FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2015 Event Information
The ninth annual Bellingham Bay Marathon ("BBM") will be Sunday, September
27, 2015. In addition to a full marathon, BBM offers a half marathon, 10K,
and 5K. Each race is open to runners and walkers, and race registration is
available online through ChronoTrack.
On race weekend BBM also sponsors an Expo featuring various vendors,
clinics, and a pasta dinner – all of which will be Saturday, September 26,
at its host hotel, The Lakeway Inn & Conference Center. After the races on
Sunday, participants, spectators, and the public are invited to attend
BBM’s Finish Festival, including live music, food vendors, and a beer
garden at Depot Market Square in downtown Bellingham.
BBM is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Its point-to-point course starts near
Gooseberry Point on Lummi Nation and finishes in front of Depot Market
Square in downtown Belingham. Featuring scenic views of Bellingham Bay, San
Juan islands, and North Cascade mountains, participants often describe BBM
as the most beautiful marathon in the Pacific Northwest.
The BBM half marathon, 10K, and 5K courses each start and finish at Depot
Market Square in downtown Bellingham. Last year DailyBurn called the half
marathon one of the 50 best in the U.S., and each course features some of
the same scenic views as the marathon. The half marathon and 5K courses are
already USATF-certified, and the 10K course (new for 2015!) will be.
The BBM races are mostly on paved roads (some completely closed, others
with controlled traffic), with stretches of urban trail. The courses
include some hills, but virtually no net elevation gain/loss.
Total 2014 BBM finishers included: 372 in the marathon, 1,493 in the half
marathon, and 300 in the 5K. BBM draws a wide range of participants, from
elite runners to casual walkers, nearly 2/3 of which reside outside of
Whatcom County. Approximately 2/3 of BBM participants are female.
Founded in 2007 by the Bellingham Bay Swim Team ("BBST"), BBM is now a
major fundraiser for BBST and the Whatcom FC Rangers ("Rangers"), both
501(c)(3) organizations. Every year BBST and Rangers supply hundreds of
volunteers for BBM, earning it a reputation for having fantastic volunteer
support.
BBM also benefits other youth non-profit organizations in Whatcom County.
2014 proceeds have been donated to: Boys & Girls Club, Girls on the Run,
Lummi youth programs and services, Northwest Youth Services, and Whatcom
Rowing Association.
The Bellingham Bay Marathon is presented by Sanitary Service Company.
Organizers work closely with City of Bellingham and Lummi Nation officials
to organize and conduct the event.
Further information about the Bellingham Bay Marathon is available at
bellinghambaymarathon.org.
###
|
