The Bellingham Traverse is an endurance multi-sport race that takes inspiration from the life journey of salmon. Soloists, tandem and relay teams compete for survival on the course that demonstrates the urban and natural challenges that salmon face in their journey.
The course follows the urban greenways and roads through Bellingham, showcasing the city’s parks including [...]
The Bellingham Traverse is an endurance multi-sport race that takes inspiration from the life journey of salmon. Soloists, tandem and relay teams compete for survival on the course that demonstrates the urban and natural challenges that salmon face in their journey.
The course follows the urban greenways and roads through Bellingham, showcasing the city’s parks including Boulevard Park, Lake Padden, Fairhaven, and Marine Park. The course then heads out into the open water of Bellingham Bay finishing at a hidden beach at the end of Cornwall Avenue that is where all teams gather to finish the last leg together as they “trek” the last 1/2 mile to the finish line at the Depot Market Square and Boundary Bay Brewery. Traverse Ale is fresh and on tap at the Awards ceremony into the evening.
This year, the Bellingham Traverse has announced a special economic stimulus opportunity for eighteen local environmental and recreational non-profit organizations that were beneficiaries of previous Traverse fundraising efforts and that have also helped promote the Traverse to their organization’s constituents.
The stimulus provides a free Traverse team entry on Saturday 19 September 2009 that can be leveraged by these local charities as a pledge drive, with 100% of the pledges going directly to their organization. “While many athletic events raise money for health related charities, not many raise money for environmental and recreational community organizations. During these difficult economic times,” said Todd Elsworth, Race Director, “it is increasingly difficult to get financial support for the environmental and recreational non-profits that help make Bellingham such a desirable and active community.”
The non-profit organizations offered this economic stimulus opportunity are Ducks Unlimited, Farm Friends, Greenways Volunteer Program, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, North Cascades Institute, Conservation Northwest, RE Sources, WHIMPS Mountain Bike Coalition (Whatcom Ind Mtn Peddlers), Center for Tribal Water Advocacy, Merlin Falcon Foundation (used to be Coastal Forest Merlin Project), North Cascades Audubon Society, Opportunity Council, People for Lake Whatcom, Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, Sierra Club – Mt. Baker Group, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, Washington Water Trails Association, and Whatcom Conservation District.
“The Traverse has always been oriented toward benefiting the non-profit community through encouraging racers to secure pledges for their favorite organization,” said Robyn du Pr’e, Exectutive Director of RE Sources, adding “This is another wonderful way that this very cool event supports community.”
For more information, contact Todd Elsworth at:
Todd Elsworth
info[@]BellinghamTraverse.com
360.739.8458
PO Box 2771
Bellingham, WA 98227
http://www.bellinghamtraverse.com
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