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 to February
A Race Series for All Ages, Abilities, Families, and Friends
Join us in celebrating our local trail community and the incredible trails on Bellingham’s backyard mountain. Wake up to marked trails, finish line bonfires, steaming coffee, and hot apple crisp. Follow the morning with lunch at a local watering hole. This is your community race series.
2023-2024 Race Registration is NOW OPEN!
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 2 distances: a 5-8 Mile “Short” Race and a 8-15 “Long” Race. Trails will be clearly marked/flagged on race day. Over the course of the winter, runners will run across many, if not the majority, of the Galbraith Mountain trails. Morning races will be followed by an aprés- party at Wander Brewing each month.
Kids Races
Monthly kids races are open to all ages!
Kids courses will be approximately 2 miles. There will be a 9:30 shuttle from the Samish Way parking lot to the race start for registered kids. Race start time will be at 10:00 am.
Race Course Maps & Info
| Race Date | Short Distance/Elevation Gain | Long Distance/Elevation Gain | Trailforks |
| November 11 | 8.5 Miles/ 1,190′ | 13.2 Miles, 2,344′ | View the Course |
| December 9 | 6.5 Miles/ 655′ | 11.8 Miles/ 1597′ | View the Course |
| January 13 | 7.5 Miles/ 1,129′ | 12.5 Miles/ 2,137′ | View the Course |
| February 10 | 7.3 Miles/ 1,083′ | 14.3 Miles/ 2,780′ | View the Course |
Race Day Schedule
- 6:30 Volunteer Check In
- 7:30 Race Check in and Bib Pick Up
- 8:30am Long Race Start
- 9:00am Short Race Start
- 9:30am Kids Shuttle from Samish Way Lot
- 10:00am Kids Race Start
- 1:00-2:00pm Lunch Party (offsite location TBA)
Competition, Community, Awards, and Prizes
Races will be chip timed and results will be published by our partner Pacific Multisports. While each month’s race will be a stand alone event, runners can track their standing on an overall series leaderboard in 2 categories: Overall Points and Cumulative Low Time. Awards and prizes will be distributed at a season finale celebration.
Overall Points Category
| Activity | Points | Description |
| Race Participation | 1 | All runners earn a point for participation in each race. |
| Series “Crusher” Bonus | 3 | Run all 4 race weekends. |
| Age/Gender Group Winners | 3-1 | The first three finishers in each age group, every race, will accrue additional points. (Child 0-10, Youth 11-15, Young Adult 16-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 60+) |
| Final Finishers | 1 | The final 3 runners every race in each age/gender category. |
Cumulative Low Time
Each race will have a fastest time “winner” in each Age and Gender category. Additionally, runners can compete for the“over all” series winner in both the long and short distances in each age and gender category. This is calculated by the cumulative low time in each distance over the whole series. To qualify, runners must race the same distance (short/long), each month for the entire series.
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 “Family” registration (3+ Household members)
- $30 Individual Race Entry
- $70 “Family” 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. For runners who are not WMBC members, a required $10 pr. Race donation will be added to individual race registrations, $20 per family and a $35 Individual and $60 Family donation to race series packages. Become a WMBC Member
