Cold, Dark, Grey, Wet… The Perfect Racing Conditions
Winter in the PNW is legendary. Muddy trails, misty forests, and cold temperatures are guaranteed, but to the stalwart trail runner these conditions are essential to the joy emanating from a winter running practice. In the spirit of sharing these gifts with you, we are pleased to announce the Galbraith Mountain Community Trail Series.
2nd Saturdays
November -December- January
A Race Series for All Ages, Abilities, Families, and Friends
2025-2026 Race Registration is OPEN!
Sign Up to Run or Sign up to Sweep or Spin Apples!
Galbraith History
Galbraith Mountain is a Bellingham community treasure. While the storied history of trail development and advocacy that protects this resource is deeply rooted in the mountain bike community; the trails are shared by hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. It is our pleasure to partner with the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition to host a series of winter trail running races focused on friends, family, and shared mountain stewardship.
Series Description
The Galbraith Mountain: Community Race Series is an annual winter event. Runners can sign up for the series as a whole or for individual races each month. Each race will feature 3 distances: a 1-5 Mile “Short” Course, 6-10 Miles “Medium” and a 11-15 Miles” Long” Course. Trails will be clearly marked/flagged on race day. Over the course of the winter, runners will travel many of the known and lesser-known Galbraith Mountain trails.
Course Maps
Race Day Schedule
- 7:00am Volunteer Check In
- 7:45am Race Check in and Bib Pick Up Opens
- 8:30am Long Race Start
- 9:00am Medium Race Start
- 9:30am Short Race Start
- 11:00-1:00pm Apple Crisp and Ice Cream.
Competition, Community and Awards
Races will be chip timed and results will be published by our partner Pacific Multisports. Awards and prizes will be distributed at the January Season Finale Event.
Individual Competition
- Individual Race: Each month’s race will be a stand alone event. The series finale will recognize individual race winners (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place) without regard for age or gender category.
- Individual Cumulative Low Time: Runners can compete for the “over all” series winner in age and gender (male, female, or non-binary) categories. To qualify, runners must race the same distance (short/medium/long), each month for the entire series.
Team Competition
New for the 2025/2026 Race Season we are introducing TEAM COMPETITION for the Series.
- BIB Pick Up and Team Formation
- At bib pick up existing teams or any newly formed teams will register with Aspire. These teams may have organized organically or strategically prior to race morning.
- All racers will be given the opportunity to join or form a team on race morning.
- Teams will easily be identified with their team name written on a 2”x2” square piece of paper attached to their bib.
- Anyone without a team will be given a blank 2”x2” square piece of paper.
- Thorough race morning and during the race, teams may recruit other races to their team.
- Finish Line, Decision Time
- When racers cross the finish line, they will have the opportunity to place their 2”x2” square into ANY TEAM CUP of their choice.
- Throughout the race teams and individuals may engage in respectful, dialogue, humor, and sundry strategies to incentivize others to join their team. No stealing of squares and only one square per runner per race into a single cup of their choosing.
Monthly verses Season Champions
- Each month the team with the most squares in their cup wins.
- Teams may have members in each race distance, each runners race completion regarless of distance, counts towards the team’s total.
- Recruitment of new team members may continue between races.
- At the season finale , the team with the most squares in their cup from the January Race, is recognized as the Galbraith Series Champion. As such this team is awarded the Gal-Bear Trophy, which they may hold in honor until the following year.
Parking
No personal vehicle parking will be allowed on Galbraith mountain. Runners will be required to park off mountain in designated parking lots. We recommend parking the Galbraith Mountain and Padden Trails Parking Lot off of Samish way. Runners can walk, jog, or ride bikes to the race HQ. Aspire will provide a bike corral for bike parking, we recommend bringing a bike lock.
Race Start/Finish
Each month’s race will start/finish from the same location. This race “headquarters” will serve as the bib pick up, emergency and first aid station, as well as the locust for post race celebrations. Tents, heaters, coffee, and hot Dutch oven apple crisp will be staples at each race. This will be the hub for race day celebrations.
Aid Stations
Specific aid station information will be announced with each month’s race.
What to Bring
Runners will be responsible for carrying their own hydration bottles, bladders, vests, and cups. These races will happen rain or shine and runners should dress accordingly. We also recommend that runners bring a drop bag containing warm layers, a change of shoes, a coffee mug, and post race attire.
Cost
- $100 Series per “Individual” runner
- $250 Series per “Household” registration (3+ Household members)
- $40 Individual Race Entry
- $100 “Household” price for a single race weekend (3+ Household members)
Aspire is proud to support the WMBC for the tireless work of preserving public access and trail stewardship on Galbraith Mountain. We invite the trail running community to directly support the WMBC by becoming annual members. Become a WMBC Member
Not racing but want to volunteer? Join the excitement of race day by helping out. You get a free race entry as well as a post race lunch as a thank you!
