SACRAMENTO, CA – November 3, 2026 – The California International Marathon (CIM), known as the “Fastest Course in the West,” will serve up a different kind of challenge this year. Climate activist, author, and elite runner Tina Muir is spearheading twenty-five athletes in the “Carry Your Own” Athlete Cohort, a new initiative designed to promote athlete self-reliance along the marathon course.
“Carry Your Own” is part of a new strategic partnership between CIM and HydraPak, the Official Sustainability Partner of CIM in 2026. Through this partnership, three HydraPak water refill stations will be incorporated into the course to support runners and reduce reliance on single-use cup waste.
Using custom CIM-branded HydraPak gear, the cohort will run the entire marathon carrying their own water and fuel. Traditional aid stations will remain available to all CIM participants, while cohort members will take a different approach. HydraPak refill stations will be found at miles 6.7, 14, and 20.5. All race participants are encouraged to carry their own bottles or handheld systems to take full advantage of these new water refill stations.
“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.”
CIM draws runners from across the U.S. who flock to the race to chase PRs and Boston qualifying times. The “Carry Your Own” Athlete Cohort will put a simple question to the test: Can runners pursue and achieve ambitious race goals while carrying and refilling their own hydration and fuel?
“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.”
“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.”
For more information about this partnership, please visit runcim.org/sustainability, and for media inquiries, please contact stacy@darbycommunications.com.
ABOUT HYDRAPAK
HydraPak® is the leading original equipment manufacturer of soft flasks, reservoirs, and water storage solutions globally. Founded in Northern California, the company is dedicated to producing flexible and durable hydration products tailored for recreational, athletic, and military use. HydraPak and its proprietary brand, Bottle Bright® cleaning tablets, are category leaders. Over the past 20 years, HydraPak has not only pioneered new product categories but has also become a trusted partner for hundreds of renowned global brands and athletes.
ABOUT CIM
California International Marathon (CIM) is a premier road race founded in 1983. It is a top achievement for marathoners and a major qualifying race for the Boston Marathon and the Olympic Trials. Learn more at runcim.org.
