Rum Run Endurance Event Adopts Shorter And More-Protected Course

Exposed to wide-open Pacific Ocean off Southern California, the unprotected waters off the backside of Catalina Island can be the roughest leg of the traditional 112-mile Ocean Cup Series Rum Run endurance course. Those unprotected waters, combined with the overall distance of the Union Internationale Motonautique course, make the roundtrip race from Huntington Beach and around Catalina Island more than most would-be endurance racers with smaller vessels are willing to tackle.

More manageable for smaller boats, the new point-to-point Rum Run course is shorter and more protected than the traditional course. Photo courtesy/copyright of the Ocean Cup Series.

So for the fifth annual Rum Run presented by the Pacific Air Show and set for Friday, October 4, the organizers have adopted a shorter and more-protected “track” dubbed the APBA National course. The 73-mile, point-to-point course eliminates the backside portion of the run and keeps competitors on the leeward side of Catalina.

“Smaller boats without the fuel capacity to race more than 100 miles have expressed interest in joining this event,” said Janet Wilson, the general manager of the Ocean Cup Series, in a press release from the organization. “After speaking with several of the Catalina Ski Race teams, I called Rich Luhrs, the chairman of American Power Boat Association Offshore Racing Commission, to explore options. He suggested this front-facing course, which is not only shorter but will also be safer for smaller boats because the backside of Catalina can get gnarly.”

Teams participating in the Pacific Air Show practice Friday—the same days as the Rum Run—ahead of Saturday’s main aerial event. Boats that compete in the Rum Run will be displayed Saturday near the end of Main Street in Huntington Beach.

Registration for the event is still open.