Your Bellingham Athlete Ambassadors (aka Team Bellingham) have been busy representing Bellingham at races locally and afar. They continue to blow us away with their accomplishments and stories! Here’s a round-up of what some of them have been up to so far in 2023!

Alicia

Earlier this year Alicia headed to Arizona to tackle the Black Canyon 100K. It was a race she has run before but the first time looked easier on paper than it was in reality. She went into the race this year with a better understanding of the challenges of the course, and with the hope for a stronger finish. Read the full story here in The Return To The Desert – Alicia Jenkins Runs The Black Canyon 100K

 

Alicia tackles the Black Canyon 100K

Ana

Ana never ceases to amaze us. She’s definitely one to watch in the paddling world! In the last couple of months alone Ana has:

You can also find Ana practicing locally at the Monday Night Intervals and Wednesday Night Races with Whatcom Paddlers

Want to know more about Ana? Check out this Cascadia Daily article, “Ana Swetish: Bellingham’s Surfski Prodigy”

Ambassadors Ana and Jonas at the US Sprint National Team Trials

Cal

Although Cal can usually be found on the mountain bike race circuit. We were excited to see him show up for 3 of Aspire’s new trail running races on Galbraith Mountain. Not only did he show up he walked away with first overall for three long courses!

So far this year Cal has also competed in the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Mountain Bike Race and rocked the socks off the Westside Mountain Bike Race Series.

 

Cal competing in the Westside Mountain Bike Serie

 

David

David is coming back strong from an injury last year and was excited to be able to race at the Fun with the Fuzz 5K last Saturday.

He’s also been having fun exploring all the trail options up on Galbraith and Chuckanut and is gearing up to compete at the Pacific Crest Endurance Festival in Bend, OR later this summer.

 

Debbie

Earlier this year Debbie raced at the Deception Pass Half Marathon and won Overall Female. Then two weeks ago she competed in the Galveston Ironman 70.3 and broke the tape as Overall Female! Now she’s building towards Ironman Nice in June.

Debbie breaks the tape at the Galveston Ironman 70.3!

 

D.J.

Our favorite D.J. story from the last couple of months was cheering D.J. across the finish line of his first 50K at the Chuckanut 50K and then seeing him head over to the Prime Sports Insitute tent to give out post-race massages to other finishers. Totally awesome!

DJ also competed recently at the Honey Wagon Runs and in the Aspire Galbraith Community Race Series. He’s gearing up now to compete at Ironman Coeur d’Alene. Good luck D.J.!

You also can find D.J. on Wednesday nights working out at the Greater Bellingham Running Club track workouts.

D.J. on course at the Chuckanut 50K – photo credit Ben Groenhout

 

Dusty

Dusty is just home from an epic adventure in the Ozarks where he competed in an adventure race that covered 360 miles and took over 85 hours to complete. Not only did he jump into the race last minute to cover for someone, but his team also walked away with first place! It’s an incredible story. You can read all about it here.

Dusty competing at Expedition Ozark 2023

 

Eric

Eric has been spending his time bikepacking in Tasmania between Enduro World Cup races. He raced in Maydena and one week later in Derby, Tasmania where he placed 3rd.

Now he’s exploring New Zealand and staying with fellow bike packer Matt Fairbrother until May biking and checking out the terrain down south.

Read about Eric’s bikepacking setup in the latest article he wrote for Pinkbike.

Eric bikepacking between enduro races in Tasmania

 

Heather

Heather is just back from filming America Ninja Warrior in Los Angelos and is busy preparing for Ninja Worlds in North Carolina. She’s pumped because for the first time ever, the Regional Qualifying Comp for Worlds is right here in Bellingham at our very own Life Force Ninja!

Every Wednesday at 6 PM at Bloedel Donovan you’ll find Heather at the Wednesday Night Paddle Races along with another 40-60 local paddlers! If you’re looking for a fun and supportive crew to paddle with go check it out. Everyone is welcome.

She’s signed up for the Lake Whatcom Classic, and the Bellingham SwimRun, and is captaining a Whatcom County Women’s Ski to Sea team filled with super strong inspiring women all from Bellingham! She’s also looking forward to cheering on her kids as they put together their own teams for Junior Ski to Sea.

Heather and her super awesome all- women’s Ski to Sea team!

Jessica

From organizing a beer mile run for her friends to jumping in on the Doughnut Ride. Jessica never stops moving and playing!

Most recently you can find her organizing the Bellingham Triathlon Club’s Tuesday Night Time Trials out of Lake Padden Park. For road bikers and triathletes looking for a competitive and friendly group to train with this is just the ticket.

Jessica and the Tuesday Time Trials crew

 

Jo

This past couple of months found Jo competing at the Deception Pass Swing the Gates Scavenger Hunt. She had a blast completing it with her friends and felt especially proud of her friend Laura who had to conquer her fear of heights to walk across the Deception Pass Bridge – both ways!

She also had a blast at the Runnin’ O’ The Green race where she was able to run 3 miles for the first time without walking. After the race she kept the spirit going by joining our sponsor Prime Sports Institute and their ambulance “Gus” in the St. Paddy’s Day Parade.

Jo and her teammates at the Deception Pass Swing The Gates Scavenger Hung

 

Jonas

Jonas just finished competing at the US National Team Trials where he placed 1st in  MK1 1000m,  1st in MK1 500m, 1st in  MK1 200m, and 1st in MK2 500m. Incredible job Jonas!

He’s excited to be competing again this year in his all-time favorite local race Ski to Sea!

Jonas at the Peter Marcus Rough Water Race – photo credit Michael Lampi

 

Matt

Just over a year ago Matt was hit by a car while riding his bike. He’s been dedicated to his recovery and is looking forward to his first gravel race coming up on April 29th. It’s exciting to see Matt coming back so strong after being injured last year. We’re rooting for you Matt!

Among other things, Matt has also been busy helping Gravel Adventure Field Guides begin planning gravel routes to showcase Bellingham and for people to visit and ride. He also had a great time joining Prime Sports Institute for the St. Paddy’s Day Parade.

Travis

Travis is getting back into solid training following an Achilles injury from last year. He’s been riding with Ambassador Matt, and meeting up with Jessica and the Bellingham Triathlon Club crew for the Tuesday Night Time Trials.

He’s been working hard to grow his YouTube channel “TheDailyTri” where he creates videos centered around professional triathletes. You can check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@thedailytri

Travis has also been working with USAT to attend their Age Group National Championships in Milwaukee to cover the race and how people can participate.

 

To learn more about all of your Bellingham Athlete Ambassadors and to follow their social links head on over to our Ambassadors Page. They will be sure to continue to inspire and invite you to join them for the rest of 2023!