2026 HEALTH & Safety Plan
The Chuckanut 50k remains a community focused event that brings runners from around the country and world to experience the beautiful Chuckanuts at the tail end of winter. Weather is fickle in the PNW and we have experienced high winds, snow and ice, beautiful sunny & 60 degrees F and, what RD Krissy thinks is the worst, low 40s F and rain.
Runners must prepare for the weather conditions and carry or wear clothing appropriate for the day’s conditions.
Kerry Gustafson - founder, owner, LMT, LAT, mastermind for Bellingham recovery. PHOTO: Ben Groenhout
The Prime Sports Institute leads the Chuckanut 50k Medical planning and coordination for people associated with the event. AND as a runner going into the mountains it is paramount that you prepare in training and maintain awareness on race day for your health and safety. In addition to your personal needs, pay attention to local weather and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions.
Race Day Arrival & Shuttles: Do not attend the event if you are showing any symptoms of illness, i.e. high temperature, runny nose, sore throat, cough, loss of taste/smell. Hand washing stations will be provided, use them.
On course: Kindly alert runners from behind when you would like to pass and allow them time and space to move safely aside. Follow the instructions of the aid station volunteers for flow through aid station.
Prime Sports Institute medical will provide the following: MINOR INJURIES - Sprains, strains, lacerations, blisters and dehydration.
MODERATE INJURIES - Non-displaced fractures, knee injuries, dislocation, head injuries.
SEVERE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES - EMS will be activated and our medical staff will stabilize the following until EMS arrives. Compound fractures, internal trauma, unconsciousness. AED available at finish line.
NO IVs, NO Suturing, NO Oxygen
In addition to PRIME at the finish line a Licensed Athletic Trainer will be on course to respond to emergencies. If a runner is injured or unconscious on the trail, each aid station has an Emergency Action Plan and Protocol Card. We ask runners to call the emergency number printed on their bib and send someone to the next aid station to communicate condition and race bib number of the injured runner.
Race staff notifies Skagit Valley Hospital in Mt. Vernon, St Joseph's Hospital in Bellingham and the Bellingham Fire Department of our race date and number of runners participating to have them on alert for the potential additional stress on their services.
This is a living document that will evolve in line with information provided by the CDC, PRIME sports institute and local municipalities. It is the responsibility of the runner to refer back to this page and know our current requirements for participation.