IMPORTANT NOTICE: CHUCKANUT DRIVE CLOSURE

UPDATE @ 3:15PM

Per the Washington State Department of Transportation and Bellingham Maintenance Department of the WSDOT, the road closure on Chuckanut Drive/State Hwy 11 is in effect throughout the entirety of the race weekend. Fortunately, this closure does NOT affect race participants (including staff, volunteers and runner crews) driving between the start/finish line at Fairhaven Park and other sections of the course; however, it does mean that people driving to/from Bellingham from the south will need to take I-5 (rather than Chuckanut Drive/State Hwy 11) as shown on our driving directions.

UPDATE 1 @ 9:35AM

Good news! The road closure is SOUTH of the Lost Lake parking lot, so it should NOT affect volunteers, spectators and crews driving between Fairhaven Park and the southern end of the course. For race participants driving to the race from the south, we recommend taking I-5 (as opposed to Chuckanut Drive/State Hwy 11) to reach the race location.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This morning (Friday, March 17) a section of Chuckanut Drive was closed due to a mudslide. Please keep checking this page and Facebook for notices on the closure. We're hoping the road will be cleared today but, if not, this may mean alternate driving routes for volunteers, spectators and crews. It also means that runners driving to Bellingham from the south will need to take I-5 (rather than Chuckanut Drive/State Hwy 11).

Furthermore, we're taking another close look at the conditions on the course today to ensure that everything is clear and safe.

Until then, please read our previous post on course conditions, weather forecast and crew instructions.

TRAIL CONDITIONS, WEATHER FORECAST & CREW INSTRUCTIONS

TRAIL CONDITIONS

With one day to go to our 25th running, the trails look great (considering they were covered in snow no more than a week ago)! The trail condition varies from good to muddy, and the route is now totally clear of snow. Our fearless founder Doug McKeever spent Thursday surveying and clearing the trails (in glorious sunshine, no less). There are some fallen trees across the trail that Doug was not able to completely clear, so he has cut steps into the trunks for runners to better navigate over. He's also marked the upper loop with Doug-style race signs.

WEATHER FORECAST

We are expecting wet weather conditions all day Saturday, so be sure to prepare and dress adequately. Each runner is able to leave one bag with dry clothes and other post-race necessities (a towel would be nice!) properly labeled with a bib number at the finish line. Note that we cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items (this has never happened, but we have to say it anyway!).

POST RACE

There will be a warm shelter, changing rooms and open-sided tents in Fairhaven Park for runners to rest, clean up/change, relax, eat, drink and socialize after finishing the race. Please stay for the many post-race festivities and Awards Ceremony beginning at 2:30pm - details on the activities and celebrations are outlined on our Race Weekend Details page.

CREW DIRECTIONS

Please see the link to our Crew Directions under the RACE INFORMATION menu tab for information about race day crewing. We welcome crews at Aid Stations #1  & #5, both hosted in the Lost Lake Parking Lot.

See you soon!

25th running Race Prizes

The Chuckanut 50k awards prizes to runners in Overall, Masters and Age Group categories. We are fortunate to be able to award a total of US$4,500 in prize money, along with sponsor gear and beautiful pieces of Pacific Northwest-inspired art. See below for details on each award:

Our $4,500 prize purse is made up of $500 contributions from each of our Chuckanut 50k Sponsors: Patagonia, Vasque, Flora Health, Ultimate Direction, 1st Endurance, GORE-TEX, UltraRunning Magazine, Pro-Tec Athletics and Julbo. Prize money is distributed to Overall Winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd places) and Masters Winners (1st place). Runner Girl Races pays an additional $200 Course Record bonus in the case of a new Course Record by a male and/or female athlete.

Our Sponsors and Supporters also provide gear that is awarded to Age Group Winners in each 10-year division (i.e., Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+). Awards include Patagonia trail running clothing, Vasque trail running shoe certificates, Flora Health bottles of nutritional oils, Ultimate Direction packs, GORE-TEX certificates, Pro-Tec Athletics new Extreme Orbs, Julbo sunglasses, UltraRunning Magazine subscriptions, Trail Butter pouches, Fairhaven Runners grab bags, Black Diamond lights, Rocket Pure body products and more. 

Amazing local artist Todd Stephens of Millbrook Clayworks has been working with the Chuckanut 50k for the last five years, providing beautiful pieces of pottery to every winning athlete, as outlined below. A Western Washington University graduate, Todd's art pieces are inspired by the Pacific Northwest and reflect a love of nature. You can learn more about Millbrook Clayworks, including where to purchase products, on its website.

Millbrooks Clayworks - Beautiful pottery for Overall and Age Group winners

Millbrooks Clayworks - Beautiful pottery for Overall and Age Group winners

2:30pm awards CEREMONY

We will announce winners in the Overall, Masters and Age Group categories as well as Qualifiers for Team USA and Team Canada for the IAU Trail World Championships!

1st Overall Male & Female - $1,000 each & Pottery
1st Masters (40+) Male & Female - $650 each & Pottery
2nd Overall Male & Female - $400 each & Pottery
3rd Overall Male & Female - $200 each & Pottery
1st-3rd Age Group Male & Female - Pottery & Sponsor/Supporter Gear
  Age Group Categories: Under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
* Note that no athlete can win multiple awards.
** $200 Course Record bonus in the case of a new Course Record by a male and/or female athlete.

Check out our Finish Line!

The Chuckanut 50k Finish line in Fairhaven Park is going to be busy! We've got Food Trucks, a free Photo Booth, changing rooms, heated hang out areas AND... Massage! Theron Eirish has been at the finish line of the Chuckanut 50k nearly as long as RD Krissy Moehl. He is a huge supporter of this race!

Theron will be providing post race massage for $1/minute.

You can sign up Friday night at packet pickup, or as you cross the finish line.  Post race massage can speed recovery time, prevent injury and treat physical issues before they worsen.

NEW INFO & MAPS: Race Day Parking

The START & FINISH AREA for this year's race is Fairhaven Park, at 107 N Chuckanut Drive. Participants from previous years will remember that parking is very limited. With a larger than normal field of runners in 2017, we need everyone to plan ahead.

6:00-7:40AM  PARKING: ALL RUNNERS, CREWS & SPECTATORS MUST USE SEHOME HIGH SCHOOL PARKING AND SHUTTLES

Click map for downloadable, printable version

Click map for downloadable, printable version

 

6:15AM  Runner check-in begins at upper shelter of Fairhaven Park

8:00AM  Race Start

RACE START PARKING: All vehicles must park at Sehome High School at 2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham, WA 98225. We will provide shuttles to the start/finish line at Fairhaven Park. Shuttles begin at 6:00am; the last morning shuttle will depart SHS at 7:40am. Plan to arrive with plenty of time to park your car and hop on the shuttle (about a 10-minute drive). Afternoon runner shuttles will run from 12:00-4:30pm to return you to your car. Vehicles are not allowed to park in Fairhaven Park. 

CARPOOLS: Our race Facebook page is a good place to coordinate carpools. Those that carpool (3 or more runners WITH BIBS OR PROOF OF RUNNER REGISTRATION (UltraSignUp registration receipt) per car) will get priority parking at Hillcrest Chapel at 1400 Larrabee Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. (*noted on Parking map) The parking lot is just east of Larrabee Avenue & 14th Street. This lot will be monitored and bibs will be checked.

RUNNER DROP-OFF: Drivers are able to drop off runners at Hillcrest Chapel at at 1400 Larrabee Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225. There will be a loop drive through the parking lot just off Old Fairhaven Pkwy & 15th Street. Runners can then walk an easy warm-up to the start line at Fairhaven Park. Drivers can park their cars at Sehome High School and take the shuttle to Fairhaven Park.

FINISH LINE DROP BAGS & POST-RACE CHANGING AREA: We will provide a secure area to leave your finish line drop bags (*noted on Start/Finish line map with a hanger). A tag, provided on your bib number, will need to be secured to your drop bag.

Click map for downloadable, printable version

Click map for downloadable, printable version

JOIN THE PARTY AT WANDER BREWING!

POST-RACE PARTY & RAFFLE

6pm - 10pm. 1807 Dean Avenue, Bellingham 98225

Location: Wander Brewing @ 1807 Dean Ave (see 50k Points of Interest Map for location)
Parking: Please park in the Bellingham High School parking lot @ 2020 Cornwall Ave (corner of Cornwall Ave & Ohio St) - this is less than a 5-minute walk to Wander
Time: 6:00-10:00pm
Live Music: The Devilly Brothers from approx 6:30-8:00pm
Food Trucks: Goat Mountain Pizza and 542-GO
And More: Birthday cake to celebrate our 25th running & raffle drawing with prizes!

Our 2016 raffle raised $1212 benefiting Whatcom County Girls on the Run and we aim to raise more in 2017 with your help! Chuckanut 50k is lucky to have incredible sponsors which means a ton of great products to win!

Local Bellingham musicians the Devilly Brothers performing on Sundays at Kulshans Brewing in B'ham.

Partnering with Skagit Land Trust!

Raising awareness around our lands and the places we love to play is forefront of most trail runners minds. I am excited to share the work of Skagit Land Trust with Chuckanut 50k participants at our pre and post race events. Blanchard is the neighboring mountain to Chuckanut and these two together make up the training grounds for many people in this area as well as provide landscape for countless other recreational uses. 2017 is a critical year to ensure the trails and trees stay put on this working mountain and I am thankful for the work of Skagit Land Trust and Conservation NW to help work with all user groups to find the best solution.

Blanchard Project:

Skagit Land Trust was an original member of the 2006 Blanchard Strategies Group and remains on the Blanchard Advisory Group today. We work with our partners, community members, legislators and DNR to advocate for full funding for the Blanchard Strategies solution that permanently protects the 1600-acre forested core of Blanchard. We are excited to join the Chuckanut 50K and work alongside people who LOVE Blanchard and are willing to help get it protected.

Founded in 1992, Skagit Land Trust protects wildlife habitat, wetlands, agricultural and forest lands, scenic natural areas and shorelines throughout the mainland and islands of the Skagit area. By working with our community, partners and willing landowners we conserve Skagit’s rich natural heritage. Our land and waterways give us life. We need land for clean water, healthy forests and farms;  to provide places for birds, fish and wildlife; and to ensure all of us have places to appreciate and access nature and its astounding beauty. We work with you, our community, to keep our precious natural areas healthy for all generations.  Skagit Land Trust permanently protects hundreds of acres of threatened wildlife habitat each year and many miles of shoreline as well as helping to establish trails and nature areas for our community. For more information on how you can help, visit

Skagit Land Trust's Blanchard Page

Join us for a course preview!

The Balanced Athlete's Eric Sach and Chuckanut 50k RD & Revolution Running Coach Krissy Moehl have teamed up to host the running community on a preview of the Chuckanut 50k course. March 4th at 9am - join Revolution Running Runners, Aspire Adventure Running and The Balanced Athlete for a run of the middle 30k. Whether you are training for Chuckanut and want to use this for your last long run, or just want to enjoy some trail miles with a fun group - EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Aspire is cooking up a post run meal and only asking a $5 donation to help cover food costs.

Please RSVP on our Facebook Event Page so we have an idea of numbers that will be joining!

We look forward to sharing the trails and prepping for the exciting 25th Running!

Runner Refunds - deadline February 22nd

If you are unable to attend the race please let the race director (chuckanut50 at gmail.com) know before Wednesday, February 22 to receive an entry refund less $25. If you ordered a shirt, we will be happy to send it to you. We do not allow entry roll-overs or transfers and will not issue refunds after that date. http://chuckanut50krace.com/details/ 

We still need volunteers! You can sign up via the Google Docs link in our website menu bar - VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

We hope to see as many community members out there as possible!

Come Celebrate the 25th Running with us!