Bellingham and Whatcom County are known worldwide for the "Grandaddy of all Races", Ski to Sea. Hosted over Memorial Day weekend, the relay race is a great way to kick off a summer of outdoor adventure with friendly competition. Our race calendar is full all year long and the signal to the end of summer comes with incredible races to do throughout the month of September into October. This time of year is popular for events, with the great weather that usually presents itself (we hope). Saturday, September 6th RUN: Lake Padden Relay- The course consists of four 2.59 mile laps counter clockwise around the lake on grass and trails, starting by the picnic shelter (east entrance). The course is mainly flat and over half wooded, with one brief steep upgrade and three rolling hills all in the woods on the southwest side of the lake. Saturday, September 13th PADDLE: Samish Salmon Row The 5.5 mile course starts and ends at Lutherwood Camp, and is arranged so that spectators will have one of the best opportunities of the season to watch the race. Salmon BBQ lunch with all the fixings will be held directly following the race. Included with registration fee for racers, $8 for spectators. RUN: Waterfront 15K Whether running or walking along this 9.3 mile course, you get a great opportunity to traverse Bellingham Bay’s beautiful waterfront. Tour the Taylor Street Dock, Boulevard Park, downtown and the marina. Sunday, September 14th ROAD BIKE: Chuckanut Classic (formerly Chuckanut Century) Come join us and ride one of the most scenic rides in Washington. With many routes offered you can pick your distance ranging from 25, 38, 50, 62, 100, or the double metric century of 124 miles. Although all cyclists should be fully prepared when they take to the roads you can enjoy the added security of knowing that there is ride support if needed and food stops with a wide variety of high-energy food and drinks along all of the routes. Saturday, September 20th MULTI-SPORT: The Grand Finale of the Northwest Traverse Series, Vital Choice Bellingham Traverse is a multi-sport event celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon and the natural and urban challenges of their journey. Solo, tandem and relay teams challenge themselves and one another on a rugged course that highlights the City of Bellingham’s Parks, Greenways System, bike-friendly roads, and open water opportunities for recreation. Saturday, September 27th RUN: Silver Lake Cross-Country Run is an opportunity to challenge yourself on a great cross country course, and then watch some of the state's best high school runners compete in the Mt. Baker Invite starting at 10:00AM. RUN: Bellingham Bay Marathon offers beautiful courses, with views of Bellingham Bay, San Juan islands, and North Cascade mountains, the marathon is often called “the most beautiful marathon in the Pacific Northwest.” RUN/WALK: Whatcom Crop Hunger Walk We had our first CROP Hunger Walk in Bellingham in September of 2005 at Lake Padden. Since then, this has been annual event in Fairhaven. I enjoy these walks because I like walking and I like to meet with the participants. But, there is more. CROP Hunger Walk is probably the best way to bring world hunger to the attention of the greater community. Money collected contributes to local food banks, as well as, Church World Services (CWS). CWS has continuous presence throughout the world. It helps provide food and water, disaster relief, refugee relief, and infrastructure development supporting food production and distribution. Saturday, October 4th GIRLS RUN: Run Like a Girl Half-Marathon is a non-competitive event for those who just want to get out and have some fun. Never participated in a half-marathon before? No problem! You can go as far as you feel comfortable. There’s no pressure to complete the entire 13.1 miles. Worried about the pace? Please understand that we use the word “run” loosely. Go as slow or as fast as you’d like. Most of our participants walk. And if you’re concerned you won’t make the 4 hour cut off, get an early start or turn around early! We’ll mark each mile celebratory style. Just to give a hint – this is probably the only half marathon you’ll get to proudly wear your very own dazzling tiara. And it wouldn’t be “girl-style” if we didn’t offer the chocolate mile, and other fun surprises along the way. Receive a beautiful finisher’s medal hand-made by a local artist when you cross the finish line. You will be personally adorned with this by our very own local firefighters. KIDS BIKE: Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day WMBC will be hosting an opportunity for you to take your family or friends to a supported event for all ages and abilities. We will be set up at Lake Padden between the softball fields and basketball court and will have two guided rides for beginner and advanced bikers (this will be a cross country ride) and a supervised course for children on Strider bikes. The event runs from 2 to 4pm and rides will depart around 2:15. Bring water, a helmet, and a bike. Saturday, October 18th MOUNTAIN BIKE: Chuckanut Enduro Mountain Bike Race You do not want to miss the Cascadia Dirt Cup Series Finale! Some of the best trails in the NW thanks to the WMBC. PADDLE: Bellingham Canoe and Kayak Sprint includes ICF canoe and kayaks; High Performance Kayaks; Outrigger Canoes and SUP. RUN: Get your fill of dirt, rocks and roots at the Flora Lake Padden Trail Half – a 13.1 mile TRAIL half-marathon to support the kids in our community! The dense forest around Lake Padden, (located in beautiful Bellingham, WA) gives way to a challenging and memorable course designed for intermediate to advanced runners. All proceeds will benefit Rebound of Whatcom County, a local charity dedicated to the children on the fringes of our community. Sunday, October 26th RUN: Run Wild Whatcom is a totally different kind of adventure race. Part race, part scavenger hunt, part route finding, part Halloween celebration. You'll start at our main start/finish area, and visit three points within Whatcom Falls Park, collecting a token at each. The order in which you choose to visit the points, and the route you take is up to you, as long as you stay within the boundaries. Sunday, November 9th RUN: Bellingham Trail Marathon & Half is a stunning mix of trail running in Bellingham with lots of tough climbs on single track trails, as well as fast interurban trails and a short road section. With 5,000 feet of climbing, this may be the toughest marathon in Washington! The race connects two of the most popular trail systems, Lake Padden and Chuckanut Mountain. Runners will enjoy lake and forest views through Padden Park and expansive views of the city of Bellingham, the Cascade Mountain range, and Bellingham Bay from Chuckanut Ridge. All finishers get a custom made medal and catered post race meal by mobile pizza folks! Saturday, November 22nd RUN: Turkey Trot Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham, WA. Benefiting the Bellingham Food Bank. Course: 5K course at Whatcom Falls Park. This year, registration will be at Whatcom Falls Park Main Picnic Shelters. Entry Fee: $8.00 minimum donation to the Food Bank per runner (maximum $20 per family). Kids under 12 Free. GBRC Members Free-but donations welcome.
