Catalina Island Marathon
Race Day Weather
Cool conditions, manageable winds
Runners will face a cool start at 55°F with humidity at 81%, maintaining similar temperatures throughout the race. A light tailwind will aid them from miles 1-4 and again from miles 11-16, while crosswinds will challenge runners in the middle segments. With temperatures remaining steady and low humidity, no major pacing adjustments are necessary, but runners should stay mindful of hydration as they tackle the hilly terrain.
This course climbs 1,526 ft to its high point and back, so we look at it at 2 points, not just the start line. In a typical year, at 9:00/mi, you start at 55° and finish around 10:55 AM in 55°.
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Race Info
The Catalina Island Marathon is a point-to-point trail marathon run each March from Two Harbors to Avalon on Santa Catalina Island, California. It serves as California's State Off-Road Marathon Championship and is billed as the oldest trail marathon in the state, typically selling out; the 2026 race drew more than 1,400 participants across its marathon, 10K and 5K distances. The course climbs and descends on dirt roads and trails through Catalina Island Conservancy land, and race-weekend access depends on the Catalina Express ferry schedule to the island. The 2027 edition, the marathon's 49th running, is scheduled for March 13.
