The California International Marathon (CIM) has earned its reputation as the “Fastest Course in the West,” serving as a premier pilgrimage site for marathoners seeking personal bests, Boston Marathon qualifications, and U.S. Olympic Trials qualifiers. But at this year’s race on Sunday, December 6, 2026, a select group of runners will test a different kind of speed variable: self-reliance.
CIM and HydraPak—the race’s Official Sustainability Partner for 2026—have announced the launch of the “Carry Your Own” Athlete Cohort, a 25-runner initiative spearheaded by climate activist, author, and elite runner Tina Muir. The cohort will tackle CIM’s net-downhill course carrying 100% of their own water and custom fueling setups, bypassing traditional single-use cups in favor of dedicated course refill infrastructure.
Testing Sustainability on a Course Where Every Second Counts
The initiative directly addresses one of road racing’s most persistent dilemmas: can endurance athletes pursue ambitious time goals while minimizing their environmental footprint?
To support the cohort—and any of the thousands of field participants who choose to carry handhelds or soft flasks—HydraPak is installing three high-flow refill stations along the CIM course at miles 6.7, 14, and 20.5. Traditional aid stations with single-use cups will remain operational for the general field, but the new refill stations give runners an eco-friendly alternative without forcing them to sacrifice their personalized fueling strategies.
“At CIM, we’re always looking for ways to make race day better for our runners and for the community that hosts us,” said Scott Abbott, Executive Director of the Sacramento Running Association and CIM. “The ‘Carry Your Own’ cohort lets us test whether runners can chase fast times while cutting down on single-use waste. We were excited to find a partner in HydraPak that shares that commitment, and the refill stations give us the infrastructure to find out what’s possible on one of the fastest courses in the country.”
From Chicago and New York to Sacramento: A Growing Movement
The CIM initiative follows successful “Carry Your Own” activations by HydraPak at major marathons earlier this season, including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the TCS New York City Marathon.
While major World Marathon Majors have begun integrating soft-flask refill zones to manage massive field sizes, CIM offers a unique testing ground: a point-to-point, net-downhill course engineered purely for peak athletic performance. If self-hydration proves seamless in an environment where runners count seconds, it could accelerate adoption across mid-sized and regional qualifying marathons nationwide.
“Every runner has a unique fueling strategy, and we believe they should have the flexibility to execute it on race day,” said Jennifer Krupey, VP of Marketing at HydraPak. “Our partnership with CIM is about making it easier for runners to carry the hydration or fuel they want, refill when they need to, and keep moving. We’re excited to help give athletes more choice and control over their race-day hydration.”
Why Self-Hydration Matters for Marathoners
For marathoners, carrying custom hydration systems—such as HydraPak’s soft flasks or handheld sleeves—delivers benefits beyond environmental stewardship:
- Custom Fuel Precision: Runners can mix exact carbohydrate and electrolyte ratios rather than relying on standard on-course sports drinks.
- Reduced Aid Station Congestion: Bypassing crowded early-mile cup tables helps preserve rhythm and avoid accidental trips or collisions.
- Continuous Hydration: Carrying water allows runners to sip at regular intervals rather than gulping cups every 2 to 3 miles.
“We don’t think runners should have to choose between a PR and a lighter footprint,” Abbott added. “This cohort is a real-world test on a course where every second counts. What we learn from Tina and these twenty-five athletes will help shape how CIM approaches hydration and sustainability in the years ahead.”
Fast Facts: CIM x HydraPak “Carry Your Own”
- Event Date: Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Cohort Lead: Tina Muir (25 total athletes)
- Refill Station Locations: Mile 6.7, Mile 14, and Mile 20.5
- Field Accessibility: Open to all CIM participants carrying handhelds or soft flasks; standard cup stations remain active.
- More Info: runcim.org/sustainability
Coverage of sustainability initiatives across the World Marathon Majors and global road racing is hosted on MarathonJournal.com.
