WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Ski to Sea returns for its 51st race Sunday, May 24 for what is expected to be an exciting day of athleticism, community building and fun. Without four-peat winners Birch Equipment competing this year, the field is open for a new winner to claim the title.
This year’s race sold out in record time and 500 teams are set to compete in the race that stretches from the high slopes of Mount Baker all the way to the roads and waters of Whatcom County.
If you’re looking to move about in the county, some spots are recommended to avoid if traveling by car such as the Mount Baker Highway east of Maple Falls, Riverside Park in Everson, Hovander Park in Everson, Zuanich Park and most of downtown Fairhaven.
Spectation is encouraged at Hovander, Zuanich and Marine Parks but Riverside Park is closed to spectators due to flood recovery efforts. Increased bus traffic will shuttle people to Fairhaven, where the finish line at Marine Park is expected to be packed as the race comes to a close.
Live coverage will be on KGMI 790AM and 96.5FM from 7 to 9 a.m. with Joe Teehan and Dianna Hawryluk up on Mount Baker, then the finish line will have The Zone’s Allan Fee and Jason Upton also on KGMI from 1 to 3 p.m. Listen via radio, this website or on the My Bellingham Now app.
This story will be updated as the My Bellingham Now team covers Ski to Sea throughout the day. Race results will be posted here but to see how your team is doing, head over to Ski to Sea’s official web app for full results.
12:40 p.m. – As cyclocross gets underway, spectators have gathered at Marine Park to join in the festivities. Live broadcasting will begin for KGMI at the finish line at 1 p.m. Tune in to hear commentary and interviews with Jason Upton and Allan Fee.
12:15 p.m. – Marr’s Heating still in first as they come out of the water in Hovander Park, with Pacific North Sports just two minutes behind them. Over 300 teams have completed the road bike leg of the race, including 13 of the 18 car-free teams. The high school division of Ski to Sea this year has nearly every team also on the water.
11:25 a.m. – Team THE REVENGERS (#46) have one member of their team doing back-to-back legs of the race, transitioning from road bike to canoe. So far, over 100 teams have taken to the water. Seventeen teams have been granted early release from the seven-leg relay race.
10:53 a.m. – As the changeover gets underway from road bike to canoe, videos of the action will be on our social media Instagram and Facebook. Thirty teams have completed the first four legs of Ski to Sea this year, with leader Marr’s Heating running roughly 10 minutes ahead of last year’s times for four-peater Birch Equipment. A lack of snow shortened the cross-country ski leg of the race this year.
10:05 a.m. – Marr’s Heating is once again leading this year’s Ski to Sea, with Pacific North Sports hot on their heels in the road bike portion of the relay race. Canoeing is next.
8:46 a.m. – First runner has finished the race. Marr’s Heating is once again in the lead. This comes as nearly half of downhill skiers have finished their leg of the race.
8:25 a.m. – The onlookers have started to thin atop Mount Baker as the first two dozen runners take off down the mountain with a police escort.
8:09 a.m. – Marr’s Heating took the lead, finishing downhill ski first. Pacific North Sports (Bib #13) takes second but not very hot on Marr’s tail. Boomer’s has come in third.
7:46 a.m. – Boomer’s Drive-in (Bib #1) is the first to pass the baton from cross-country ski to downhill ski at this year’s Ski to Sea. Bib #11 (Marr’s Heating) is second to finish the first leg.
7:00 a.m. – Race organizers say that the cross-country leg of the race will be shorter due to lack of snow.
7:00 a.m. – Race organizers say that the cross country leg of the race will be shorter due to lack of snow.
