Have you always wanted to run the beautiful trails of the Chuckanut Mountains? Or get into paddling on Lake Padden? How about trying your hand (and legs) at mountain biking? If so, you’ve got to check out the Excursions happening on February 27 as part of the Recreation Northwest EXPO 2016.

Excursions are outdoor adventures designed to connect people who want to get out and explore with the folks who know where to go and how to do it—like Krissy Moehl.

Krissy Moehl, Ultramarathon Runner

Krissy Moehl  is the coach for Revolution Running Bellingham. She’s also an ultramarathon/trail running champ with more wins and Fastest Known Times than you can imagine. On top of training for 100+ mile races, she’s also written Running Your First Ultra: Customizable Training Plans for Your First 50K to 100-mile Race and serves as race director for the beloved Chuckanut 50K.

For this Excursion, Krissy is teaming up with Aspire Adventure Running to lead a multi-pace, multi-distance group trail run through the Chuckanut Mountains. Revolution Running is providing coaches to give runners training and racing tips, and lead different pace groups. Some will do the entire “Chuckanut Casual,” which consists of the middle 30K (18.6 mi.) of the Chuckanut 50K course, while others may elect to do 15, 12, 10 or even six miles. Paces and distances will depend on who signs up.

And yes, mere mortals can do this run! You don’t have to be an ultra trail runner to get out and have fun. “Even if you’ve never been on the trails, the Chuckanuts are an easy introduction,” Krissy said. “The thing I love to share about trail and endurance running is the idea of where  your two feet can take you. When I was growing up in Bow, I looked at the mountains and thought they were pretty, and now I know I can get up there on my own two feet.”

What to Bring

The run is free and open to the public, and Aspire Adventure Running is providing a light breakfast ahead of the run, plus an aid station on the course and a recovery meal afterwards.

Runners should bring their own water and trail food, and dress in layers for a variety of weather—you never know what conditions will come up. “There will be an aid station, but it’s always a good idea to be self-supporting on the trails,” said Krissy.

Come by the free Recreation Northwest EXPO on Friday, February 26, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to meet Krissy Moehl, get all the details and sign up for the run. “This is a great opportunity to meet the greater running community both in and beyond Bellingham,” she said.

• Trail Run: 9:00 a.m., meet at Lost Lake/Clayton Beach Parking Lot. Bring your Discover Pass for parking or pay the daily fee.

Additional Excursion Opportunities

(Free unless otherwise noted)

• Bellingham 5K Winter Trail Run Series: 10:00 a.m., meet at BBMX Park in Bellingham. $10 or $5 for GBRC members.

• Mountain biking with the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition: A 2 – 3 hour guided tour of Galbraith Mountain’s amazing Mountain Bike trails. Groups will be organized by ability and fitness level. 10:00 a.m., meet at Samish Way parking lot near Galbraith Lane. Please RSVP to smbcmtb@gmail.com

• Paddling with Yeager’s: A variety of watercraft will be available to try on Lake Padden with folks from Yeager’s Sporting Goods. 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., meet at the swim beach near the park’s west entrance.

• Hiking with Fairhaven Runners/GBRC: Explore Lake Padden Park’s upper trails, led by Polly Favinger of Fairhaven Runners and the Greater Bellingham Running Club. 10:00 a.m., meet at the swim beach near the park’s west entrance.