We like to play outside around Bellingham and Whatcom County. We like it so much that we fill up our calendar with events and races of all different kinds. If you're looking to try Trail Running, Paddling, Mountain Biking, 5Ks, Marathons or just a fun run- it's all offered this spring and summer. The locals come out for these events and people travel from near and far to participate and enjoy what our corner of the world has to offer- spectacular venues, friendly people and great food & drink to celebrate with after it's all over. Thursday, May 1st - Saturday, May 3th MOB Roll Bellingham MOB Roll Bellingham - Bicycles, Music, Film and art. Kicking off Thursday night with Bike Polo and winding through the weekend with Bike Polo, Spoke & Word Ride & House Party; Alleycat Race & After Party. Saturday, May 3rd - Sunday, May 4th Enduro of Subdued Excitement Enduro of Subdued Excitement - Racers can expect 4 stages with approximately 4,000 feet of descending and overall times should be in the 25-35 minute range. The overall course is about 20 miles long with lots of pedaling and climbing between stages. Riders should plan for 4 to 6 hours of saddle time. Watch the Enduro of Subdued Excitement Video Saturday, May 10th Lost Lake 50K Lost Lake 50 K- "Lost Lake delivered everything that makes Northwest ultrarunning rewarding. Race Director Alvin Crain gave us miles of gorgeous single track, impeccable course marking, friendly competent volunteers and a semi-sadistic scenic detour for a close up view of the Lost Lake waterfall. The course and the logistics were stellar. Lost Lake is challenging (34 miles and > 8K of climb), very pretty and very well organized. Put it on your calendar for next year. You won't regret it." Charlie Crissman, Race Director of the Cascade Crest Classic 100 Mile Endurance. Saturday, May 17th Junior Ski to Sea The Junior Ski to Sea Race is an annual community event organized and hosted by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry. It has been held at Lake Padden since 1991 for participants who are in 3rd grade or older. Each year, six-member teams register to participate in a five-leg race consisting of running, three-legged race, biking, soccer and an obstacle course. Sunday, May 25th Ski to Sea The Ski to Sea Race is a multi-sport relay race open to all persons 15 years or older. The relay consists of cross-country skiing, downhill skiing or snowboarding, running, biking, canoeing, mountain biking and sea kayaking. A team will consist of one person for each leg of the race, except for the canoe leg (2 paddlers per canoe). Saturday, June 7th Girls on the Run Spring 5K Girls on the Run encourages positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants explore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges girls face at this age. Designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength, the Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their own terms. Saturday, June 21st Kulshan Quest Adventure Race Kulshan Quest Adventure Race will challenge people paddling on the waters of Bellingham Bay and trail running and mountain biking in the forests of Chuckanut Mountains and Fairhaven. Using sea kayaks, mt. bikes, and your trusty old feet, you will navigate a series of checkpoints using only map and compass to make your way from start to finish. Saturday, June 21st Bellingham Canoe and Kayak Sprint Races Bellingham Canoe and Kayak Sprint Races - Bellingham Regatta is open to sprint canoe and kayak, surfski, OC, and SUP. There will be 200m, 500m, 1000m, 2K and 5K races.The Regatta is open to all ages. Saturday, June 28th Bellingham BMX State Qualifiers Bellingham BMX State Qualifiers will be held on the ABA sanctioned BMX Track. Lake Padden Triathlon The Padden Triathlon is an excellent first, second or twenty-second triathlon. Our course is simple, beautiful and well staffed. In an effort to make this a race you'll enjoy year after year, we've made everything as simple as possible, so on race day you can focus on the event. Our goal is to make the Padden Triathlon the best organized, most affordable, chip timed event you'll do all summer. Sunday, June 29th Bellingham KIDS Traverse Starting and finishing in Civic Stadium, the Bellingham KIDS Traverse course offers a 1 mi. Run through Salmon Woods; 1.5 mi. Mountain Bike around Civic and Geri Fields; .5 mi. Obstacle Course inside Civic Stadium; .25 mi Team TREK to Mallard Ice Cream Finish Line. Saturday, July 12th Chuckanut Footrace Chuckanut Footrace- This point-to-point, seven-mile trail race starts at Marine Park in south Bellingham and finishes at Larrabee State Park, the oldest state park in Washington. The course follows the legendary Interurban Trail, which threads through the Chuckanut Mountains and features gorgeous views of Chuckanut Bay and the San Juan Islands. View the course map here. Buses will take runners back to the finish line and will leave with regularity. The finish-line party at Larrabee State Park will include live music, food, and drink. Age-group awards will be given, three deep in each five-year category. Top three male and female finishers will also be recognized. Friday, July 18th - Saturday, July 19th RAGNAR - Northwest Passage RAGNAR - Northwest Passage- For centuries, explorers, Vikings, and adventurers sought to navigate the illusive Northwest Passage. Today, a similarly daunting journey takes place for participants of the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage! You’ll begin your journey in the city of Blaine, then run relay style from point to point along a course designed by runners for runners. The gently rolling countryside will offer spectacular views, charming shops and quaint villages, and a peaceful starry night sky above. Runners traverse all the way to the coast where they will cross Deception Pass and finish in Langely, WA where the festivities of the Ragnar Finish Line await your team. This course is designed for runners who love to take it all in, and we are limiting the number of teams allowed to 500. This late summer adventure Will Sell Out, so get in and secure your team’s spot today! Saturday, July 26th Tour de Whatcom Tour de Whatcom- The rides are awesome. You get to see everything: Mt Baker, Lake Whatcom, valleys, rivers, lush farmland, beaches and Puget Sound all in one fairly level ride. Sunday, July 27th Chuckanut Mountain Marathon Chuckanut Mountain Marathon- This race marks the end of the 2014 Bellingham Trail Running Series! Which means we will have a rollicking good time before, during, and especially after the race! We will have live music from The Blackberry Bushes Stringband and excellent adult beverages. Saturday, August 2nd Lake Whatcom Run Lake Whatcom Run - This race is run on the beautiful Lake Whatcom Northshore trail. The race is 10K. The course, entirely on trail, is out and back with views of Lake Whatcom throughout. Age group, overall and random prizes will be awarded. Sunday, August 3rd Bellingham Youth Triathlon Bellingham Youth Triathlon has been initiating kids to the sport of triathlon since 1999. We work hard to create an environment of accomplishment for everyone involved. Each participant is awarded a medal as they cross the finish line, we encourage everyone to stay for the prize drawing at the finish where pretty much everyone wins something fun. Saturday, August 16th - Sunday, August 17th Ride from Seattle to Vancouver BC & Party- Enjoy 188 miles of scenic back roads (106 miles/3500' on day one and 82 miles/2400' on day two). RSVP starts on at the north end of the University of Washington's E1 parking lot and finishes in downtown Vancouver, Canada. The finish line festival includes a no-host bar, barbecue and music. Stay the night in Bellingham. (Here's a link to lodging options.) Saturday, August 16th Hamster Endurance Runs Hamster Endurance Runs- Once again, runners will be able to choose a 6, 12 , or 24 hr option, and run laps around beautiful Lake Padden during that time period. Saturday, August 16th Muds to Suds Muds to Suds- 22 Dirty Obstacles, including 8 mud pits that combine athletic stamina and your child hood fantasy of playing in the mud. You will need endurance to complete the approximately 2.5 mile course, humility to wallow in the mud and a smile to show off at the finish line! Sunday, August 24th Dog Days of Summer 10K & 2.6 mile Run/Walk Whatcom Humane Society's Dog Days of Summer 10K & 2.6 mile Run/Walk- Our popular all day festival for dogs and the people who love them. Fun Run/Walk and 10k Run around Lake Padden. Games, contests, exhibitions, food and fun for everyone!