This year we had superb weather on Catalina for the race.  For the first time in my memory, we had a clear day in all respects.  A noticeable increase in first timers at Catalina and plenty who had never been to the island before, always fun to see the reaction.  John Duke, publisher of Triathlete (and now Velo News and Inside Triathlon) was over for what I believe was his 20th CM. He comes nowadays with a group of people including former World Record holder in the marathon, Steve Jones.  Steve now runs in 4+ hours and just for fun these days.  He did come up to me after the race and said he was going to get in shape for next year.  What can a man of his stature and running a 2:07 and change in the mid 80's run on Catalina 25 years later? I would like to find out.

During the race there were a lot of buffalo out in the middle section of the course, some even on the course itself.  Did not hear any reports of problems but I will bet there were some startled runners at times.  One problem we need to address next year are those that enter as a "walker".  We allow them to leave early since its such a rugged point-to-point course.  The issue is some of them don't "walk".  We have had numerous reports of walker starting early, then running the course and even a few ending up with awards.  How someone would find that acceptable is beyond me, but I have been in the business too long to know this kind of behavior does not occur.  We are looking at some preventive measures and severe penalties (including a lifetime ban) on violations. 

Have to conclude with our thanks again to the Morrows, Pat & Ralph. Without them, we would find it nearly impossible to stage this great marathon.  A special thanks to them.