Sports - Ski to Sea

POSTED: Friday, May. 22, 2009

Here's a quick look at the history of the race

1911: The Mount Baker Marathon requires contestants to travel from Bellingham to Mount Baker by car or train, then run up and down the mountain, and then take a car or train back. The 116-mile race drew 14 participants, with winner Joe Galbraith finishing in 12 hours and 28 minutes.

1913: The race is stopped after Vic Galbraith, Joe's cousin, falls into a crevasse while racing down the glacier. He is found nearly dead six hours later.

1973: Fifty-two teams enter a new relay race featuring downhill skiing, bicycling and canoeing. The Taverns team wins in 2 hours, 56.28 minutes.

1975: Running leg added to the race, which ends at Civic Field.

1976: Race ends at Lake Padden

1977: Race ends at Hovander Homestead Park.

1978: Race ends at Lake Padden

1979: Cross-country skiing and the Masters division added, race ends at Hovander Homestead Park.

1980: Sailing added, race ends at Marine Park in Fairhaven.

1988: Able division added for people with physical disabilities.

1990: Kayaking added as option for the last leg.

1991: Mountain biking leg and Junior Ski to Sea race added.

1992: Sailing eliminated as an option on last leg.

2000: Race reaches cap of 400 teams.

2004: Snowboarding added as option in the downhill skiing leg, Family division added.

2005: Outrigger canoe added as option in the kayaking leg.

2007: Electronic timing chips to be used for split times. Galbraith, Blossom and Brennan cups added to recognize top finishing Whatcom County teams.

2009: Mountain biking course from Hovander Park to Squalicum Harbor changed to add more off-road obstacles.