Every September since 2007, runners have flocked from around the region to the Bellingham Bay Marathon, known in some circles as one of the most scenic road running races in the Pacific Northwest. This year’s event on Sunday, Sept. 22 is expected to draw between 2,200 and 2,500 runners for the marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K races.
The marathon was founded by the Bellingham Bay Swim Club. Last year, event timing company Pacific Multisports took over race directing from Snohomish Running Company.
“I think marathons in general have seen a decline in recent years but Bellingham Bay Marathon still has a lot of potential to grow,” Pacific Multisports founder Marc Blake said.
Around 20% of attendees are racing the full marathon, while the half marathon claims around 40% of runners. Athletes who may not want to tackle the full marathon can race with teammates in the relay marathon, and several local gyms field at least one relay team.
“The relay brings a lot of good energy to the event,” Blake said.
The event attracts elite athletes as well as recreational runners looking for a challenge. Jake Riley, an Olympian who was born in Bellingham, recently reached out to register for the half marathon, Blake said, and last year’s marathon winners, Adrian Cedillo (2:41:00) and Courtney Olsen (2:45:13), will be back to defend their titles.
The Pacific Multisports team implemented one big change in 2023 based on requests from runners: Taylor Dock, which wasn’t part of the race for a few years, was back on the route for the half marathon and 10K (the 5K travels through Boulevard Park).
“Taylor Dock is an iconic part of the course and associated with the race — it was still being used in the marketing photos. We felt strongly that we needed to bring it back,” Blake said.
The courses that visit Boulevard Park now avoid the railroad tracks so there’s no chance runners will be held up by a passing train, he added.
The marathon distance is a point-to-point that starts at Lummi Nation School and has not been changed to incorporate Taylor Dock. That’s because the course is certified by the USA Track and Field Association as a Boston Qualifying Marathon, a rigorous course-measuring process that must be done physically, not by GPS. The marathon still travels along miles of waterfront and through Zuanich Park, with views of the bay and Mount Baker.
Bellingham Bay Marathon’s title sponsor is PeaceHealth, with logistical support provided by Lummi Nation. Two Whatcom County youth nonprofits, Bellingham Bay Swim Team and Whatcom FC Rangers soccer club, receive the proceeds from the event and team members provide volunteer support all along the course.
Registration is open until race day — visit bellinghambaymarathon.org for more information. Blake noted that for participants, spectators and everyone else, getting around town on the day of the race might take some extra time. (Alternative travel is available through Whatcom Transportation Authority.)
“It’ll be pretty busy downtown from a community standpoint and we want to make sure we’re keeping athletes safe,” Blake said. “If anyone has questions on parking or roads, please check the website.”
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
