Contact Information:

Todd Elsworth

Executive Director

Recreation Northwest

360-739-8458

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Vital Choice Bellingham Traverse Brings Runners, Cyclists and Paddlers to Bellingham

Registration open for individual, tandem, relay and company teams to participate in September 20 multi-sport race.

BELLINGHAM, Wash., September 11, 2014— Recreation Northwest announces the 2014 Vital Choice Bellingham Traverse, taking place all around Bellingham, WA on September 20, 2014. The 13th annual event starts at noon at Depot Market Square in downtown Bellingham. From there, participants will run, mountain bike, road bike and paddle through Boulevard Park, Fairhaven, Lake Padden, around Lake Samish, through Fairhaven Park and on Bellingham Bay. Each team will trek together up Wharf Street to finish at Boundary Bay Brewery. The race is open to soloists, as well as tandem and relay teams.  

Because the race utilizes popular recreation areas, public access could be restricted throughout the day. Bellingham Traverse organizers work with local agencies to designate the safest routes for participants and spectators, and ask that the public use caution or avoid these areas: Lake Padden Trails (12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) – mountain bikers will be using the trails; please avoid during this brief timespan. Lake Samish roadways (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.) – road bikers will be on the road; motorists, please use caution. Marine Park (2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.) – paddlers will be staging boats and runners will be entering the park; to view the event, these areas are best accessed by foot or bicycle.

The Bellingham Traverse is a community event inspired by the life cycle of the salmon that inhabit our local waters. Participants, known as “Spawners,” range in athletic ability from hard-core competitors to those donning costumes and just having fun. Everyone is encouraged to “think like a fish” throughout the course, and the public is welcome to come out and cheer on the Spawners in this spectator-friendly event.

Companies and individuals are encouraged to put together a team or go it alone. 2014 participants include:
Boundary Bay Brewery, who has hosted the finish line beer garden since year one, and this year is entering a company team, led by paddler Janet Lightner. (Media contact: Janet Lightner, , 360-927-2715.)

Kurt DenAdel, who competed on tandem teams in past years, and this year is going Solo. (Media contact: or 360-676-0868.)

The Carter Clan, a team of 10 family members ranging from ages two to 71! (Media contact: Kevin Carter, .)

The YMCA Department of Fun, a group of women renowned for their fun costumes and contagious spirit. They’ve been participating for years! (Media contact: Tammy Bennett: .)

Roe to Win, put together by Bellingham Traverse Title Spawnsor Vital Choice, this team includes Blaine Wetzel, celebrated chef at The Willows on Lummi Island. (Media contact: Judy Olsen, .)

The Traverse Course includes a 5.5 mile Greenways Run, 6 mile Mountain Bike, 18 mile Road Bike, 3.4 mile Trail Run, 3.6 mile Paddle and 0.65 mile Team trek to the finish at Boundary Bay Brewery.

Registration is open until 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 19.

To learn more, visit http://www.BellinghamTraverse.com. To learn more about Recreation Northwest, visit http://www.RecreationNorthwest.org or call 360-739-8458.

Permalink: https://www.recreationnorthwest.org/bellingham-traverse/

About Recreation Northwest

Recreation Northwest is a Bellingham, Washington–based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting outdoor recreation, and bringing people together to enjoy, preserve and improve the places where we play. Through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, we work to raise awareness of our public green spaces and their inhabitants, including one of the Northwest’s most revered symbols—the salmon. Recreation Northwest produces the Northwest Traverse Multi-Sport Series, which celebrates the salmon’s journey and culminates each year with the Bellingham Traverse; the Quest Adventure Races; the Race Directors Summit; and the Recreation Northwest Conference and EXPO. Learn more at RecreationNorthwest.org.

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