LOOK WHAT WE DID!

Congrats to every person that registered for the Chuckanut 50k and contributed to our trail running world. As a collective of trail racers we had an awesome impact on the non-profit world! By coming together to meet the runner requirement our field of runners donated nearly 800 hours of time and over $30,000. Sure we had a blast running on that beautiful day in the Chuckanuts, and I think it’s all made better know that our collective can have this solid of an effect out in the world.

A HUGE thank you to Tyler at EnduranceHQ for working with me (Krissy) to create a platform that ensures all runners meet the requirement through an easy reporting screen, sending reminders, reporting compliancy, working through unique cases, and running the tallies for these fun reports! If 600 people contributed this, think of the impact each race can have by encouraging (or requiring) a contribution of trail work or money in order to participate. The functionality Endurance HQ built makes it so there are no obstacles. Let’s work together to take care of the lands that keep us running!

CONGRATS!!!

Cumulative Impact

Breakdown of the three organizations that we recommended.

Trail Conditions:

A dear friend of the race, Monica, is running the course today and reporting back with photos of newly downed trees. Race founder Doug M and multi-time participant Karl K are headed out to work their magic in as many spots as possible to clear trail and remove trees. Photos included below to show spots this morning. This is a heads up to the runners that you may have to crawl over or under things depending on, what our team is able to deal with and what else falls after hours.

Lost Lake Trail

Lost Lake Trail

Along Middle Ridge

Heads up Northbound Travelers - I5 closed last night

News reports (video beow and Article HERE) that I-5 is closed at the Samish Way exit, so cars are being diverted. Chuckanut Drive reopened last night at midnight, but there is alerts for continued possibility due to the heavy rains this week.

updated - crews allowed

Runners - we will allow crews to drive Chuckanut Drive. We advise caution to your drivers. Crews are only allowed at Aid 1 and Aid 5.

Gear Check - Watch the Temps! UPDATED

Here is a link to see a detailed weather forecast. I have copied the Weather Requirements from the Runner Requirements page into this Race Update to ensure everyone understands this new requirement for 2026.

UPDATE: Gear is required from start through aid station 5 if the temperature is below 47 degrees at the start.

  • If the temperature in Fairhaven Park is 47 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler we will require all runners to carry a waterproof (running) jacket or plastic poncho, gloves and a beanie. Ideally you also have an insulation layer.

  • To verify this requirement we will randomly check runners packs at the race start. ie. if you are not visibly wearing these items we will ask you to see them. If you do not have them we will have to take your bib number.

  • We will also confirm/check for required gear at Aid Station 3 if we required gear at the start. If you do not have these items we will take your bib number and turn you around.

  • If runners have crew at aid station 5 and want to leave their required gear with their crew, that is the only section we will not require it. Gear is not to be left with the aid station volunteers. This weather requirement will be updated and communicated as race date approaches.

  • These requirements can be modified and updated until race day.

Why? - Conditions on the ridge and along Lost Lake are dramatically different (usually colder and windier). In 2025 we had multiple hypothermic cases take people out of the race. Our Prime medical team was prepared and handled the outcomes superbly, but personally seeing and holding a few of the uncontrollably shivering runners scared this RD and reinforced rule number one of being a trail runner - runners need to carry what they need to safely exist in the mountains.

Pick up your POOP! - Pact Ultralite Kit Discount Code for 30%

Chuckanut 50k runners! PACT Outdoors wants to offer anyone who purchases an UltraLite Kit prior to the race 30% off using the CHUCKANUT30 code.

Why Poop Matters?

Poop that isn’t buried or packed out is one of the biggest resource issues affecting public lands. It contaminates waterways, harms wildlife, and is a threat to public health. As trail runners this needs to matter to you!

It is also one of the biggest costs for land managers and is among the top reasons they're forced to reduce permits, close camping areas, and decrease the number of visitors in a given area. With land management staff and funds at an all-time low, it’s critical that we take care of our poop during the race. 

Here’s How We’re Setting You Up For Success At Chuckanut 50k

Use The Facilities

When there’s a porta-potty or bathroom, use it! There are toilets at the start and finish line, and at the first and third aid stations.

Bury Your Poop

When you have to go between aid stations or when there are no facilities, go at least 75 adult paces from the trail (ideally further if at an aid station), find a private spot and bury your poop 6-8” deep. A limited number of trowels will be available at aid stations, but it’s a good idea to pack your own.

PACT Outdoors Single Serves

Chuckanut 50k partner, PACT Outdoors, makes all-in-one bathroom kits for the outdoors. Every runner will receive a single-use Backcountry Bathroom Kit at packet pickup. It contains (2) PACT Wipes and (3) PACT Tabs. To activate the Wipes, add a little squirt of water and they unfold into a 9” towel. They get you clean like a wet wipe, but weigh almost nothing and decompose much more rapidly. After use, deposit the wipe in the cat-hole with your poop and 3 PACT Tabs, or pack it out. 

PACT Tabs are wooden plugs inoculated with fungal mycelium. Mycelium is the root system for fungi and nature’s great decomposer. When added to the cat-hole, PACT’s native mycelium decomposes your poop faster and kills harmful pathogens like E. coli. Just add the three PACT Tabs to the hole. Fill with dirt and let nature do the rest. 

PACT Ultra Lite Kit

PACT’s Ultra Lite Bathroom Kit is designed specifically for trail runners. It weighs about as much as a gel pack and holds everything you need to dig a hole, bury your poop and stay clean. If you think you might need to go during the race, we recommend carrying a burial kit. 

PACT Outdoors is offering Chuckanut participants a 30% discount on all products. Use code: CHUCKANUT30 at checkout. 

Here To Help

PACT Outdoors will be present at packet pickup and can answer any questions about waste management. Otherwise, ask your aid station volunteers if you need supplies or support.

Watercolor Livestream!?!

KEEN Footwear Watercolor Master Max Romey aka TrailBoundSketches on YouTube is coming to Chuckanut 50k to paint our story! I couldn’t be more excited about this beautiful addition to the wide range of experiences putting on the Chuckanut 50k creates. There will be prints of his art for sale and all proceeds will benefit Runners for Public Lands. He will capture his watercolor race day experience in watercolor. And we hope to sync his camera in to the Mountain Outpost Livestream for our race audience to also be introduced to.

To get a sense of the watercolor experience I highly recommend watching this 10 minute film Max did with KEEN to explain PFAs. Kip, his son, is a fantastic story creator!

After the Miles - We Celebrate!

Finish Line Celebrations: We'd love for you to stick around and take part in our finish line activities. Look out for:

  • Food Trucks: Street Dogz, Ovn Pizza, Tacos El Tule, Sammies Vegan and Girl n Dog Cookies will be selling drinks and food from 12-4:00 in the afternoon. Your meal voucher (attached to your racer bib) will get you a meal.

  • Patagonia Provisions NA beers: Wander Brewing will be distributing Patagonia Provisions beers at the finish line.

  • Sponsor and Supporters: Free product samples and give-aways

  • Tents & Warm Shelter: There will be a big white tent at the start finish area that can be used to get out of the weather. Rest, eat, drink, socialize and cheer on your fellow Chuckanut 50k runners through the finish line!


Post-Race Party: Wander Brewing hosts our post race party from 4-9pm. They will have food trucks: Luchadora Burger, Pirates Pies & Subs and GIRLnDOG Cookie Trailer. (Food vouchers from race are not valid at Wander.) KEEN Footwear has teamed up with Wander to buy the first round (must present a voucher you can pick up from the KEEN tent) and Wander offers $1 off all pints for runners and volunteers.

The race staff usually arrives around 7:30p (after finish line clean up). We hope you’ll hang out so we can hear your race stories!

Morning Commute - Shuttles by Bellair

Reminder to runners, volunteers and crews that there is no parking at the start/finish. Fairhaven Park is a lovely park, but parking for 600+ does not exist. Western Washington University grants us permission to park cars in the C lot and we hired Bellair Shuttles to run on loop to get you from the parking lot to Fairhaven Park and back. Honey Bucket will deliver a portapotty to the C parking lot as we know some of you have a longer drive to arrive. There will be two large shuttles in the morning running on loop to move runners from 6-7:45am.

We will then go down to one 40 person shuttle that will cycle all day between the two locations. Crews will need to build in a little time to make it back to the finish in time for their runners.

Thank you for parking in this lot and using the shuttle to reduce our parking impact around Fairhaven on race day.

ANNOUNCING - Chuckanut Kids Camp!

Aiming to fill a need for parents to better access & enjoy Chuckanut 50k race day, and allow kids to participate in the Kids Race we brainstormed with our local YMCA and created the Chuckanut KIDS CAMP! More information below. Please note that there are 20 spots available and we need 10 to fill for this to “go”. Kids must also be registered for the KIDS RACE if they are participating. Kids race registration is not included in the Camp registration fee.

This has been months in the making and proved a lot of hoops to jump through to do so correctly. All credit goes to our Whatcom YMCA, especially lead Girls on the Run coordinator Tifanie!

Chuckanut Day Camp organized by the Whatcom Family YMCA

Join us for a fun and active one-day outdoor camp held during the Chuckanut 50K trail race! Campers will spend the day participating in games, team activities, and outdoor adventures in a supportive and engaging environment. 

Camp runs from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM for kids aged 4-11 (must be potty trained). Participants should bring their own lunch, and light snacks will be provided throughout the day. Activities will take place indoors and outdoors in all weather, so campers should come dressed appropriately and prepared for changing conditions. 

Chuckanut Camp Registration $70
Kids Race Registration $25

We look forward to a full day of fun and adventure!

Packet Pick Up - things to know!

Please note - Runners will not be issued a bib if you are not marked as Compliant on the EnduranceHQ tracker. Please check your status ahead of time and make sure you have fulfilled this requirement.

Check your status

Packet pick up will start at Fairhaven Runners on Sunday March 15 by 12noon. You can pick up bib & shirt (IF you ordered one) there until 1pm on Friday March 20.

  • Bring your ID

  • Bring proof of your trail work/donation compliance (you will need to pull up on the EnduranceHQ link)

Packet pick up will move to Backcountry Essentials on Friday afternoon. You can pick up your bib, shirt (IF you ordered one) and visit with our sponsors and partners (which means cool swag handouts and samples). This runs from 4pm-7pm, Friday March 20. Parking is mainly street parking. There is a garage at 1300 Commercial, about 7 minute walk.

  • Bring your ID

  • Bring proof of your trail work/donation compliance (you will need to pull up on the EnduranceHQ link).

  • Bring a bag to take home the goods.

  • A limited number of shirts will be available for sale.

Last chance! We will have bibs and shirts available at check in on Saturday morning.

  • Bring your ID

  • Bring proof of your trail work/donation compliance (you will need to pull up on the EnduranceHQ link).

  • Any remaining shirts will be available for sale at the FINISH line on Saturday.