Mike Bone - The Trail to Endurance

When the terrain changes in life and business, lessons from the trail can keep you strong, energized, focused, and productive! The podcast episode features Dr. Elisa Magill interviewing Mike Bone, owner and president of Spectrum Sports Management and race director for the Run Catalina events. Mike shares how Catalina Island's unique environment, tight-knit community, and challenging terrain make its endurance races deeply meaningful for participants. He describes the island as a "special place" that has drawn him back for 30 years, noting both its beauty and the logistical complexity of hosting events there. The conversation highlights how the endurance industry navigated COVID‑19, including the formation of the California Coalition of Endurance Sports to advocate for reopening and support the financial and charitable impact of races statewide. Mike also recounts memorable participant stories - from runners who have completed the Catalina events for 45 consecutive years to individuals overcoming personal challenges, weathering difficult conditions, or even running while pregnant. Throughout the discussion, both Elisa and Mike emphasize the transformative power of endurance sports for leaders, entrepreneurs, and everyday participants. They reflect on the camaraderie, resilience, and personal growth that come from trail running, as well as the community spirit of Catalina's residents and nonprofits who support the races. Mike explains the differences between trail and road running, the sustainability ethos of trail culture, and the joy his team finds in creating life‑changing experiences for runners. The episode closes with encouragement for leaders to stay active as part of their professional and personal well‑being, and with Elisa expressing gratitude for the race team's work as she prepares to run the Catalina Marathon herself. Find info on the Catalina Marathon at: https://runcatalina.com/