Course Update

February 15, 2020 by Race Director

We learned from Larrabee State Park that Cleator Road is compromised and will not allow vehicle traffic until repaired. We will be able to pass on foot. So for now the runner course is the same, we will just move the location of the 3rd Aid Station a little further along the course. If you ran in 2019 the location of Aid #3 was moved to the end of the ridge as well, but for snow reasons. Our volunteers have to work/hike extra to make this new location happen - please, please show them tons of gratitude for getting supplies out on course for you!

Aid #1 - 6.8 miles, Lost Lake Parking Lot - 4.2 miles to next

Aid #2 - 10.2 miles, Two Dollar Trailhead on Cleator Rd - 6.2 miles to next

** location change from map - Aid #3 - 16 miles, end of Ridge, where Ridge meets N. Lost Lake - 4.3 miles to next

Aid #4 - 20.3 miles, bottom of Chin scraper - 4.7 miles to next

Aid #5 - 25 miles, where Fragrance Lake Trail meets Interurban - 6.1 miles to finish

Report your Trail Work!

February 13, 2020 by Race Director

Reminder to our Runners -

NEW FOR 2020 - ALL RUNNERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EITHER:

PARTICIPATE IN 4 HOURS OF SERVICE - TRAIL WORK OR VOLUNTEER AT A RACE.

OR

MAKE A suggested $100 DONATION TO A TRAIL ORGANIZATION OF THEIR CHOICE.

OUR INTENT IS TO REQUIRE THIS FOR THE 2021 EVENT.

For more information on our trail work/donation policy, links to organizations that we suggest, and dates for local to Bellingham trail work parties please see our REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS page. You will also find information on how to report your trail work or donation.

Thank You for making this a priority!

Where are you staying?

February 05, 2020 by Race Director

Have you booked your overnight(s) in Bellingham? We have a couple of suggested hotels that are offering a discount to Chuckanut 50k runners. These discounts will be available until February 20. This is a quick reminder to make your reservations.

Post Race Recovery and Massage

January 30, 2020 by Race Director

Post Race Recovery Tent

PRIME Sports Institute is teaming up with our footwear sponsor HOKA to provide a post race recovery tent including Athletic Trainers and NormaTec boots.

This all flows into the finish line massage tent.

Theron Eirish has provided post race massage at the Chuckanut 50k for 18 years. Now as the instructor at Whatcom Community College School of Massage he is bringing in his team. Students will give free massages to Chuckanut 50k finishers. The program can accept donations - donate by scrolling to “Massage Program” in Gift Designation section.

Cleator Hill Climb Sponsor Announced

January 29, 2020 by Race Director

Hammer Nutrition is on board with the Chuckanut 50k as our Cleator Hill Climb level sponsor. Hammer Nutrition has been supplying athletes with natural products free of added sugars, artificial colors, flavors, chemicals, and preservatives for over 30 years.

At packet pickup Friday night you will receive Hammer Gel, Hammer Endurolytes Fizz samples and a SpeedCup (we do not provide single-use cups at the aid stations, so carry this!). There will be Hammer Gel, HEED and Endurolytes at each aid station for your use on race day. Visit them at hammernutrition.com, so come race day, you’re ready to perform at your best. Fuel right, feel great with Hammer Nutrition! #howihammer

Race Preview - Chuckanut Casual

January 28, 2020 by Race Director

Chuckanut Casual

March 7, 8:50am

Lost Lake Parking Lot

Fun, Group Run put on by Aspire Adventure Running

Running the middle 18 a couple of weeks out from Chuckanut 50k race weekend is a tradition that was started a couple of decades ago by the Seattle Running Company and carried on by Eric Sach. A group of runners would pile in a van and other vehicles and carpool from Seattle. It was seen as a final training run for the race and a great way to kick off one’s taper. Aspire has taken the organizational reigns and added food to the finish and maps at the start. Your $20 (sign up on UltraSignUp) helps cover the costs.

Just in case you can't make it - Race Refund Policy

January 27, 2020 by Race Director

February 13 is our deadline to let race directors know that you will not be able to make it for whatever reason on March 21st.

If you are unable to attend the race please let the race director know at chuckanut50 at gmail.com before Thursday, February 13 to receive an entry refund less $25. If you pre-ordered a shirt, we will be happy to send it to you, just let us know via email. We do not allow entry roll-overs or transfers and are unable to issue refunds after that date.

Bellingham Trail Work Party - February 15

January 26, 2020 by Race Director

Recreation Northwest is hosting a trail work party for the community. On February 15 at 9am volunteers will meet in the upper parking lot of Fairhaven Park. There are more details on our Registration Requirements page as well as a link to the work party.

Additionally, if it is looking like it will be impossible to get in your trail work before the March 21 race date and the donation isn’t your ideal, there is another volunteer opportunity through Recreation Northwest. You can sign up HERE to volunteer at the May 2nd Recreation Northwest Expo.

2020 Trail Work & Donations

December 13, 2019 by Race Director

We are excited to see the quick acceptance of this year’s trail or volunteer work add to the race registration. Thank you for your easy support! It makes these RDs happy to know that this is a no-brainer for the trail run community.

4 hours of trail work or volunteer time is one option

Making a suggested $100 donation to a non-profit is another option.

One of our Run the Ridge Sponsors, Patagonia, is running a match program through the end of the year. You can double your donation dollars by making a donation through the Patagonia Action Works website.

Please note:

*Patagonia will match all donations made on Patagonia Action Works between Nov. 29 and Dec. 31, up to $10,000 per donation, until we’ve reached a maximum match of $10,000,000.

The good news is Patagonia has almost maxed out their $10,000,000 donation! Incredible!

If you are thinking completing the 4 hours of trail or volunteer time is going to be a challenge, consider making your donation through the Patagonia Action Works site before the end of the year for the possible donation match.

2020 Race Registration opens tomorrow! (Dec 6, 8amPST!)

December 05, 2019 by Race Director

That title says it all, down to the exclamation point. We are so excited to launch into the 2020 race! We have already been meeting, planning and dreaming up our next edition of this classic Bellingham race. Be sure to check out our Race Registration Page for details regarding our Trail Work or Volunteer Time.

The community that gathers around the Chuckanut 50k comes from near and far. With financial support from Patagonia and Hoka One One as our Run the Ridge SPONSORS we are able to create more for our field of runners and with the Interurban Sprint Sponsors our prize purse is looking great! Local hotels jump in with room discount rates for our runners. Local businesses and the City of Bellingham all support the event by showing up to volunteer, cheer and share the town with runners from afar. We have a strong local field, and spots fill fast (600 spots in 6.5 hours last year!) so be sure to be on UltraSignUp.com at 8am PST tomorrow (Friday Dec 6, 2019)!

2019 Aid Station Locations

March 15, 2019 by Race Director

With the amount of snow on the ridge we had to move aid stations. Aid 2 and 3 are in different locations. New mileages are listed below.