Just about the time you might have thought Bellingham couldn't possibly have room for another new running concept, along comes Candice Burt with six new race days.
Actually, the Bellingham Trail Running Series consists of six events - one a month through July - consisting of 11 races total and it has already proven to be a hit.
The first event, Fragrance Lake 10K and 20K trail runs not far from Larrabee State Park, attracted 140 runners on Sunday, Feb. 12, said Burt, the race director. Of course, that's no surprise in Bellingham, which surely is a leader in running participation for a small city.
"I think this fills a need for those who love trail running and those who love the Chuckanut 50K race," said the 30-year-old Burt, a licensed massage practitioner who owns Bellingham Bodywork. "It seemed like there was something missing on the Bellingham running scene."
Chad Calhoun, a 39-year-old Bellingham resident, began running trails a couple of years ago and said Sunday's event was a big hit with everyone he talked with on the trail.
"For a runner like me, this series is a dream come true. I can't say enough about how good this is. This first race was exceptionally well run," Calhoun said by phone. "I don't do road races, but I just love running on trails. I'm definitely on the ultra path (races longer than a marathon) and I'm going to do as much of the series as I can. It's pretty cool to be involved in it."
Burt, an equestrian as a young girl, discovered trail running as a cross country and track competitor at South Whidbey High School -- where she was an A student team captain as part of an academic state champion -- and has loved it ever since.
"You know, I think running is often divided between warriors and explorers," Burt said, "and about 95 percent of explorers are trail runners. In fact, we trail runners sometimes make gentle run of road racers, because they tend to be warriors."
Burt found herself inspired by her first 100-mile trail run, the Cascade Crest endurance race not far from Easton in August.
"I finished about 10th in the women's race" - an explorer is not hung up on remembering exact finishes - "and I found the experience very satisfying, even though it was one of my most physically painful experiences. I had stomach pain and blisters in 90-degree temperatures."
So, of course, she can't wait for her next 100-miler.
"I'm signed up for the Tahoe Rim Race in July," she said with the smile of an explorer who realizes it's all about the journey. In November at Utah's Zion National Park, she registered the FKT -- fastest known time -- of 11 hours and 47 minutes on the 48-mile crossing. She also has run the Rim to Rim to Rim Run at the Grand Canyon.
Not that she isn't competitive. In fact, her good experiences in the Washington State Ultra Series - seven races longer than a marathon - in 2010 and 2011 inspired her to begin the new series in and around Bellingham.
"I didn't win any of the races, but I won the point title in 2010 and I finished second in 2011 to an excellent runner who is a good person to be second behind, Shawna Tompkins from Mount Vernon," Burt said, noting that only the best four finishes are scored in the ultra series.
"The Bellingham Trail Running Series will score only the best three of our six events, so people don't have to participate in every run," said Burt, whose daughters, Marina, 6, and Stella, 4, are providing support.
Her boyfriend, James Varner, operates Bellingham-based Rainshadow Running, a series of the toughest long-distance races in the Northwest. Burt's sponsors include Fairhaven Runners and Walker, Rainshadow Running, Crossfit X and Hoppis Real Estate, and she said the series will benefit non-profits.
"I also have a passion for writing," Burt said, "so I've combined my love of trailing running to create a blog."
She'll have plenty to write about, continuing with the Stewart Mountain 5K/15K above Lake Whatcom on March 11; the Alger Alp 2-mile/5-mile on "Little Baldy on April 15; and the Sehome Hill 5K/10K on May 12.
Summer races include Raptor Ridge 25K, on a new Chuckanut system trail, June 3; and Blanchard Mountain 10K/25K on July 29.
"These locations are new to trail races," Burt said. "We'll also have age-group winners such as 20-29 and 30-39. Anyone is welcome to participate. I think this will be fun for both warriors and explorers. The focus is on enjoying some of the most scenic trails anywhere, and walkers can do the race as well as runners."
TOP FINISHERS
Men's 20 K: 1. Peter Ellis, Kirkland, 1 hour, 30 minutes, 40 seconds; 2. Dusty Caseria, Bellingham, 1:32.25; 3. Emil Newhouse, town unlisted, 1:35.58.
Women's 20K: 1. Jodee Adams-Moore, Sedro-Woolley, 1:40.33; 2. Jen Gallant, Bellingham, 1:57.55; 3. Lindsay Mann-King, Bellingham, 1:57.55.
Men's 10K: 1. Christopher Eno, Bellingham, 54:09; 2. John Diefel, Bellingham, 57:19; 3. Corey Clausen, Bellingham, 57:28.
Women's 10K: Alanna Steele, Bellingham, 57:04; 2. Anna Ferdinand, two unlisted, 59:31; 3. Campbell Tasker, town unlisted, 59:57.
