More information is now available on our Race Weekend Details page under the Race Information Tab.
We have uploaded downloadable & printable Maps to help you navigate our race weekend events.
There is a Google Pin to direct you to this year’s parking lot. The Baker Bus will shuttle you to the start!
For those of you that live around Bellingham keep an eye out for our fun event poster!
Poster Design by: Daniel Pouley
This race has dealt with rain, wind, snow, ice and we’ve had beautiful sunny days. We had behind the scenes craziness like a flooded toilet, plane crash on course, personal life chaos, overheated vehicles and many we’ve forgotten, and we continue to do the best we can to pull together
This year is no exception and yet I find myself wondering how there is yet another challenge for us to handle amidst final preparations. With the information available regarding COVID-19 we have to be ready for how it could potentially impact or effect the race. I’m hopeful each of you read the warnings to wash your hands, stay home if you are sick or have any symptoms. And you’ve probably seen public events being canceled. Canceling the race is the last thing I ever want to have to do. As a team we have decided to follow the recommendations of the Whatcom County Health Department Website and their Facebook Page. As of yesterday, March 2, afternoon
We are not currently recommending community actions such as school closures or canceling events or gatherings. Personal prevention steps like washing your hands and staying home when sick keep you and others healthy.
Stay Healthy!
Please note: Our event cancelation policy is stated near the bottom of our Need To Know page.
It takes a lot of communication and orchestrating by coRD Kevin Douglas each year to coordinate the great volunteers that make the event happen. If you would like to help out please click the volunteer sign up link in the race website menu and fill out the google form so we know where to best place you.
Just like last year, we will have a lot of goodies for the volunteers from our generous Sponsors and Supporters. Each volunteer will also receive a $5 food voucher to get a meal from one of the three food trucks at the finish line. We will have bagged snacks for those volunteers that spend most of the day on course.
It is because of our Run the Ridge Sponsors Patagonia and Hoka along with our Interurban Sprint Sponsors that we are able to create a prize purse. Each brand contributes cash that goes directly to this fund. For 2020 the grand sum to be shared amongst the top 3 women, men and top masters female and male is $4,500!
Addtionally, Runner Girl Races, LLC dba Chuckanut 50k, offers a $200 Course Record bonus to the top male and/or female that breaks the current course record. You can find a breakdown for the $4,500 prize purse on the AWARDS page of our website.
This year we did not have as many people drop from the race by our February 13 refund date and with the race filling well past our permit capacity of 500 we were not able to bring in as many off of the waitlist as we have in the past. We let in 600 but have never actually started more that 450. This is good news as we are excited to have you all here, less injuries and perhaps we will finally start closer to 500 runners!
If there are runners that find out they will not be able to join us in the next couple of weeks, we would still love to hear from you and give others an opportunity to jump in off of the waitlist.
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
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.
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.
PRIME Sports Institute is teaming up with our footwear sponsor HOKA to provide a post race recovery tent including Athletic Trainers and NormaTec boots.
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.
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
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.