Information on boat transportation:

Make your boat and hotel reservations early. This is a very busy weekend in Avalon and space fills quickly. Below are your options for boats over to the Island for the weekend.

1. Travel to Avalon Friday day/evening via the Catalina Express, Catalina Flyer or Marina del Rey Flyer. Stay overnight in Avalon on Friday and take the race day boat from Avalon to Two Harbors on Saturday morning. The race day boat ticket from Avalon to Two Harbors must be purchased through Pacific Sports LLC (see information below)

2. Friday Travel for Marathon Participants Only: Travel to Two Harbors on Friday evening via the Catalina Express or Marina del Rey Flyer. Stay overnight in Two Harbors and be at the start of the race on Saturday ready to go.

3. Saturday Travel for Marathon Participants Only: The Marina del Rey Flyer will be offering a race day boat to Two Harbors for race participants that do not want to stay over night in Avalon or Two Harbors. The MDR race day boat will depart at 4:15 am and arrive in Two Harbors at 5:30 am. This same boat will go onto Avalon, arriving at 6:15am for 5K, 10K, and Kid's Run participants and family/friends. Please visit http://www.catalinaferries.com/pacific-sports.html for a complete list of race day departure times.

** Ferry accommodations cannot be transferred for participants that have already booked their boat tickets through Pacific Sports. This is a option for participants that have not already booked their Race Day Boat Accommodations. Their will be no refunds, rollovers, or exchanges for any Race Day Boat Tickets.

Questions you may have if you take the boat from MDR the morning of the race:

1. I would like to cancel my Race Day Boat Ticket and take the Marina del Rey early morning boat?

We will not be offering any refunds, rollovers, or exchanges for the Race Day Boat.

2. How will I know for sure I will make it in time for the race?

Pacific Sports assumes no responsibility for delays or cancellations due to weather/sea conditions, mechanical failures, passenger safety, or other events out of our control. Please understand that taking the same day race boat will be at your own risk.

3. How do I pick-up my registration packet race day morning?

Registration Packets can be picked-up at Two Harbors the morning of March 15, 2008 between 5:30am-6: 30am. Participants must understand this will not leave them much time to register and set-up. You must notify Pacific Sports-Kylee Belflower (714) 978-1528 if you choose to pick-up your packet the morning of in Two Harbors so we can have it available for your arrival.

4. What will I do with all my belongings in Two Harbors?

There will be a truck that will transport clothing, camping equipment, etc. from Two Harbors to Avalon once the race starts. You should have your items clearly marked in a bag with your name and race number. We will have extra bags in Two Harbors if you need them. You can pick up your clothing in Avalon by the stage at the finish line. We are not responsible for lost items. Do not take valuables, credit cards, keys or anything that you cannot live without. If you leave any items at an aid station, we can not guarantee that they will be returned to Avalon, but more than likely they will be brought back to Avalon after the stations are torn down and those items will be left in the same area.

5. How do I get back to MDR from Avalon if I arrived from MDR at Two Harbors?

All reservation questions and concerns can be answered by the Marina del Rey Flyer. Please contact Monique@catalinaferries.com or by calling (310) 305-7250.

6. What does the website mean by *via Two Harbors/*via Avalon?

The times with the (*) indicate they will be stopping at that location briefly on the way to their destination.

Two Harbors
Camping, Cabins, Hotels and the Safari Bus

There is camping in Two Harbors if you choose to stay there the night before the race. All sites have a picnic table, fire pit and BBQ. The phone number is 310-510-2800 for reservations. The Banning House is the only hotel in Two Harbors.

There are also cabins—each cabin has a refrigerator and heater and shares a restroom, shower and cooking area with other cabins. Reservation are required and sell out very quickly. 310-510-2800

If you are taking the race day boat from Avalon to the start in Two Harbors and you wish to bring someone with you, they can purchase a ticket to go with you. In order for them to get back to Avalon, they must take the Safari Bus back. This is true also for non-participants staying in Two Harbors and wishing to get to Avalon for the finish of the race. The bus will leave Two Harbors at Noon and arrives in Avalon at 2 pm. Call 310.510.8368 for reservations. (Highly Recommended)

Boat Service to Catalina Island

Your boat ticket over to Catalina Island is not included with your entry. You must make your own reservations to get over to Catalina Island. You can take a ferry or a helicopter. Or, if you are adventurous, you can swim. Here is information on all of the ferry services.

Catalina Express: (800) 481-3470

Catalina Express has year-round service and up to 30 daily departures from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. High-speed boats get you there in about an hour.  Call or log on to www.catalinaexpress.com for schedules and fares.

Catalina Passenger Service: (800) 830-7744 or (949) 673-5245

The Catalina Flyer has boats departing from Newport Beach. Call or visit their website for more information. One boat per day, leaving in the morning at 9:00 AM and coming back to Newport Beach at 4:30 PM. Check website for current fares.

Catalina-Marina del Rey Flyer: (310) 305-7250

The MARINA FLYER, Southern California's newest passenger ferry, provides fast-ferry service from MARINA DEL REY to Santa Catalina Island (both Avalon and Two Harbors). Located just 8 minutes from LAX, the MARINA FLYER is the convenient choice for visitors to Los Angeles as well as Westside and S.F. Valley residents. Our very stable high-tech hydrofoil-assisted catamaran features spacious seating, panoramic views, a sun deck, Admirals Lounge and full snack and cocktail bar. Check our website for Special Ferry Service to support the Buffalo Run, Catalina Marathon, and Catalina Triathlon.

http://www.catalinaferries.com/pacific-sports.html

Marathon Race Day Boat

If you are staying in Avalon on Friday night, race management provides a chartered "race day boat" which takes all participants from Avalon to the start of the race in Two Harbors the morning of the race. The boat departs Avalon from the cruise dock at 5:00 am SHARP! It will arrive in Two Harbors at 5:45 am. They will have coffee, juice, water and chips for you to purchase if you would like. It is recommended that you purchase a ticket when you enter the race, either online or when sending a form into our office. There is no guarantee that there will be spots on the boat if you wait until Friday night to purchase a ticket.

If you purchased a ticket with your entry, you will pick up your ticket with your race number at registration on Friday evening. If you purchased a ticket for someone who is not participating in the race, the marathon race day boat is not coming back to Avalon. They must take a Safari Bus or the Marina del Rey Flyer from Two Harbors to Avalon.

If you want to come in from the mainland on Saturday morning directly into Two Harbors, the Marina Del Rey Flyer has an early morning boat. Other than personal transportation, this is the only way to come in from the mainland on Saturday morning in time for the start of the race. For complete details on this boat and a schedule, go to http://www.catalinaferries.com/PacificSports.html

Accomodations

Host Hotel and Post Race Party Location

The Host Hotel and Post Race Party Host for the Catalina Marathon is the Catalina Canyon Resort & Spa. Runners, after you've conquered the hills of Catalina, relax it's CANYON TIME!! From here everything else is downhill. Complimentary resort shuttle service from Avalon's Catalina Express boat terminal, the helicopter terminal and the Downtown Plaza.

888 Country Club Drive • Avalon, CA 90704
Phone: 310.510.0325 • Fax: 310.510.3542

• 24hr Fitness Center, Heated Swimming Pool, Hot Tub and Cedar Sauna
• On-Site Massage Therapists (Spa at Catalina)
• Restaurant (Canyon Bar & Grill)
• Complimentary Wireless Internet
• 3000 sq. ft. of Meeting/Banquet space
• 835 sq. ft. Presidential Suite
• Elevators, Safe Deposit Boxes, 83 Channels of Cable Television with Pay-Per-View Movies and Pet Friendly.
• Catalina Express to Hotel driving distance = 3 minute

The resort would like to extend a special rate of $89.00 to all of our Catalina Marathon participants. All athletes interested in the $89.00 room rate must call the hotel directly at (310) 510-0325 and mention the rate to the front office reservation agent.

How to get to the Catalina Canyon Resort and Spa:

Resort Shuttle: The Resort offers complimentary shuttle service from the Catalina Express boat dock, the helicopter landing and the Downtown Plaza (Plaza pick-up located on the
green bench next to Von's Express on Catalina Street). Approximate travel time = 3 minutes.

Walking: From the Green Pier walk south on Catalina Street (away from the water) 2 blocks to Tremont street.Turn right. At the intersection follow signs towards The Country Club (uphill). Follow road to the left, continue pass the Country Club and the hotel will be your right-hand side.
Approximate travel time = 10 minutes.For additional information, you may contact the hotel at (310) 510-0325

***Most every hotel in Avalon is within walking distance of the start and finish of the race.

Seaport Village Inn
(310) 510-0344 or (800) 222-8254

Packages include roundtrip sea passage, roundtrip transfers, Celebration Champagne delivered to the room on Saturday afternoon, 2 nights stay with a late checkout on Sunday, hot breakfast each morning.  Starting at $119 per person plus tax (based on double occupancy (one bed)).

Catalina Beach House Hotel
(800) 97-HOTEL
(310) 510-1078
http://www.catalinabeachhousehotel.com

The Catalina Beach House Hotel: The #1 Choice for Athletes...Packages start at $128 per person plus tax. Athletes packages include round trip boat fare for two and two night stay at the hotel. The hotel is one block up from beach, shops, and restaurants. Luxury packages also available with jacuzzi tubs.

Hotel Villa Portofino
European Elegance on the Oceanfront
(310) 510-0555
(888)-510-0555

Hermosa Hotel
888-592-1313

Hunt & Associates Vacation Rentals
P.O. Box 2148 | Avalon, California 90704 | 310-510-2721 | Fax: 310-510-7234
Please mention the Catalina Marathon

Information on Catalina Island

If you need information on anything about travel, hotel or the island in general, check out the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau: 310.510.1520. They can tell you hotels that have vacancies at the time you call. You can also check vacancies online on their web site.

eCATALINA.com, another great source of information about the island

1500 S. Sunkist Street, Suite E
Anaheim, CA 92806
714.978.1528 phone 714.978.1505 fax
Info@PacificSportsLLC.com