Kids have their own Traverse!
Recreation Northwest Hosts First Annual Bellingham Kids Traverse
Now kids can be part of the Northwest Traverse Multi-Sport Series
BELLINGHAM, Wash., May 3, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization in Bellingham, Washington, is expanding its multi-sport race portfolio with an event geared toward 6-to-14 year-olds: the Bellingham Kids Traverse at Civic Stadum on June 29, 2013.
Now children can share in the Bellingham Traverse fun as well. The Bellingham Traverse, a multi-sport race celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon that includes running, biking and kayaking, will take place on September 21, 2013. Children are invited to participate in the Bellingham Kids Traverse, a pint-sized but appropriately challenging version of the Bellingham Traverse.
The Bellingham Kids Traverse will mimic the Bellingham Traverse in its course set up. Participants can complete the course as a Chinook (soloist), Coho (tandem team), or Chum (relay team). The Kids Traverse will start at Civic Field with a 1 mi. run through Salmon Woods, then a 1.5 mi. mountain bike around Civic and Geri Fields, next a .5 mi. obstacle course inside Civic Stadium and finish with a .25 mi team TREK to the Mallard Ice Cream Finish Line. The top three finishers in each age group get awards, and all finishers get a Kids Traverse ribbon and ice cream.
Recreation Northwest Executive Director Todd Elsworth looks forward to the launch.
“Adults have had so much fun doing the Bellinghm Traverse for the past twelve years, and we want to give kids the same opportunity with the Bellingham Kids Traverse,” Elsworth says. “Recreation Northwest is always looking to get the entire family outdoors.”
A portion of the 2013 Bellingham Kids Traverse proceeds will to the Whatcom Family YMCA. Register online at: BellinghamKidsTraverse.com
Friends of Capitol Forest will benefit from 2013 Olympia Traverse
Recreation Northwest announces The One beneficiary for Olympia Traverse
A partnership with Friends of Capitol Forest
BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 29, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization in Bellingham, Washington, feels a thriving business sector is crucial to the overall health of the community. Recreation Northwest announces the recipient of The One 2013 Olympia Traverse partnership: Friends of Capitol Forest.
Each year, Recreation Northwest chooses a local non-profit to be beneficiary of the multi-sport Olympia Traverse. This recipient, known as The One, is chosen based on commitment to the community through their work and the programs they offer. Recreation Northwest also considers organizations who have been directly involved with the race and who will continue to use this as an awareness and fundraising opportunity for themselves.
As The One beneficiary for 2013, Friends of Capitol Forest will receive a portion of the 2013 Olympia Traverse proceeds. Recreation Northwest will also be donating to the organization’s cause, and offering Friends of Capitol Forest two company team slots so they can compete alongside the community in the Olympia Traverse.
The Olympia Traverse is a multi-sport adventure relay race for solo, tandem, relay and Company Teams celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon. The course includes mountain biking (7.4 mi.) in the Capitol Forest; road biking (22 mi.) through Thurston County; paddling from West Bay to Swantown (3.5 mi.); running (4.5 mi.) to Priest Point Park and then back to the Hands On Children’s Museum for the 1/2 mile “Team Trek” to the Fish Tale Ale Finish Line at Port Plaza.
Early bird registration rates for the Olympia Traverse end April 30, 2013. To learn more about Recreation Northwest and the upcoming Olympia Traverse, Bellingham Traverse, Padden Mountain Pedal and Bellingham Kids Traverse, visit http://www.recreationnorthwest.org or call 360-739-8458.
Announcing Padden Mountain Pedal
Recreation Northwest adds Padden Mountain Pedal to Event Portfolio
BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 29, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization in Bellingham, Washington, expands its race portfolio to include the Padden Mountain Pedal. Recreation Northwest produces sustainable events that promote public health and wellness, showcase the region’s recreational amenities and connect businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Executive Director Todd Elsworth is confident that hosting the July 14, 2013 Padden Mountain Pedal at Lake Padden will engage the active Bellingham and regional cycling communities.
This race, which began in 1993, presents a wonderful challenge for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities. Mark Peterson has been Race Director for the Padden Mountain Pedal for the past 20 years, and will remain on as Race Director in partnership with Recreation Northwest.
“I am proud to be partnering with Recreation Northwest so the Padden Mountain Pedal will continue on as the cornerstone of cross country mountain bike racing in the Pacific Northwest for many years to come,” Peterson said. “I’m ecstatic to continue on as Race Director while Recreation Northwest handles all the other details that make for a successful event. Recreation Northwest has the experience, logistical support and resources that were paramount qualifications in my search for a great partner. There is no doubt in my mind that this partnership will keep the longest standing mountain bike race in the Pacific Northwest relevant and vibrant well into the future.”
Elsworth expects the 2013 Padden Mountain Pedal to draw 250 riders. Lake Padden boasts a scenic course, and various age and ability brackets make this race accessible to the entire community. Youth cyclists are invited to hop in the saddle as well, and there will be a free kids race at the event for children 10 and under.
Elsworth said under the board’s leadership, and with the efforts of dedicated volunteers, the new organization is well equipped to host the Padden Mountain Pedal and to pursue its goals of encouraging public health and the stewardship of open spaces through community recreation events.
Recreation Northwest produces three multi-sport adventure relay races: the Bellingham Traverse, Olympia Traverse and the new Bellingham KIDS Traverse.
For more information about the 2013 Padden Mountain Pedal, visit http://www.paddenmtnpedal.com.
To learn more about Recreation Northwest and the upcoming Bellingham Traverse, Olympia Traverse and Bellingham KIDS Traverse, visit http://www.recreationnorthwest.org or call 360-739-8458.
PeaceHealth partners with 2013 Bellingham Traverse
PeaceHealth Becomes Title Sponsor of 2013 Bellingham Traverse
PeaceHealth partners with Bellingham Traverse to promote community health and wellness
BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 29, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization recently launched in Bellingham, Washington, is excited to announce a partnership with PeaceHealth. Together, Recreation Northwest and PeaceHealth encourage local businesses to facilitate relationships with community members and promote active lifestyles by participating in the 2013 Bellingham Traverse.
Recreation Northwest hosts a number of multi-sport events, including the Bellingham Traverse, which celebrates the life cycle of wild salmon, and the natural and urban challenges of their journey. On September 21, 2013 solo, tandem and relay teams will compete in running, mountain biking, road biking and paddling legs of the Bellingham Traverse, ending with a Team TREK to the finish line at Boundary Bay Brewery.
Recreation Northwest and PeaceHealth urge local companies to form teams and train throughout the year for this Northwest Rite of Passage.
“PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center is pleased to sponsor this local community wellness event. In keeping with our mission of promoting personal and community health, we are excited to be a part of the Traverse this year,” said Rhonda Curry, Director of Marketing and Communications at PeaceHealth.
PeaceHealth will be encouraging its own employees to get on board.
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, which includes a not-for-profit full-service hospital founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, is part of the Northwest Network of Care within the PeaceHealth system with medical centers in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. In addition to the hospital and PeaceHealth Medical Group, PeaceHealth’s local services include several Centers of Excellence, North Cascade Cardiology, a diagnostic laboratory, a joint venture outpatient imaging service, a specialty clinic in Sedro-Woolley and a critical access hospital on San Juan Island.
To learn more about the 2013 PeaceHealth Bellingham Traverse, visit: http://www.BellinghamTraverse.com or call 360-739-8458.
Help out the Chuckanuts- Lost Antler Trail Work Parties April 27-28 and May 4-5
Fellow Footsters,
I hope you can join us sometime over the next two weekends (April 27-28 and May 4-5) as we finish up the last couple sections of the coolest new trail in the Chuckanuts, the Rock Trail (A.K.A. Lost Antler Trail). Whether you’ve already helped and been snared by the beauty of the place, or totally missed out on previous occasions, come on out and be part of the story.
Tools, gloves, hardhats and cookies provided. As always, dress for the weather and bring lunch. Hiking or work boots recommended. Plan on descending and re-climbing about 100 fabulous new timber and gravel stairs. There’s an overhanging cliff available in case we need to duck out of the rain for lunch.
We’ll be up there this Saturday and Sunday and the following weekend as well (REI volunteers will also be joining us on May 4). Meet at 9:00 am sharp at the Gates Overlook at the end of the Cleator Road.
Directions: Head 4 miles south of Fairhaven, turn left on Hiline Road (before the fire station), which becomes Cleator Road; follow the bumpy road to its end near the top of the ridge. To carpool, meet in Fairhaven at 11th and McKenzie by 8:30 am. Volunteers do not need a parking pass. We’ll wrap up and be back to the cars by 2:00 pm.
A handful of us will also be working on the trail several days next week, so drop me a line if you want to join us then and we’ll coordinate schedules.
Feel free to invite others. No experience necessary!
An RSVP is helpful, but not required (email, phone or text, 202-758-8802).
May the tread be with you!
Ken Wilcox
Attend the Nooksack Loop Trail Meeting!
Our Friends at Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation are hosting an informational meeting Wednesday, April 10th from 7-9pm, Squalicum Boathouse
2600 Harbor Loop Drive, Bellingham, WA 98225 (map)
Join the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation to learn about their research and visioning on a project that aims to establish 45 miles of multi-modal trails throughout the heart of Whatcom County. This is your chance to GET INVOLVED!
The Nooksack Loop Trail concept is comprised of four trail segments that have been on Whatcom County’s park plans since the 1970s. The public may be familiar with past attempts at establishing such trails as the Bay to Baker Trail, the Coast Millennium Trail, and the Nooksack River Trail. The Foundation’s Nooksack Loop Trail sub-committee believes the strength in the current endeavor lies in its connectivity. The proposed trail route intends to connect the cities of Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and Everson, as well as various parks throughout the county.
Topics will include: Routing Discussion, Near future opportunities, Long-range action plan and How you can help!
Join the Nooksack Loop Trail Facebook Event page.
Learn more about the Nooksack Loop Trail.
Learn more about the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation.