SoCal race makes a mark as the only trail race in the ranking among other notable marathons
AVALON, Calif. — USA TODAY has named the Hi-Tec Catalina Island Marathon one of the top 10 best marathons in the country in its 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice awards. The lists are curated by USA Today 10Best editors and panel subject matter experts who review thousands of races across the country, narrowing it down to the top 20 in each category, which are then voted on by the public to determine the top 10 winners.
The Catalina Island Marathon is joined on the list by other notable and highly acclaimed races, including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Big Sur International Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon and Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. What sets the island race apart is that it is the only trail race among ranked races, making a huge mark for the growing trail running industry.
The Catalina Island Marathon’s trail terrain features over 4,300 ft. of elevation gain, over double the amount of the Big Sur International Marathon, the next highest elevation gain of all the marathons on the top 10 list. The Catalina Island Marathon is not known for setting personal records (PRs), yet it has gained attention for creating an experience like no other race. The event features the opportunity to explore protected and preserved land with ocean views and the potential to see bison, bald eagles, Catalina Island foxes and other wildlife from afar along the route.
“To be recognized at this level is truly such an honor. Seeing our event’s name listed alongside such world-renowned races feels unreal, and, yet, we know this race deserves the attention it has gained,” said Mike Bone, President and CEO of Spectrum Sports Management, producer of the Hi-Tec Catalina Island Marathon. “We work hard to make the Catalina Island Marathon a memorable experience that has that true community connection throughout all of race weekend, and the results of that hard work are truly showing as we continue to see sell-out numbers across all our Catalina Island events, and rave reviews from participants nationwide.”
The Catalina Island Marathon welcomed a sold-out crowd at its 2026 event on March 14, where it provided an on-foot scenic tour through Catalina Island’s famous trails, starting in Two Harbors and finishing in Avalon. The one-of-a-kind vistas and challenging climbs have been enjoyed by thousands of runners for close to five decades, making it the oldest trail marathon in the state of California. An appeal of the Catalina Island Marathon is that it is consistently scheduled on Saturdays to allow for visitors to enjoy a true ‘race-cation’ experience, and spend extra time on the island exploring all the other great offerings.
The event also prides itself on its many sustainability practices and its continued close work with the Catalina Island Conservancy, one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California. The conservancy protects 88 percent of Catalina Island, including more than 62 miles of unspoiled beaches and secluded coves, as well as miles of trails for the marathon as a part of their goal to keep the island ‘wild’.
For more information on The Catalina Island Marathon, visit www.catalinaislandmarathon.com. Follow the event on Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT THE HI-TEC CATALINA ISLAND MARATHON AND SPECTRUM SPORTS MANAGEMENT
Managed by Spectrum Sports Management, the Hi-Tec Catalina Island Marathon provides the opportunity to run one of Southern California’s most popular natural attractions, and participate in California’s oldest trail marathon. A recognized leader in endurance and sporting events in Southern California, Spectrum Sports Management & Timing Services creates a wide range of events and has over 50 years of collective industry experience. Spectrum Sports Management emphasizes delivering a premiere, professional and world-class service to their clients, their participants and the communities in which they work. To learn more, visit www.SpectrumSports.net.