Ski to Sea 33 years, 82.5 miles, 7 legs and many winners | story by Paul Haskins
95 years ago, in 1911, what began as more or less a publicity stunt to garner attention to the adoption of North Cascades into the National Parks system, the Mount Baker Club (a group that is still active—check them out at www.mountbakerclub.org) with the help of the local businessmen, created the Mount Baker Marathon. Using steam trains or automobiles, 14 solo participants set out from Bellingham to reach the lower flanks of Mount Baker where they then raced to ascend the 10,778 foot summit of Baker before descending to waiting trains or cars and racing back to town.
Joe Galbraith went down in the history books as the marathon’s first winner with a time of a little less than twelve and a half hours. Galbraith also went home with the five gold double-eagles winner’s purse.
The Mount Baker Marathon was held as an annual event three times before a near tragic event and public outcry sent the race into hibernation.
In 1973, the race was revived by the Bellingham/Whatcom County Chamber of Commerce with several significant changes. From a solo race, it became a multi-participant relay; from an up the mountain and back, it changed over the years to a race from the mountain to various locations down-mountain (the shores of the Nooksack, Civic Field, Lake Padden and Hovander Homestead Park). It wasn’t until 1980 when a true “sea” portion was added with a sailing leg that finished at Fairhaven’s Marine Park. In 1991 a mountain bike leg was added, and in 1992 the sailing portion was traded in for a kayaking leg (fickle winds became too problematic).
Now, with downhill (or snowboarding) and cross-country skiing, running, road and mountain biking, canoeing and kayaking, Ski to Sea is an event for any serious or casual athlete. The race draws in up to 400 teams per year—that’s 3,200 participants—plus countless support people and spectators. And with the Junior Ski to Sea the weekend prior to the main race Memorial weekend, as well as the anticipatory parades and the race-day celebration and festival in Fairhaven (It All Ends in Fairhaven), everyone can take part in some way.
It’s early enough now to get training, put a team together and register, or just plan to watch and celebrate. There are always some who may want to “get outta town” to avoid the commotion and crowds, but instead you really should dig in and be part of it. The Ski to Sea race perfectly celebrates some of the greatest physical efforts and recreational opportunities in the region and puts both participants and spectators in the midst of the best Whatcom County has to offer.
Get inspiration from seven racers of top Whatcom County teams as they share some memories, secrets and insights from last year’s race to help get you out the door for this year’s event.
Cross Country Ski Leg
Racer: Don Garland
Age: 49
2005 Team: Bellingham Tennis Club
(8th in Whatcom County, 52nd Overall)
Number of Ski to Sea races: 4 – cross country skiing each time
Don Garland is no stranger to climbing or skiing in the backcountry. An avid cross country skier, he has been perfecting his glide since he first took up the sport back around 1975. And as an active outdoors person he trains a lot. “All year basically,” says Garland.
“I don’t get out as much as I used to—I have a seven year old daughter now—and I don’t take as many risks in the outdoors. I haven’t climbed as much in the last eight years.” Although a new direction in life seems to have changed his priorities, when he does get out, he likes a variety of sports. “Either I’m on my bicycle, or I play tennis, and I ski as much as possible.”
Garland is self-effacing when it comes to describing his team. “Oh, just a bunch of enthusiasts,” he says of a team that placed 52nd out of over 365 teams. “We’re all pretty athletic—most of us are members of the Fairhaven Tennis Club,” Garland continues. “Regardless of age, we all just like to participate in competitive, team activities.”
“The tragedy of lack of snow up on the mountain,” was how Garland described his most prominent memory of last year’s rather dry and snowless Ski to Sea. “We had to climb up almost to Artist Point to find enough snow to actually do the event.”
Regardless of the snow level, Garland put the whole 2005 Ski to Sea into perspective. “A huge number of people get involved in the event—a wide range of skill and ability—and that’s the beauty of Ski to Sea. Everybody can participate and have a good time.”
