The Bellingham Fire Department's Ski to Sea team claimed first place in the Corporate Division at the 53rd annual Ski to Sea race, finishing 7th overall out of 500 competing teams. Five BFD firefighters placed in the top 10 in their individual race legs, a performance the department described as outstanding. The race concluded Sunday, May 25, with the finish line celebration at Marine Park in Fairhaven.
Ski to Sea is one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved community athletic events. The relay race spans roughly 85 miles through Whatcom County, beginning on the snowy upper slopes of Mount Baker and winding through forests, foothills, and finally the waters of Bellingham Bay before finishing at Marine Park in the Fairhaven neighborhood. Each team fields athletes across eight legs: cross-country ski, downhill ski, running, road biking, canoeing, cyclocross, and sea kayaking.
The Corporate Division features teams entered by local businesses, government agencies, and civic organizations. It is a competitive and well-watched category, and topping it while also finishing 7th overall against 500 teams -- including some of the region's most elite athletic squads -- is a significant achievement for any group of firefighters juggling shifts, training, and community service.
The BFD team's result follows a tradition of participation in Ski to Sea that reflects the fire department's deep roots in the Bellingham community. Firefighters who train at altitude and on varied terrain are well-positioned for a race that punishes specialists and rewards all-around fitness. The top-10 leg finishes from five individual athletes suggest the team's preparation was unusually thorough this year.
The Bellingham Fire Department serves a city of approximately 95,000 residents with stations across Bellingham's neighborhoods. In addition to emergency response, the department maintains a visible presence in community events -- from safety education to fundraising and, evidently, racing.
The 2026 Ski to Sea race drew 500 teams, making it one of the larger fields in the event's recent history. Full results for all divisions, including the Corporate Division standings, are available at the official Ski to Sea results page. The race is organized annually by the Bellingham Festival of Music and draws athletes and spectators from across Whatcom County and beyond.
Congratulations to all the BFD athletes who competed, and to the volunteers who helped make the 53rd Ski to Sea a success. The race is one of those distinctly Whatcom County events that reminds residents why this corner of the Pacific Northwest is worth celebrating.
