2019 TRAIL CONDITIONS, WEATHER FORECAST, MANDATORY GEAR & CREW DIRECTIONS

Our 27th running is hours away! So exciting! There are a lot of details in this post and the photos take up some room. Please scroll through for our latest information.

TRAIL CONDITIONS (photos included)

The trails are improving, considering they were covered in snow no more than a week ago, but are still more wintry than usual. Race friend Gretchen Walla and RD Krissy Moehl spent time on different parts of the course Wednesday evaluating conditions. Our fearless founder Doug McKeever spent Thursday marking the course with ribbons and his Doug-style race signs. The trail condition varies from good, to muddy, to snowy and patchy ice areas. It will be slow going in sections and my biggest concern is that people feel safe out there. Please be considerate of runners in front of and behind you. Make room for people more comfortable and moving faster to get by when it feels safe. And if you need to pass, let the person in front of you know AND be patient for them to find a spot they feel safe to move aside. This is a race AND trail runners take care of each other.

Two Dollar Trail is in great shape!

You will start to see snow on Cleator Road.

There are some icy spots on the way up Fragrance. This is at the trail split just before the Lake. Runners stay Right this year.

The Ridge Trail is snowy & icy in patches, especially the first mile.

Once you get past the connector to Lower Ridge Trail, the North end of the Ridge starts to clear up.

WEATHER FORECAST - area link

We are expecting partially cloudy, warmer than we’ve had weather conditions all day Saturday. Be sure to come prepared and dress adequately. 

MANDATORY GEAR

We recommend that each runner have a jacket, gloves and beanie. Traction is also advised, but with the patchy conditions, I acknowledge it will be frustrating to put on an off. I recommend screwing your shoes. Poles are allowed. A handheld or hydration pack and a UD Re-Cup are also recommended. We do not provide cups on course. We are not going to REQUIRE any specific gear. These items are highly recommended and if you are thinking “nothing is going to happen to me” then you are probably the one that should pack gear.

AID STATION LOCATIONS

With the amount of snow on the ridge we likely will not be able to haul supplies up Cleator Road to the top of the Ridge. Our back up plan is to send the Ridge Aid Station to where Doug has held Aid 3.5 for many years now. You will need to better supply at Aid Station #2 as you will now climb Cleator Road AND traverse the entire Ridge until you get aid where the Ridge meets North Lost Lake Trail ~6 miles (instead of 3 miles). This move still has to be approved by the Park.

This is where we typically host Aid Station 3. The snow on Cleator is even deeper, so we will not be able to drive vehicles up there to transport supplies and equipment.

This is what the whole of North Lost Lake and most of South Lost Lake looked like on Wednesday. With the warmer temps be prepared for smooshy, sloshy snow.

CUTOFFS

This year we have offered an early start at 7am to give runners an extra hour on the course. In light of the slower conditions we are also going to extend the cutoff to 5pm for an official finish.

POST RACE

There will be a warm shelter and open-sided tents in Fairhaven Park for runners to rest, clean up/change, relax, eat, drink and socialize after finishing the race. Each runner is able to leave one small (12”x12”x9”) bag with dry clothes and other post-race necessities (a towel would be nice!) properly labeled with a bib number  in the shelter near the finish line - your race bib has a tag you can attach to your bag. Note that we cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items (this has never happened, but we have to say it anyway!) Please stay for the many post-race festivities and Awards Ceremony and GOTR Prize Draw - 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. Crews need to be ready to travel on foot to Aid 5.

See you soon!

Race Tracking! via RaceJOY and BuDuRacing

Thanks to our timers, BuDu Racing, Chuckanut 50k runners and spectators will be able to Live Track runners. Each runner needs to set up the RaceJoy App on their phone and subscribe to the Chuckanut 50k course with their bib number. Then, spectators will be able to watch you on their phone set up with the same App - spectators need to be sure that they select the “Viewing” option as opposed to the “Racing” option. (Racing option will track your phone).

For more information, please go to the following links:

About RaceJoy: https://www.racejoy.net/about-the-app

How To: https://www.racejoy.net/how-to

There are a lot of other features to the App including spectators being able to send you messages and cheers along the way!

Look for this App to sign up!

2019 PARKING & SHUTTLES

Runners and Supporters will park at Western Washington University Lot 12A, see map, and be shuttled by The Baker Bus to the Start/Finish area.

The first shuttle will leave the parking lot around 6:15am and the last shuttle before race start will leave at 7:45am.

Official Race Start is 8AM. Early start is at 7AM.

Shuttles will run 6:15-9:30am and 11am to 6:30pm to transport crews & friends.

Runners may be dropped at Hillcrest Church and walk a short distance on the Interurban Trail to Fairhaven Park. There is no race parking at the Church.

Prize Draw to benefit Girls on the Run

This is our 3rd year (at least!) hosting a Prize Draw for Girls on the Run. We group together some of our awesome SPONSOR and SUPPORTER products to create high value packages. Your ticket purchases go directly to our Whatcom County Girls on the Run Program. Check out the awesome packages below!

You will be able to buy tickets for these bundles of our sponsor goodies on Friday night at Packet Pickup at PRIME Sports Institute and on Saturday morning around the Start and Finish line in Fairhaven Park. Look for people in Girls on the Run T-shirts to purchase.

We will do the prize draw at 5pm on Saturday at Fairhaven Park in the Beer Garden. You do not have to be present to win, but it is a LOT more fun if you are!!

We themed this “Hers” because some of the sizing is womens, but these products work for EVERYONE!

We themed this “His” because some of the sizing is mens, but these products work for EVERYONE!

We themed this “Theirs” because there are different sizes and these products work for EVERYONE!

Race Shirts - NEW Patagonia Fabric!

I think it is pretty cool that Chuckanut 50k runners are going to be the first to touch and wear Capilene Cool Daily. This is a new fabric from Patagonia, and our race shirts were shipped to the screener the same day the new item was delivered to stores. If you did not order a shirt Ma Moehl will be selling them at Packet-Pickup and PRIME on Friday night 5-8pm and on Saturday morning before the start and at the finish line. $25 each. Limited Sizes.

Important Race Update: Mandatory Gear

Due to incoming conditions we are looking to implement a gear check and REQUIRE all runners to carry a jacket, an insulating layer, pants, beanie, gloves and a space blanket. Without these items you will not be permitted to race. We recommend (in addition to the required gear) runners carry traction and a phone. Runners are permitted to use trekking poles. We will finalize this decision after assessing the course on Thursday. Runners should have these items prepared if you are coming to the event.

Race Directors are responsible to create the event, assess the conditions and produce all aspects of a safe race and fun event. The possible required gear list is to ensure your safety should something happen during your run. Because of the weather and trail conditions our response time to an injury will be significantly slowed. Runners need to be prepared to care for themselves and others should something happen and until our team can get to you.

Additionally, our team is considering three course options and will decide by Thursday night.

1) as is

2) move aid stations 2, 3, & 4.

3) modified course on lower trails.

Runners are responsible for their training, to know their fitness and assess their ability to handle the course in whatever conditions present on race day. Runners must adjust goals and game plan to accommodate the conditions. Come race day each individual needs to make the decision if they are prepared to run this event.

No matter what - we will have a fun celebration including sponsor booths, food trucks and the beer garden in Fairhaven Park on Saturday.

Please continue to check the website for updates. And thank you for enthusiasm for this event! We are excited too and will put all of that energy towards a great event on Saturday!

Age Group Prizes - Millbrook Clayworks

We love the beautiful creations Todd comes up with each year for our age group awards. 2019 is another awesome year. I look forward to picking these up in a couple of days, but in the meantime he sent some photos to get our runners excited and something to visualize as they push for a great performance.

PRE-RACE PACKET PICK-UP

Pre-Race Bib Pick-Up for Chuckanut 50k runners begins on Sunday, March 10 and lasts to Friday, March 15. For runners arriving to Bellingham on race day, a Packet Pick-Up will begin at 6:15am at the start line in Fairhaven Park (note that we will only be handing out sponsor goodies on Friday Night at PRIME - bring your own bag!!). See below for times and locations of Pre-Race Packet Pick-Up:

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 11:00AM - FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 3:00PM
  Location:  Fairhaven Runners
  Address: 1209 11th St, Bellingham, WA 98225
  Bring: One form of ID (e.g., driver's license)
  * You will receive your Race Bib, Timing Chip, BibBoards (if pre-ordered) & Shirt (if pre-ordered)

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 5:00-8:00PM  *with sponsor goodies!
  Location:  PRIME Sports Institute
  Address: 1704 North State Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 (see race map for location)
  Bring: One form of ID (e.g., driver's license) and your own bag!
  * You will receive your Race Bib, Timing Chip, BibBoards & Shirt (if you pre-ordered BibBoards a/o shirt), plus amazing sponsor goodies to fill your bag!
  ** Note that this is not a race expo.

This information along with the Race Weekend Schedule can also be found on our

Race Weekend Details page.

Community Poster & Beer Garden Details

Fairhaven Park will be closed to cars and open to race supporters on March 16. The race starts at 8am and we expect our first finishers around 11:15-11:30am. The Beer Garden opens at noon. The course closes at 4pm. Awards at 5pm. The Beer Garden closes at 6pm. After Party at Wander Brewing 7-10pm.

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All finishers will receive a special finishers prize that will be super helpful in the Beer Garden (see photo below)! Each race bib has a food voucher that is good for one meal at one of our Food Trucks OR for a Beer Garden pour - runner’s choice.

Beverages will be sold for $5 each for a 12oz pour. All proceeds benefit RecreationNW. We encourage EVERYONE to bring their own mug (max 16oz pour please!) On Tap:

Wander IPA

Wander Lager

Lost Giants Cider

Stones Throw Ginger Ale

We will have a limited number of Silipints available for sale. $12 includes a pour.

RaceJoy Live Runner Tracking

You can download the RaceJoy app and Live Phone Track your route while running the Chuckanut 50k this year! RD Krissy did a test run at the Chuckanut Casual last weekend and it was super easy. Just follow the steps to search for the Chuckanut 50k to get yourself registered to be tracked on the route ahead of time. Then on Friday you can enter your bib number and let your friends know and they can follow you as well! There are links to share on Facebook, you can receive cheers along the way and the app has notifications (you can turn off) to cheer you along out there.

Once you register to be tracked for the race on the app you will receive a detailed email with information on how to share your experience, track others and how to be tracked.

This is an experiment shared with us by BuDu Racing. I hope those of you carrying a phone while running will try it out!

Race Visualization at @primebellingham, Sunday March 10th 4-5:30pm

Details included on our event poster and on the Facebook Event. Please register on the Facebook Event page so we can have props ready.