Sporting Events
In Bellingham, WA people love to get outside and play every way they can. You can even ski in the mountains and paddle on the ocean in the same day!
This incredible terrain is part of what makes Bellingham the perfect hub for every kind of athletic event. Home to a host of outdoor races throughout the year, you’re sure to find an event that matches your favorite activity.
Pull together a team of friends, or go solo. Just make sure you get out there!
Annual Events
Bellingham Bay Marathon
Often called “the most beautiful marathon in the Pacific Northwest,” the Bellingham Bay Marathon offers scenic courses, with views of Bellingham Bay, San Juan islands, and North Cascade mountains
Swim, mountain bike, and trail run at the Bellingham Off-Road Triathlon, a USAT sanctioned event! The course includes an 800-meter freshwater swim in Lake Padden, 9K of challenging mountain bike single track, and a 4.1K trail run along the lakeshore through lush forests and big trees. This race can be done solo or as a relay team.
This is a true Pacific Northwest adventure in a race!
Bellingham SwimRun
Participants are treated to an inspiring and challenging course utilizing Lake Padden and the surrounding forested trails.
Bellingham Traverse
Run, bike, and paddle through Bellingham’s scenic parks, winding trails, and open waterways, in this fun relay race adventure! Compete as a soloist, tandem team, or a team of five.
This timed event features five legs: two run legs, road bike, mountain bike and a kayak leg.
Mount Baker Bike Club’s annual scenic ride through scenic Whatcom County benefitting the Vamos Outdoor Project.
Founded in 1993 and held every March, the Chuckanut 50k is a mountain ultra that includes climbing 5,000 ft in and around the Chuckanut Mountains.
Starting and finishing in Fairhaven Park, the first and last 10k repeat on the Interurban Trail, which includes smooth, relatively flat running.
Join this fun and festive event located at Fairhaven Park in Bellingham. Participants can run or walk either the 5K (1 lap) or 10K (2 laps). There is also a Little One’s Run held in the field next to the parking lot.
Holiday-themed costumes are highly encouraged! There are several holidays in December, so choose your favorite.
Lake Whatcom Triathlon
This is how Bellingham does Olympic-Distance Triathlon. The event welcomes beginner to elite athletes in individual and relay divisions including Individual Sprint Course, Aquabike and Youth Splash & Dash.
Ascend 4,462 feet from Chair 9 in Glacier to Artist Point (5,140 feet elevation) in 22 miles.
The Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542) is known as one of the most scenic paved roads in the country and rarely closes to motorized vehicles from Glacier to Artist Point.
With steep elevation and several switchbacks, this ride is not for the faint of heart, but the views are stunning. Experience the agony and the ecstasy!
A community-forward festival, fueled by mountain biking, music, art and craft beer! This three day event features great opportunities for those who enjoy biking, featuring free bike demos, guided clinics, kids events, spectator-friendly exhibitions, and competitions that span enduro, dirt jump and pump track categories.
Padden Triathlon
The Padden Triathlon is an excellent first, second or twenty-second triathlon. The course is simple, beautiful, and well-staffed where the goal is to make the best organized, most affordable, chip-timed event to participate in all summer. Start your triathlon season here in Bellingham!
Ski to Sea
A 93-mile multisport relay race from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay. A team consists of three to eight racers competing in seven sports: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing/snowboarding, running, road biking, canoeing (two people), cyclocross biking and kayaking. Choose from 15 divisions to compete in.
View Mt Baker, Lake Whatcom, valleys, rivers, farmland, and beaches. With rides varying from 22 miles to 100, you’ll find a great ride for every member of the family.
A portion of proceeds benefit local charities, so you can ride for a great cause!
Costumed groups of 4-8 members per team, running between 8 different breweries and cideries throughout Bellingham, makes Trails to Taps one of the most fun events of the year!
The relay includes 35 miles of trails, roads, and parks with leg lengths between 3 and 6 miles.
Team Bellingham is made up of a group of local athletes chosen to represent Bellingham and compete at local races, as well as across the country and around the world.
Read more about the incredible accomplishments of the entire team and local events on Pacific Multisport's website.
Check out a full playlist on our YouTube Channel to see the top places to train and compete in Bellingham featuring just some of the many talented athletes on Team Bellingham.
