In 2021 and 2022 we hosted a Virtual event. The segments and gpx files recorded by the RD are included below in the descriptions.
ThE Course divided into 6 Segments
Segment 1 - SB on the Interurban - 6.7 miles / 10.8 km
Elevation Gain 417 ft / 127 m Elevation Loss 361 ft / 110 m
Notes from the 50k course: Fairhaven Park to Lost Lake Parking Lot. If you are running on the actual course, don’t forget we start by the upper pavilion, run down the road through the park, past the lower pavilion, cross the bridge over the creek and up onto the Urb, south bound of course. Because the Arroyo Bridge was out we had to run along the shoulder of Chuckanut Drive (Hwy 11) from the Old Samish Road crossing to the North Chuckanut Trailhead. AS OF 2024 THE ARROYO BRIDGE IS FIXED. THE GPX FILE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SECTION THROUGH ARROYO PARK.
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 1
Google Map Link for Start and Finish routes out of and in to Fairhaven Park
Segment 2 - Lost Lake Parking Lot to Two Dollar Trailhead on Cleator Rd - 4.2 miles / 6.76 km
Elevation Gain 1184 ft / 361 m Elevation Loss 751 ft / 229 m
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 2
Notes from the 50k course: From the Lost Lake Parking Lot, exit behind the pit toilets on to Fragrance Lake Road. At the bend in the road, turn left through the fence and onto the trail that loops around the reservoir where you T with the Interurban, turn right now north bound. Turn right again through another fence and head up the Fragrance Lake Trail. At the lake stay right around the lake. Turn Right on Two Dollar trail after multiple bridged creek crossings. Turn right to stay on the trail and follow to Cleator Rd.
Segment 3 - Cleator Burn - 2.85 miles / 4.6 km
Elevation Gain 1178 ft / 359 m Elevation Loss 13 ft / 4 m
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 3
Notes from the 50k course: From the Two Dollar Trailhead you are headed UPHILL! This one is straight forward, run to the top of the road. The 50k course turns on to the Ridge Trail just before the actual top so this segment ends at the Ridge Trail.
Segment 4 - The Ridge Loop - 8.69 miles / 14 km
Elevation Gain 2090 ft / 637 m Elevation Loss 2090 ft / 637 m
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 4
Notes from the 50k course: We suggest following the GPX route especially for this segment. (link above) After joining the ridge trail be sure to watch your footing AND take in the views of Mt. Baker. Turn right on the North Lost Lake Trail. Right on South Lost Lake Trail. Turn right UP Chinscraper (aka Little Black Diamond) at the GATE AHEAD sign- be aware of Mountain bikers speeding down and be sure to follow the hikers route up. Aid station 4 is at the bottom of Chinscraper. Continue straight up (don’t take the side trails around) and then a short steep descent pops you at the top of Cleator Rd at Cypress overlook, another view worth taking in should the clouds allow. Turn right down the road and the segment finishes at the same place you started, at the entrance to the Ridge Trail.
Segment 5 - IT Band blaster - 2.8 Miles / 4.5 KM
Elevation Gain 43 ft / 13.1 m Elevation Loss 1601 ft / 488 m
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 5
Notes from the 50k course: We know lots of runners who have blasted this section and therefore worked over their IT band making the last 6 miles/10k of the race a struggle fest, including the current race RD. This segment starts near the top of Cleator Rd and descends to the bottom of Fragrance Lake Trail on the Interurban. From the top of Cleator there are two key turns! The left hairpin on to the upper part of Fragrance Lake Road AND the right turn through the fence on to Fragrance Lake Trail. Look for this as the road widens.
Segment 6 - nB on the Interurban - 6 Miles / 9.65 KM
Elevation Gain 302 ft / 92 m Elevation Loss 407 ft / 124 m
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 6
Notes from the 50k course: This might be the section runners hate the RDs most for. The Interurban on the way out was so easy, how did it become so much harder on the way back? This segment starts where the Fragrance Lake Trail meets the Interurban and finishes back in Fairhaven Park. THIS GPX DOES NOT INCLUDE THE TRAIL THROUGH ARROYO PARK -THE BRIDGE WAS OUT 2021-2023.
Google Map Link for Start and Finish routes out of and in to Fairhaven Park
The Course in 2 Segments
Segment 1 - Out & Back on the Interurban - 12.29 miles / 19.78 KM
Elevation Gain 587 ft / 179 m Elevation Loss 607 ft / 185 m
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 7
Notes from the 50k course: Start in Fairhaven Park follow the route out of the park to run south on the Interurban. The southbound portion of the track turns off the Interurban after you cross Old Samish Parkway at the crosswalk. Follow the gravel pathway to the intersection with Chuckanut Drive. Run along Chuckanut Drive for a short bit to the North Chuckanut Trailhead where we pick up the joining trail, and run up the switchbacks to rejoin the Interurban just before crossing California Street. Continue south along the Interurban to Lost Lake Parking Lot, be sure loop behind the pit toilet building on Fragrance Lake Road and turn left through the fence to continue around the reservoir and T with the interurban, turn right. Head back North. Due to reroute: as you return northbound, after crossing California Street the trail splits and you want to steer left, downhill, and down the switchbacks to the North Chuckanut Trailhead parking lot. Hop up on Chuckanut Drive for a short bit and at the intersection with Old Samish Parkway turn right on the gravel path to rejoin the Interurban and safely cross Old Samish Parkway at the crosswalk. As you near Fairhaven Park, be sure to make the left turn on 18th to sidestep along the 100 acre woods for the finish (see the finish map).
Segment 2 - “Middle 18” - 18 miles / 29 km
Elevation Gain 4495 ft / 1370 m Elevation Loss 4455 ft / 1358 m
LINK to Download GPX file of Segment 8
Notes from the 50k course: A great training loop any time of the year! Bellingham runners use this as a go-to tester run. For decades groups have met a couple of weeks before the Chuckanut 50k to use this as a last long training run. Aspire has hosted the Chuckanut Casual for the last couple of years. Think about running this towards the end of the month in prep for the March Full Course Event. Start in the Lost Lake Parking Lot and loop behind the pit toilet building on Fragrance Lake Road and turn left through the fence to continue around the reservoir and T with the interurban, turn right. Head north and turn right on Fragrance Lake Trail. After the loop remember this segment ends where Fragrance Lake Trail Ts with the Interurban. You can stop your watch there and jog/walk back to the parking lot.