Many have tried to copy Ski to Sea's success

* The Ski 2 Sea race in Kelowna, B.C., which has six venues over 60 miles. The race, which will be held April 6, has a similar name, even though the event is held nearly 200 miles from the sea.

* The Ridge to River Relay will be held in Wenatchee April 12 and features five venues over 35 miles.

* The Snow to Surf race will be held in Comox, B.C., on Vancouver Island April 20 and features six venues and about 50 miles of racing.

* The Pole, Paddle and Pedal race in Bend, Ore., will be held May 17 with six venues covering 55 miles.

* The June 6 Gap to Gap relay will be held in Yakima with five legs covering 52 miles.

* The Mountains to Sound Greenways relay near Seattle is quite new, but growing. It starts on Snoqualmie Pass and goes around the Seattle area on June 29 covering 104 miles.

* The Bellingham Traverse will be held here again on Sept. 27 with five legs over 36 miles.

We encourage all our racers to participate in other races, as well.

I share ideas and information with race directors in other communities as it helps us all put on better events.

Being physically active and participating in races or just enjoying outdoor recreation is part of the healthy lifestyle that is heavily promoted in this part of the country.

The Ski to Sea Race is just part of that healthy lifestyle.

All of the other multi-venue relay races in the Northwest are fund-raisers for local charitable organizations, while the Ski to Sea Race is part of the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, which is a non-profit organization.

While racers from all over the country come to Bellingham to race in the Ski to Sea Race we are always trying to keep it as a local event to emphasize the local athletes, volunteers and sponsors.

For more information on Ski to Sea, please visit the race Web site at www.skitosea.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of weekly stories leading up to the May 25 Ski to Sea race which will give a behind-the scenes look into the largest annual community sporting event in Whatcom County. Each story will be written by a member of the Ski to Sea Race Committee. Second-year race director Pete Coy, who has been involved with the race for more than 30 years as an athlete and a volunteer, wrote this week’s entry.

Recent Stories

• Ski to Sea plans to recycle more, offer shuttle for 2009 race
• Official results in: Bagelry won '08 Ski to Sea
• Full Ski to Sea results may be available today
• Safety came first in decision making
• Race results now available