Party Tour

I, instead of Dan Empfield, am writing about this final stop on the Slowtwitch Party Tour because of my long history with the Catalina triathlon (though Dan's history with the race is not without its colorful moments).

Bill Fulton (of the L.A. Triathlon Series), and I put on the first Catalina triathlon in 1984, and produced the event for the next seven years. It became the place where everyone would unwind after a long season. I was the original course director, and most of the roads we used then are still used for the course today. The only major changes are an extra climb and descent up the famous Wrigley mansion hill, and a little softening of the hills in the 5k run.

The event went through many changes once we left its management, but has found a home with Pacific Sports. They have been running the event for the last several years, and its popularity is at an all-time high. It’s expected to draw some 800 athletes this year, double what it drew during most of its history. In the late '80s Catalina was the final race of a national series, and was frequently televised on major networks.

The distances suggest an easy race, but I can assure you that when you’ve finished the half-mile swim, 12-mile bike, and 5k run, you will be quite satisfied with your effort. As we say up here at Xantusia, you’ll get your money's worth.

The swim is held in Avalon harbor among Catalina's glass-bottom boats and those of mainland visitors tied up at moorings. The bike starts easily enough with a flat mile along the coastline, and then climbs a steep, switchback hill. Once descending, you must stay alert on the very technical downhill. This has always been my favorite part of the course, and this year’s race has us going over this loop 3 times.

The run starts out through the quaint little town of Avalon, and is a gradual uphill all the way to the turnaround. Then it’s again toward shore as you descend the last mile and half to the boardwalk and finish line. You’ll not only be cheered by the usual friends and spouses of the racers, but by about five thousand or so people on shore leave from the cruise ships.

Avalon is known to be a party town, and the reputation is doubly earned on triathlon weekend. While at Nationals last month in Shreveport I was talking to Emilio DeSoto and Mike Collins at a local watering hole. Both indicated that they would be coming back this year. Between the three of us we've won this race seven times. We are all old now, but we're not giving any quarter to the younger guys.

If you are planning on going, make sure and stay Saturday night (the race is Saturday morning). The racers fill up the town and take it over for their season-ending celebration. Emilio and I are going to see how many of the 50 brands of tequilas we can sample at the local tequila bar. If you think you're tough, join us. Not for the tequila (that's the easy part), but for the annual hangover run on Sunday morning.

Regardless of your pre- or post-race plans, you'll need to register for the race (see Pacific Sports website), and for the boat ride over and back, and you must make a hotel (or camping) reservation. So get crackin'.