blue skies, green hillsides, a gentle breeze, and lazy bison watching runners go by from their vantage points. About nine hundred long distance runners, their families, and friends voyaged from mainland Southern California to Catalina Island for this race. Each year the second weekend in January one of the best trail runs in the USA takes place on Catalina Island. Think 26 miles across the sea. Remember the Beach Boys Song?
Avalon Lions Club Members, Catalina Residents and Spectrum Sports Personnel all teamed up to provide a wonderful experience for everyone. Avalon Lion Dave Zeller of Zeller Construction donated his time and his large flatbed truck to bring and return race equipment from storage. Avalon Lion Jamie Hmielak spent many hours coordinating the details of this race. Avalon Resident Gabriel Saldana with the Catalina Amateur Repeater Association provided vital communication from the finish line to the nine runner aid stations on the racecourse. Santa Hernandez with the Metropole Hotel donated their conference room for the race check-in. Many Thanks to the City of Avalon Recreation Department, The Catalina Conservancy Staff, The Avalon LA County Deputy Sherifs and the employees of Catalina Beverage Company.
Running clubs from California and individual runners from many US States all did their best on the hills and roads of Catalina Island. A group of runners supporting orphan children in Vietnam ran the 50K Race. The 3 P Triteam Running Club from Southern California brought 70 Runners, they rented 10 Avalon Homes for runners and family members to enjoy their sixth year of The Avalon Benefit Run. Ana Uslu and the LA Azusa Pacers Racers, celebrated finishing the race day with peanut butter whisky shots. They made me try it, very yummy for my tummy.
Each of the nine-volunteer runner aid station groups were given $1,000 for their support. The Avalon Girls Soccer team finish line girls will receive $500. The Avalon City Sports Field’s New Score Board was partially paid for by race funds. Avalon Residents who need to go the mainland for serious medical help and cannot afford it are given Catalina Express Ticket Books. Each Avalon High School Graduate is given a Lions Club Scholarship to the school of their choice. All money raised by the Avalon Lions Club is returned to the people of Avalon.
The complete Avalon 50/50 Benefit Race finish times and runners names can be found by contacting Run Catalina.com. The 50 Mile Race had 350 Starters and the 50 Kilometer Race had 440 Starters. The winner of the Men’s Over All 50 Mile was Michael Ruf, 6:22:00, second Sheldon Wananabe, 6:31:36, third, Robert Webber, 6:31:53. The Over All Winner of the Female 50 Mile Race was, Catherine Leclair 7:38.21, second, Anne Maxwell, 8:20:47, third, Iris Martinez 8:27:52. The winner of the Men’s 50 Kilometer Over All was Cody Postkim, 3:36:20; second Ishan Patnak, 4:12:57; third, Eric Wostenberg, 4:13:04. The Over All Winner of the Female 50 Kilometer Race was Stefanie Kuhfuzs, 4:38:18, second, Melina Devoney, 4:45:34. third, Gabriellia Escobar, 4:55:10.
