Refunds are in the mail! And... 2020 Shirt preview

REFUNDS

For all runners that requested refunds prior to September 2 we wrote checks and put them in the mail September 3. I still need international postage for some envelopes, so they will be in the mail soon.

Runners still have until September 18, 2020 to send their request for partial refund.

2020 SHIRTS - Patagonia Long Sleeve Capilene Cool Daily (retail $49)

Womens 2020 shirt - front

Mens 2020 shirt - front

Womens 2020 shirt - back

Mens 2020 shirt - back

We finalized the Chuckanut 50k 2020 shirts are excited with how they turned out. We are hopeful you are too. Thank you for your patience as we work on a process to bundle and deliver over 350 shirts. We will first get shirts to those runners that ordered them at registration. Any extra shirts will sell for $25 (same cost as at registration). We will share those quantities and how to purchase soon.

2019 Shirts

We have a few shirts leftover from 2019. We will sell these for $20 each. Sizes available: 1 mens Small, 2 mens Medium, 6 mens Large, 3 womens Medium, 6 womens Large, 2 womens XL. Please email Krissy your size and address. Payments receivable via Venmo or mailed check.

Mens & Womens colors for 2019 shirts - front

Mens & Womens colors for 2019 shirts - back

Making the call for 2020

• EDITED 7/22 - refund processing changed

It has taken three and a half months to wrap our heads around the idea of canceling the 2020 Chuckanut 50k. On March 11 when we announced our postponement due to COVID and Washington State Governor’s group size order (weeks before we really understood the implications) we held on to the hope of putting together a fall Chuckanut 50k. In our current Phase 2 status that limits group sizes & travel, the City of Bellingham not issuing permits through August (at a minimum), and in having multiple conversations with our staff and other race directors, we have decided to cancel the 2020 event.

I intend to cover all questions associated with this decision below - please read through and then of course email me if you have any other concerns and I will add them to this post.

Unique Cancelation and Refund Opportunity: our cancelation policy does not allow for refunds, but our team worked through our numbers, and taking this whole situation into account, created a Covid refund policy that we posted on March 20. We will offer a $50 refund to each runner that requests it by email to Krissy. All refund requests must be submitted by September 18, 2020. Refunds will be issued through mailed checks. Please ensure your mailing address is current on your UltraSignUp account or include your current mailing address in your email request.

(We originally planned to use UltraSignUp.com for refunds, but we are past the allotted 90 days that the credit card companies allow. Thank you for your patience as check writing and mailing will be a slower process.)

Shirts: Each year runners have the option to buy a long sleeve Patagonia Cool Trail shirt at registration. Those of you that bought shirts for the 2020 event - the fronts are screen printed and we see them as yours. We are planning a special design to add to the back to acknowledge the uniqueness of 2020. Once they are screened we will ship them to each individual that ordered one. If we have any leftovers we will sell them to anyone else at the original cost of $25.

Decision to cancel: In addition to the above stated immediate reasons, our team decided to put our energy into creating necessary options and be prepared for 2021 event possibilities.

2021 planning: RD Krissy Moehl has been working with the Race Director Alliance to create a document of best practices for putting on an event amidst the Covid era. This document is available for all to review, download and adapt for their events. The Chuckanut 50k will follows these guidelines when race production becomes possible.

In the meantime: There is amazing creativity happening in the ultra/trail space, from personal backyard adventures, to Virtual Races to connect globally. We are inspired by the massive efforts to create community utilizing technology until we can gather in-person again.

GRGR2020 - July 6-12

WallaTrails Hamster Runs - August 22-23

iRunFar To the Moon Relay - June 29 - July 5

BuDu Racing Beat the Virus - complete 6/28

These are just a few. Please feel free to add others in the comments below. Also, please share with us the adventures you have created.

We will continue to post updates on the race website as we create options and make plans for 2021. Thank you for the incredible level of understanding and support we have felt from this community for the past 28 years and especially in this challenging cancelation. WE MISSED YOU in MARCH! And really look forward to gathering again in Fairhaven Park and the Chuckanuts when it is safe.

Whatcom County Health Department and City of Bellingham Update

On April 14 the Whatcom County Health Department recommended that all summer events – including parades, community festivals and fireworks displays – should be cancelled.

On April 24 the City of Bellingham followed this recommendation and canceled all City permitted events through August 30th.

Following our plan, this gives two weeks the first part of September to put on a 2020 version of the Chuckanut 50k. We have not decided to officially cancel the 2020 race yet as we are working with a race director committee on best practices, keeping track of the steps taken by our governing bodies, and keeping an eye on the rest of the country and other events that are pushing forward. Basically taking in information with the intention to make the best decision for our community.

Thank you for hanging in there with us!

If you ordered a shirt

Patagonia Shirts. Screen Printing by Red Boots Design in Bellingham.

At check out during registration runners had the option to order a shirt. Those shirts are yours. We were able to halt printing just in time (only 3 were printed when I called!) to save the backs from an un-doable date. It is our hope to print the backs with the new summer date and deliver them in person.

If we end up having to cancel we will think of something to commemorate 2020, print the backs, and get them to the runners that ordered them. 

If you did not order a shirt and want one, we will take inventory after we deliver (in person or otherwise) and create an option for others to buy. We did order extra, so please hold tight and we will let you know what sizes we have available after initial distribution.

The Plan for Now

We are hopeful to create a 2020 version of the Chuckanut 50k. Our reality to make that happen will depend on how things unfold the next couple of months. If we are given the green light to host a running event before or by July 17, and we are able to secure a date for that production before or by September 12, we will host a 2020 Chuckanut 50k.

Our event cancelation policy as stated on the bottom of our Need To Know page states that

In case of a cancellation decided less than 14 days before the start, or in case of interruption of the race, for whatever the reason, no refund of the registration fee will be made.

The following policy is specific to our current global situation and in consideration of this year’s special circumstance.

• For those runners that let us know before the February 13 refund date that they would not be able to join us, you already received a refund.

• For those runners that let us know you would not be able to make it after the February 13 refund date, we have added you back to the registered runner list so that you have access to the following.

• Registered Runners - if we are able to reschedule you will be first invited to the new race date. If you are unable to make the new date you may request a refund by emailing RD Krissy. We will issue a $50 refund to those requests.

• Current Waitlist Runners will get first dibs on vacated spots for the new race date.

• If we have to cancel the event we will issue a $50 refund to those that request it by emailing RD Krissy. Refunds are not automatic, you must email your request. Donating your entry fee will allow us to cover costs and make donations to our organizations.

• We will make donations to our non-profit partners after we figure out the end finances. We annually donate to The Conservation Alliance. Girls On the Run of Whatcom County, Whatcom County Ham Radio Operators and Recreation Northwest (beer garden host).

• If for any reason you need the $50 refund now, or sometime before we reschedule or cancel we will issue refunds to those that request starting Monday 3/23. You can email your request at anytime.

• 2021 Registration will open to all December 4 at 8amPST on UltraSignUp.com with consideration to the CDC, WHO and the current reality at that time.

Thank You!!

for your support, understanding and patience as we made the tough decision to postpone and continue to work through these next steps.

Planning to Virtual Run?

As quickly as information is changing the choice to execute a virtual run of any distance is on each individual. First priority is safety. Safety in terms of adhering to COVID-19 guidelines and personal safety and caution. An injury that requires a Doctor or Hospital visit is never desired, but in the current situation to take up the time of medical providers and a potential bed needs to be front of mind. Please be safe and take extra caution as you get out and recreate.

For March 21 Virtual Runners: We see this as a way to give all runners (you do not have to be a registered participant!) an opportunity to celebrate their winter work as well as come together via photos and sharing stories. It is helpful because travel is not required, you can run from your door, you can run ANY distance, have fun creating your own Interurban and Chinscraper and share with us how you did. We will be online pulling in your comments & tags, and share your photos. Our three RD’s will be cheering you on, each from of our individual locations, and congratulate your finish.

If you do plan to create a virtual run please remember why the Chuckanut 50k was postponed. It is hugely important to follow the COVID-19 guidelines if you are idealizing about running with another person this weekend. We understand the desire to share trail time with friends, AND we want runners to create safe examples of getting outside, being self-sufficient, and doing their part to reduce the spread of germs. We discourage (prohibit) large groups running together, setting up aid stations, crews, jumping in an out of each others’ cars, etc.

We encourage you to:

·      Practice physical / social distancing

·      Keep your hands clean and to yourself

·      Run a distance that works for you

·      Carry your own supplies: fuel, hydration, etc. Do not share supplies with others.

·      Bring hand sanitizer, wipes, and a plastic baggie to dispose of all your waste

·      Take photos and Tag us.

Instagram link

Facebook link

We are always lucky to have the option to consider outside time, to be active and healthy. It feels like an exceptional gift right now. While out running, consider holding a cause or person in mind. If you have the means, make a donation to an organization or local business when you finish. Example: you would have bought a beer & burger after, why not support a business with gift card purchase? Running is a great time to process “There are not many issues in life that a long run can not solve. Sometimes the run has to be a bit longer.” Let yourself feel whatever you are feeling, frustration, hope, loss, desire, relief even if for a moment, and know that in that awareness you are allowing healing and acceptance. Trust that while running you are in a safe space to process. (just be sure to apply that awareness to your footing!) Sending lots of Love! - Krissy

Good News: Trail Work Report

As a part of 2020 race registration we encouraged runners to commit to 4 hours of trail work or a $100 donation to a trail organization of their choice. Being the first year that we added this we highly encouraged it, but did not require this commitment.

As of March 18 we received notice of

320 Trail Hours Worked and $3109 in Donations!!!

AWESOME JOB CHUCKANUT 50k RUNNERS!

This is incredible! We are making a positive impact working together like this.

26 people made cash donations

& 84 people volunteered trail hours.

The organizations that received funds were Washington Trail Association, Recreation Northwest, the Red Wing Environmental Learning Center and the Washington National Park Fund.

We will continue to track donations (we do not encourage Trail Work Volunteering now due to Social Distancing). Please let us know if you make a donation.

This feels like something to celebrate at any point and I am personally happy to have something bright to share with the running community right now.

AGAIN AWESOME JOB CHUCKANUT 50k RUNNERS!

Looking Ahead: Green Light date, Cancelation date, Virtual Run

In this update we address our green light date and reschedule plan, our final option for a 2020 date and our idea for a March 21 Virtual Run. We are still working through our policies for potential refunds/rollovers if we have to cancel or if runners can’t make the new 2020 date. Please hold tight as we work through those pieces. 

Green Light and Cancelation Dates

In considering the time it will take to restart and put on a summer version of the Chuckanut 50k our team decided that if we are given the green light to host a running event before or by July 17, and we are able to secure a date for that production before or by September 12, we will get to share in a 2020 Chuckanut 50k. We will proactively seek out possible dates and collaborate with all of our agencies, vendors and sponsors to be prepared, so that once given the green light we can actualize a race date. For our runners, we realize your racing calendars my already be full through the summer, and they are likely severely changing due to this pandemic. We will figure out our policies for handling the variety of situations posed by these changes and post those before this Saturday.

Virtual Run

We are very aware that you are excited and ready to run 50k this weekend and the idea of creating an online space for our racers to commune has been forefront of our minds since having to postpone. I’m thankful for conversations with Ethan and Kim of the Ginger Runner to gather understanding on what it takes and how they’ve executed the best Virtual Run out there. For our purposes, the Virtual Run doesn’t replace the race, but gives our runners a place to get out and celebrate their winter work as well as come together via photos and sharing stories. It is helpful because travel is not required, you can run from your door, have fun creating your own Interurban and Chinscraper and share with us how you did. We will try to pull in comments and share your photos too as well as cheer you on and congratulate your finish.

If you do plan to create a virtual run please remember why the Chuckanut 50k was postponed. It is hugely important to follow the COVID-19 guidelines if you are idealizing about running with another person this weekend. We understand the desire to share trail time with friends, AND I want runners to create good examples of getting outside, being self-sufficient, and doing their part to reduce the spread of germs. We discourage (prohibit) large groups running together, setting up aid stations, crews, jumping in an out of each others’ cars, etc.

We encourage you to:

·      Practice physical / social distancing

·      Keep your hands clean and to yourself

·      Run 50k or any distance

·      Carry your own supplies: fuel, hydration, etc

·      Bring hand sanitizer, wipes, and a plastic baggie to dispose of all your waste

·      Take photos and Tag us.

Instagram link

Facebook link

#VirtualChuckanut50k2020

Corrine Malcolm wrote a detailed and helpful article on iRunFar. She is registered for Chuckanut 50k and understands both the desire to be in Bellingham to run the race and the immediate need for all of us to act in the best interest of our broader community.

Remember it is not always, it is just right now. Whatever changes or discomforts or celebrations we are experiencing will change. What we do right now and the choices we make are what drive our future reality. Please continue to check in with us this week as we will finalize our new policies.

We are cheering you on as we all adjust and do our part in the current reality.

Chuckanut 50k Update and Reaching out to other RDs

Our team is meeting again (virtually) tonight to discuss the work we’ve been able to accomplish towards finalizing the postponement (permits, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, etc) and create plans for next steps. We plan to work through communication plans for a virtual event on the 21st, a reschedule plan once we get the green light, and a final date for 2020 production that if we reach would require cancelation. And if that happens a policy for refunds or rollovers. These are some of the pieces we are working on now and we will keep you updated.

I have shared with our Run the Ridge Sponsors Patagonia & Hoka - the individuals that work there that are being amazing resources to me and others - that I am available to bounce through ideas with other RD’s. Our Chuckanut 50k RD team is going through this the best we can and we may mess up and we may rock it, likely a bit of both. If we can offer an ear/sounding board and information to others going through these decisions to help them learn from our mistakes and do even better, we are here for you.

If interested, on the personal side behind these updates, I wrote a blog post summarizing my tough realities of having to postpone the race this year.

Chuckanut 50k Update

The following announcement was emailed to all runners through UltraSignUp, and sent to our Sponsors, Vendors, Permitting agencies and individuals that support the event. 

We have met multiple times and been in contact daily since posting on March 6 that we would create a plan by March 12. We have been weighing our options, envisioning creative alternatives, and ultimately considering the safety of the passionate community that we are so thankful to draw together each year. With today’s information our team reached one of the hardest race decisions I’ve made in 18 years of directing. Our Governor Inslee prohibited events that gather more than 250 people in three counties nearby in Washington State. With this information our team decided that the production of the Chuckanut 50k on March 21st will be postponed.

We have done a ton of work and are ready to produce the event, much like each runner has done the training to be ready to run. We will continue to work on this event as there are now many calls that need to be made and many more decisions to work through. Our postponing intention is to produce the event once a green light is given. We realize this could take weeks or months, so that creates uncertainty. We are working through how to best manage and take care of our community and our runners and will continue to post more information with the most concrete plan we can create by March 20.

We understand that each runner has put a lot into their training and in this taper window to receive this information can feel devastating. As an 18-year race director of this beloved event (it was my first ultra in 2000) I’ve been brought to tears multiple times as we talk through the tough decisions. I feel you. I hope that each of you will put your best energies towards something positive. Acknowledge this immediate loss of getting to race on the 21st, go for a run to process, and think about where you can best place your energy going forward. This will be an interesting couple of weeks, or even months, with information evolving daily – it has changed so much just this week – and we need everyone doing their best to move through this gracefully. Runners are strong, motivated people and we can represent that now by doing the best things we can to be supportive of the broader community.

We want to give everyone this information so your plans can be altered. Additionally, please stick with us. We will continue to make updates to the website and other social media outlets as we make decisions and will deliver our next steps and plan for engagement by March 20, likely sooner.

We thank you for your support in making a tough decision and ask that you remain involved as we continue to share.

Your RD’s - Krissy, Kevin & Tyler

Update: Chuckanut 50k 2020 Race Plan tbd by March 12

In light of continued information we are receiving from the Washington State, King County and Whatcom County Health Departments and our permitting agencies and sponsors about events, and in analyzing our field of runners traveling to the event - 78% of our registered runners are from outside Whatcom County - we are considering our options for the event. We want to let runners, volunteers and the community know that we will share our next steps for what the 2020 Chuckanut 50k will look like by Thursday, March 12.

Enjoy the weekend and Stay Healthy!