News - Local News

POSTED: Monday, Dec. 08, 2008

Fleetwood, Pike join Ski to Sea team

Whatcom County Councilman Seth Fleetwood thinks he's "OK," but "not great," at cross-country skiing.

"Well, it's true," the 45-year-old said of the event he likes to do in the annual Ski to Sea race from Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay.

"Every year I think next year is the year I get in really good shape," he said. "Of course, I never really follow through with that."

So maybe 2009 is the year it'll happen. Fleetwood is starting up a new Ski to Sea team, where he will join Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike to form a masters division team for the May 24 race. Members must be older than 40 to compete in that division.

"(Fleetwood) said something about wanting to get an old guy's team that was reasonably fast," Pike said of joining the team for the running leg. "I qualify for the old guy part. I used to be reasonably fast, but now I consider myself half fast."

Old? Masters division members?

"Does that make me old or middle-aged?" Fleetwood asked, noting he'd never really felt that he and the 51-year-old mayor would be considered old guys.

"It blows my mind to be perfectly honest, but that's the way it goes," he said.

Fleetwood has participated in the race about 20 times, he said. The first time was in 1981 as an 18-year-old high school senior. He's also done the running and canoeing courses of the seven-leg race.

Pike used to run for Western Washington University's cross-country team.

Both believe the event is a great motivator to stay in shape.

Fleetwood said they're not sure who else will be on the team, though he found a good kayaker at the county health department. The overall goal isn't to find an entirely government-based team, though it could be a fun theme, he said.

"We're looking for a team that can place," he said. "That's a silly goal."

Pike envisioned another goal as he laughed.

"Not only is it a getting in shape thing, but it's a county-city cooperation thing," he said. "See, we can get along."