This year marks Recreation Northwest’s second annual Bellingham Kids Traverse, taking place on Sunday, June 29 at and around Civic Stadium.
Recreation Northwest promotes outdoor recreation and brings people together to enjoy, preserve, and improve the places where Whatcom County residents play.
Kids ages 6 to 12 compete in different divisions (solo or in teams of two or three) on a course made up of a one-mile run, one-and-a-half-mile bike ride, and half-mile obstacle course.
Last year’s inaugural event exceeded organizers’ expectations.
“It went great and was a blast,” says Race Director, Jen Gallant. “We had a fairly large turnout and the feedback from the parents and kids was amazing.”
For participant Jack Osterkamp – at the time a second grader at Happy Valley Elementary School – it was a chance to compete in his first real race. “Plus,” he says, “I could do it with one of my best friends.”
Osterkamp and classmate Russell Bower worked as a tandem team, with Osterkamp taking on the run and Bower biking; they then completed the obstacle course together.
Many of the older participants completed the event on their own, which Gallant says is ideal for those kids who really want to challenge themselves.
Younger kids often worked in relay teams of two or three, “and then they would all three run in together to ring the bell and finish together,” says Gallant. “The whole team has to cross the line together to get their official time, just like with the Bellingham Traverse.”
Also mirroring the Bellingham Traverse experience last year was the feeling of camaraderie among the Kids Traverse members, working together as a team and supporting one another.
“It’s a typical Bellingham event,” Gallant says. “It’s laid back, no pressure, but everyone works hard and has fun.”
Distances in the Bellingham Kids Traverse are realistic for six-year-olds to achieve safely, while still challenging faster-moving 12-year-olds.
After crossing the finish line, all participants receive a ribbon for completing the race, with bigger awards given to the top three finishers in each division and age group.
“There’s quite an extensive awards ceremony,” says Gallant. “A lot of kids will get recognition for their effort – many who have never competed in any kind of race or event.”
Everyone receives one more fantastic thing after completing the course: an ice cream cone from Mallard Ice Cream.
“Mallard brings their big truck out there and the kids march up and get their ice cream cone,” says Gallant with a laugh.
The race will go on, no matter the weather.
“Last year it was nearly a record heat day and it was perfect,” says Gallant. “Let’s hope for another one of those sunny days – it makes the ice cream taste even better.”
Gallant’s top moments from last year’s Bellingham Kids Traverse?
“Just the huge smiles,” she says, “and the looks on the kids’ faces as they crossed the finish lines.”
Nine-year-old Jack Osterkamp remembers two moments in particular when he thinks back on his first Bellingham Kids Traverse.
“My favorite thing was the obstacle course because of all the equipment they had out,” Osterkamp says. “It was so much fun!”
His second-favorite thing? Coming in first place with buddy Bower.
“We weren’t even thinking about winning,” Osterkamp says. “We were off playing in the long jump sand pit when Mom comes running over saying, ‘You won, you won!’” And then they handed us the first place ribbon. What a surprise!”
“He was very proud,” says Jack’s mother, Stacy Osterkamp, with a smile.
“It seemed like all the parents and kids were having a great time as the kids sat around eating their ice cream from Mallards and the parents chatted away with friends,” she continues, remembering the sun-drenched day.
Recreation Northwest is able to put on such a fantastic event only with the help of community “spawnsors” and partners. Vacation Land RV is the title sponsor for this year’s Bellingham Kids Traverse.
Other sponsors include Mallard Ice Cream, Q Laundry, the Bellingham Herald, Village Books, Birch Equipment, Samuel’s Furniture, Kulshan Cycles, La Fiamma Wood Fired Pizza, Fiamma Burger, Klicks Running & Walking, Orchard Bar, Sustainable Connections, and Pacific Continental Realty.
Partners include the YMCA, Bellingham Parks and Recreation, Sportsplex, Brownlie Evans Wolf & Lee, and Greenleaf Accounting.
Registration fees range from $30 for solo participants, $55 for two racers, and $80 for a three-person team. Company teams pay $200. Register online here.
Visit www.BellinghamKIDSTraverse.com for more information.
Learn more at www.recreationnorthwest.com and register for the Bellingham Kids Traverse here.
Bellingham Kids Traverse
Sunday, June 29 at 10am
Bellingham’s Civic Stadium
1355 Civic Field Way
Bellingham, WA 98225
