are all committed to the 29th Running of the Chuckanut 50k. From financial and product contributions to having staff present on race day weekend bringing great vibes we are SO thankful to have our Sponsors continue to show up for the Chuckanut 50k Community.
Vision: RPL's vision is to build inclusive running communities dedicated to protecting the environment - runnersforpubliclands.org
Extended overview:
Runners for Public Lands is a 501c(3) organization that builds inclusive running communities dedicated to protecting the environment. Our work aligns with two guiding principles - equitable access to nature and environmental stewardship. This focus drives our programmatic efforts to organize runners - the largest recreation group in the United States - to care for each other and take action to protect the lands we run on.
Where donations/funds go:
As a growing organization, the funds raised will go directly towards our mission of protecting the people and places we love. We have three main initiatives we're focusing on for 2023, the Everyone Runs Fund, Race Director Toolkit and Resource Hub, and we're also launching an Ambassador program to help us grow local chapters across the US. Below is additional info on each of those programs.
Everyone Runs Fund:
We recognize that running has barriers to entry for many athletes. Runners for Public Lands is excited to launch the Everyone Runs Fund in January 2023 to help break down those barriers and empower more runners to chase their dreams!
RPL Ambassador Program:
In 2023 RPL will launch an Ambassador program to establish communities of runners dedicated to protecting the environment in different cities. Our Ambassadors will create opportunities for runners to get involved in their communities by promoting equitable access to nature and environmental stewardship. This means hosting inclusive runs, organizing educational and volunteer events, and activating runners to steward and protect the lands they run on in fun and social ways.
RD Resource Hub:
Runners for Public Lands is eager to launch the Race Director Resource Hub to assist event organizers in implementing a sense of belonging, natural history, and environmental stewardship at their events. This Hub will provide free resources including the Race Director Guide to Community Building and Environmental Stewardship created in partnership with The Council for Responsible Sport and a Working Group of leading Race Directors from across the US.
We are so thankful to get to partner with incredible local Bellingham businesses through the Chuckanut 50k. Wander Brewing has hosted our post race party for about 5 years and we met just yesterday to discuss logistics of timing, porta potties and food trucks. Another local business, GirlNDog met with us and started the meeting with her amazing cookies. It was a super energizing meeting for the sweets and the sweet people sitting there.
For our runners - GirlNDog will join us at packet pick up Friday 3/17 to entice you and then will be slinging cookies at the post party from 4-9pm, 3/18.
Imagine a gorgeously revitalized vintage trailer slingin' cookies out of a cedar plank service window. That's GIRLnDOG in all her glory :: far + wide :: serving joy one cookie at a time.
Get ready for the inaugural running of the Chuckanut Kids in 2023. The race will have two distances to choose from, 1/2 mile and 1 mile. Finisher prizes will be provided for all racers. Come run with us! Registration opens on January 13th, 2023 on Pacific MultiSports and the race will be March 18 at 10:15am in Fairhaven Park.
Registration opens January 13, 2023 at 8am PST on PacificMultiSports.com.
$25 registration fee
$10 of each entry is a donation to Whatcom County YMCA Girls on the Run
Chip Timed Souvenir Race Bib
Finishers Awards for all participants
Race Date March 18, 2023 — 10:15am start in Fairhaven Park
Registration day for the Chuckanut 50k is my (Krissy’s) personal favorite day of the month. I get so excited seeing your names rolling in and get oddly competitive about filling faster than the year before. Our 2022 event filled in just over 3 hours, so we suggest registering and securing your spot before you head to work or out for your long run.
Our Volunteer sign up form is also now live in the menu bar of the website. Please encourage your friends and family to sign up there so that our volunteer coordinator, Kevin, can place people where they will have the most fun.
Our sponsors are also rolling in with their commitments. Be sure to check out the 2023 sponsors pages (LINK & LINK) and support the brands that support our sport. HINT - there are some cool deals showing up there!
And don’t forget, once you secure your Chuckanut 50k spot you can secure an extra ticket in the Galby Winter Trail Series while ensuring some solid training runs/races AND tick off your (recommended) trail work.
We look forward to seeing you in March and hearing about your training along the way! Please tag @chuckanut50 on Instagram so we can cheer on your training adventures.
Aspire Adventure Running, your source for Chuckanut post race apple crisp, incredible running adventures, and hometown supporter of the Chuckanut 50k, is launching the Galbraith Mountain Community Race Series.
Quick Summary:
4 Races, on the 2nd Saturday of each month, Dec-March
3 Distances to choose from: Short 6-10 mile (ish) Long 12-15 mile (ish) and a kids Race
8:30am Race Start
Chip timing from Pacific Multi Sports
Hot Apple Crisp and Coffee at the finish!
Volunteer Trail Work opportunities after each race
Winter in the PNW is legendary. Muddy trails, misty forests, and cold temperatures are guaranteed, but to the stalwart trail runner these conditions are essential to the joy emanating from a winter running practice. In the spirit of sharing these gifts with you, we are pleased to announce the Galbraith Mountain Community Trail Series.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been doing this for 20 years. Maybe it’s because I’m still catching up on sleep. Maybe it is just that Ben did the most amazing job capturing what it felt like to come back to in-person running of the Chuckanut 50k. All to say I’m tearing up looking through these photos from race weekend and I hope you find as much joy as I am!
Ben shared his photo plan with me early that morning and it sounded like he would run 15-20 miles carrying a camera to catch all of our runners in different spots. There are so many great moments captured here. Check out the link when you can look through each one in full size. Also, please respect that these photos are for purchase.
Ben edited the photos on this site to meet his standards of good (GREAT!) photos, that includes framing, coloring, focus (these are my words not his). If you do not see a photo of yourself, you can check with Ben by sending him an email. If he has one, he likely didn’t post it because it didn’t meet one of those standards and he may share it with you at no charge.
DROP BAGS: If you would like to put post race clothing in a dry bag for the finish line, we will store them for you in the lower pavilion at Fairhaven Park. You can drop off the bag when you arrive to Fairhaven Park on Saturday morning. The shuttle driver will drop you near the lower parking lot near the lower pavilion.
Please make sure the tag from your race bib is securely attached to your bag.
Please do not store any valuables in your bag. We will do our best to monitor all bags, but we cannot be held liable for lost or stolen items.
START LINE WARM CLOTHES: Since the drop bag storage is a couple hundred meters downhill from the start, up by the tennis court at the top of the park, and the weather is looking a bit chilly for race day morning and we want you to stay warm until the race starts, we encourage you to wear clothing you would like to donate over your running clothes. We will give you a countdown warning to peel off this/these layers and leave by the side of the start. We will collect and donate these items to a local shelter.
On each racer bib there is a $6 voucher that can be used at any of our food trucks at Fairhaven Park. Enjoy eats from:
Food is also available for sale to racers, their family and friends and anyone else that wants to come out.
Once you wrap up at the finish line, head over to Wander Brewing for our post race party! We will have a raffle to benefit Whatcom County Girls on the Run. Food Trucks at Wander (vouchers not redeemable)
Many veteran Chuckanut 50k runners will tell you that is isn’t a true Chuckanut 50k unless it is raining. As the RD I would love to show off how spectacular Bellingham is when the sun comes out, but with the race committed to the third weekend in March we typically showcase the drippy, grey that the PNW is known for and is beautiful in its own right.
Looking ahead at the 10-day forecast, it looks like the 2022 runners will see a true Chuckanut 50k. With rain leading in to the weekend we are securing mud, and likely showers and cool temperatures on race day we need to ensure that everyone is prepared.
a wind/waterproof jacket
gloves
beanie
additional gear as you see fit to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the race.
There are spots on the course that will be difficult for our team to get to should you need help or assistance. As trail and mountain runners it is your responsibility to be prepared on the trails and that includes when you are racing in an organized event.
Wander is inviting everyone to celebrate at their brewery Saturday evening from 4-9pm. Food trucks - Greektown, New Public and Antler Baking Company, will be available to refuel your big miles. Beers on tap and in cans. Outdoor and indoor seating. Dogs are also allowed, but there is a one bark policy. We will host a raffle to benefit Whatcom County Girls on the Run - tickets selling all weekend, $5 each or 5 for $20.
