Chuckanut 50K Runners Give Back Nearly 800 Hours and over $31,000

The Chuckanut 50K, one of the Pacific Northwest's iconic trail ultramarathons, once again demonstrated that its community of runners is as committed to the trails as they are to racing them. In their 32nd in-person running this year, the event brought 541 runners to Bellingham's beautiful trail system, collectively contributing 791.83 hours of volunteer trail work and $31,523.84 in donations — a remarkable investment in outdoor spaces and the organizations that work to maintain and protect them.

The race operates under a permit for up to 600 participants, reflecting the race’s commitment to balancing recreational access with responsible stewardship of its natural resources. As a condition of the race directors, each of the event's participants is required to complete four hours of trail work or contribute an equivalent donation. The result: a community-powered conservation effort that far exceeds what any individual could accomplish on their own.

"The Chuckanut 50K is the oldest trail ultra in Washington and has evolved over the years with the sport and the Bellingham community. Seeing our runners collectively contribute so many hours of trail work and tens of thousands of dollars to organizations doing meaningful work in the trail space speaks volumes about the power of this collective that we love being a part of," said Krissy Moehl, Race Director of the Chuckanut 50K.

Runners could contribute their time or money to a trail focused organization local or meaningful to them, or choose one of the three race recommended groups. Donations directed to the three recommended organizations were as follows: the Washington Trails Association ($12,352.26), Runners for Public Lands ($9,112.32), and Girls on the Run of Whatcom County ($7,434.19). These contributions will directly support trail maintenance and preservation, youth running programs, and advocacy for public lands across the region. Events like the Chuckanut 50K highlight the powerful partnership between the city, race organizers, and the broader trail running community in protecting these treasured green spaces.

The Chuckanut 50K is a trail ultramarathon held each year in Bellingham, WA the third Saturday of March. Put on by local runner Krissy Moehl, the race is known for its challenging course through the Chuckanut Mountains and its strong culture of trail stewardship and volunteerism.