Back on Track

Story by ANW Staff

Races and Rides Set to Resume

Story by ANW Staff

After more than a year of exclusively ‘virtual’ events, local outdoor recreation event organizers are cautiously planning a return to honest-to-God in-person events this summer and autumn, albeit with new COVID-19 precautions and protocols.

Pacific Multisports has announced the return of two of their popular events, the Lake Whatcom Triathlon (July 10) and Bellingham Traverse (September 11). The locally-owned company also supports 30-40 race events annually throughout the greater Bellingham area with registration, results, and timing, and has been focused on helping event organizers move safely back from virtual events to in-person events.

COVID protocols will likely include things like wave starts, pre- and post-race zoom meetings (in place of the post-race party), masks requirements prior to the race start, and limitations on the number and location of spectators. Learn more at pacificmultisports.com.

The adventurous spirits behind Bellingham-based Quest Races have announced a plethora of upcoming events for summer and fall, including Bellingham SwimRun (June 6), Seattle SwimRun (August 1), Orcas Island SwimRun (September 26), and Island Quest Adventure Race (October 3).

The SwimRuns are perennial favorites, offering participants the opportunity to “run in a wetsuit and swim in running shoes.” Numerous COVID precautions will be in place, including starting the races in pre-scheduled waves of 20 racers. Learn more at questraces.com.

The iconic Tour de Whatcom bike ride is scheduled to return on July 17. Marking its 16th year, the Tour has four different routes of varying lengths from 22 to 100 miles (Century Ride) and offers something for every level of cyclist and every member of the family. The event will follow all CDC guidelines and state mandates to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including a one-hour window start time in order to stagger riders.

“The Tour de Whatcom has built a reputation as a spectacular ride,” says Whatcom Events Race Director Anna Rankin. “You get to see everything: Mt. Baker, Lake Whatcom, valleys, rivers, lush farmland, beaches and Puget Sound all in one fairly level ride.” Learn more at whatcomevents.org.

When it comes to the kids, Bellingham Parks and Recreation has stepped up and announced the return of the venerated Bellingham Youth Triathlon on August 1. This event has been inspiring kids age 5-13 since 1999. Learn more at cob.org/services/recreation/ races/bellingham-youth-triathlon.

Also for kids, the beloved Girls on the Run camps are back. Geared to girls from 3rd-6th grade, these week-long camps organized by the Whatcom Family YMCA might just be the highlight of the summer for local girls. Camps are June 21-25 and July 26-30. Learn more at: whatcomymca.org/ girls-run-camp.

Snohomish Running Company (SRC) Race Director Grant Harrington has already pulled off several races in the past few months employing COVID protocols, so confidence runs high with respect to this year’s Bellingham Bay Marathon, slated for the weekend of September 24- 26. The marathon consists of a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon and Relay, and is a Boston Marathon Qualifier.

Snohomish Running’s Courtney Olsen says, “we believe that the opportunity to sign up for, train for, and race is a benefit that prompts not only health— physically, mentally and socially —but a way to step out from the gloom and hardship of the past year and into something that celebrates, supports and honors community, our local youth programs, and all those we’ve lost.”

Amen. Learn more at bellinghambaymarathon.org.