Summary: The Chuckanut 50k is a lollipop course in Bellingham, WA. The first 10k and last 10k repeat on the Interurban Trail with smooth running to start and finish. The middle 30k includes all the elevation change and traverses and descends the Chuckanut Mountain Ridge, with some technical terrain and often wet, Pacific Northwest weather. The 2017 course was modified because it was the 25th anniversary of the race, and 2018 will be using the same course.
Lessons Learned from Race Reports
- New for 2018: ALL runners, crews & spectators must park at Western Washington University Lot 12A and take shuttles to the start/finish line at Fairhaven Park. Vehicles are not allowed to park in Fairhaven Park.
- Bring your own cup – cup free race at the aid stations and start/finish, including finish line food
- The infamous Chinscraper climb in the latter part of the race really isn’t the end of the climbing, so be prepared to keep going up
- It’s a long downhill at the end on very tired legs, followed by the flat Interurban trail, so leave something for that long downhill and flat section, as you can pass a lot of people who are completely gassed in that section
- Weather tends to be wet and chilly, so dress accordingly, especially if you plan on walking a lot, as you will chill easily – it can often be windy up on the ridge
- Race tends to feel like 3 different races with the first part being flat, then all the hills, then flat again, so if you do well breaking up races into chunks, this one’s for you!
Detailed course description:
- The interurban trail – first 6 miles of the course
- Start is about a mile further down the trail at Fairhaven park
- Wide and flat dirt path
- Loop through a parking lot to aid station
- Fragrance Lake climb and the descent to Cleator Road
- Nicely groomed trail with switchbacks with steady climb and gentle descent
- Go counterclockwise around the lake
- Cleator Road
- 2.5 mile dirt road climb flat-ish middle section
- The Ridge Trail and the Lost Lake Trail
- The Ridge Trail – somewhat technical and steep with roots and rocks
- The Lost Lake – potential for mud
- Chinscraper
- Short and steep climb
- The Fragrance Lake descent
- Cleator road to Fragrance Lake road
- Make sure to take the sharp left turn onto Fragrance Lake road (front runners have missed this in years past)
- The interurban trail return – last 6 miles of the course
- Wide and flat dirt to the finish (same as start)
Elevation
Total gain/loss: 5147/5147
Ft/mile gain: 166
Total climbs: 5
Longest climb: 2.8 miles, 1200 ft from miles ~10.5-13.3
Steepest climb: (chinscraper) .7 miles, 783 ft, ~20.5-21.2
Course Map and Elevation Profile / Downloadable and Printable version of course map
Aid stations
Total aid stations: 5 (not including start/finish)
Furthest distance apart: 7.3 miles
Locations: Miles 6.77, 10.2, 13, 20.32, and 24.85 (same as AS#1)
What’s available: Clif Organic Energy Food, Clif Bloks, Clif Bars, boiled potatoes, peanut butter & jelly wraps, cookies, gummy bears, oranges, bananas, grapes, potato chips, pretzels, mini candy bars, Fig Newmans & Sunspire Drops. Drinks include: First Endurance EFS, water & cola
Crew access
Access Locations: None, start/finish only
Pacers
None
Race qualifiers
None
Race reports
Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Sam Peckham

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Nick Keenan

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Olin Berger

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Ather H

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Matt P

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Keith Laverty

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Frank Fisher

Chuckanut 50k Race Report – Austin W

Chuckanut 50k – Jeff K

Chuckanut 50k – Stephanie G
Strava activities and GPX files
https://www.strava.com/activities/905478204/overview – 2017 course
https://www.strava.com/activities/521484774/overview – 2016 course
Race Website
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