This past weekend we hosted the Bellingham Traverse. We’ve been at this endeavor for 16 years and yes, it’s evolved over the years, but the foundation of fun is at the core.

As Kai Rysdall says on Marketplace, “First, let’s do the numbers.”

We have 20 sponsors for the event. Led by Boundary Bay Brewery as our hosts and providers of the Traverse souvenirs. This year all of our people got Traverse IPA leather coasters that were made with reused machine belts. Pretty cool!

This great group of local businesses give us the backing to make this all happen. Traverse Sponsors includes La Fiamma Pizza/Fiamma Burger, KAFE Radio, City of Bellingham, REI Bellingham, Adventures NW Magazine, Sawaya Photography, Whole Foods Market, Ashley and Vance Engineering, SPIE, Kulshan Cycles, Birch Equipment, Heritage Bank, Village Books, Coastal Insurance, Sustainable Connections, Mount Baker Experience Magazine, Bellingham Herald, Whatcom Talk.com and the YMCA. We appreciate their support and role in our community. Please visit these businesses and thank them if you have the chance.

In order to make this all go off without a hitch is our Traverse CREW. We have 100 volunteersthat come out for the day to ensure for a fun and safe event. The CREW is managed by Becca Weathers, as she is responsible for recruiting and assigning people out on the course. At the helm this year was Ben Twigg, our Race Director, making sure it all went smooth. At the start, we have veteran volunteers Iain Davidson and Megg Pedlow with Michael McAuley helping set up and perform as our Emcee! At each Transition Area, we have core captains that make it all connect smoothly: At Lake Padden, Chris Mellick and Andrew Olive; Fairhaven, Erin O’Rourke and Matt Wright; Marine Park, Dallas Betz; Cornwall Beach, Jen Castaldo and back at the finish, board member Erin McCain Anderson. There are sooo many people to thank. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Our Course setting team was led by Ben Twigg and included Marc Blake, Craig Stephens, Keri Heagle and Scott.

Our Traverse Sweep Team as led by board members Al Ragan and Brian Roche to make sure all of our Spawners were accounted for.

This year we had a total of 430 people on 113 Teams that breaks down into 18 soloists, 20 Tandem, 47 Teams and 28 Company Teams. Check out the 2017 Traverse Results to see how everybody stacked up.
Check out our Traverse Facebook page and look at Jon Brunk Photography for fun start & finish line photos.
We appreciate having such a supportive community for helping us host this annual event. See you next September!
BTW- Yes, this is a charitable event. This helps us with our Stewardship of Fairhaven Park.