Whatcom County Public Works is inviting residents to lace up their sneakers and join the 14th Annual Run with the Chums 5K Fun Run on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The event is free for participants of all ages and all speeds, making it one of the more inclusive community outdoor events on the fall calendar in Whatcom County.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m., giving families and solo runners time to get settled before the festivities begin. Younger racers get their own moment in the spotlight first: the Smolt Sprint, designed for children under age 10, kicks off at 9:30 a.m. The main 5K event follows at 10 a.m. Registration is open now at the official sign-up page at bit.ly/RWTC26-Reg.
What Is Run with the Chums?
The name "Run with the Chums" is a nod to chum salmon, one of the Pacific salmon species that returns to Whatcom County waterways each fall. The event has been a community staple for 14 years, organized through Whatcom County Public Works, which manages the county's stormwater and environmental programs. The salmon theme connects the fun run to the county's broader work on watershed health and stormwater management, reminding participants of the connection between healthy communities and healthy waterways.
Chum salmon, known scientifically as Oncorhynchus keta, are one of the more abundant Pacific salmon species and play a critical ecological role in Northwest Washington streams and rivers. The Nooksack River watershed, which drains much of Whatcom County, supports runs of chum, Chinook, coho, and other salmon species. County stormwater programs directly affect the health of these runs by reducing pollutants that wash from roads and parking lots into local streams.
The event has grown from a small community gathering into one of the most recognizable free family fitness events in the county, drawing participants from Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, and surrounding communities each fall.
Who Should Come and What to Expect
Organizers emphasize that the event truly welcomes people of all speeds. Whether you are a seasoned runner chasing a personal record or someone who plans to walk the entire 5K while chatting with neighbors, the Run with the Chums is structured to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone. No competitive pressure, no entry fee, and a dedicated race just for the youngest participants make this an easy yes for families with small children.
The Smolt Sprint for under-10 runners is a shorter course designed so little legs can experience the excitement of a race without the full 3.1-mile distance. The name continues the salmon theme: a smolt is a juvenile salmon that has recently undergone the physiological changes needed to survive in saltwater, making it ready to head downstream toward the ocean. Both the sprint and the 5K take place in the morning, so the whole family can participate and still have plenty of Saturday left.
Parents looking for a way to introduce kids to running events, or adults hoping to find a low-key way to get some exercise in a community setting, will find this event a good fit. The free entry removes a common barrier to participation, and the early-morning timing keeps things comfortable before temperatures rise.
How to Register and Plan Your Morning
Registration is free and available online. Signing up in advance helps organizers plan for the right number of participants and ensures you receive any event-day communications about logistics, parking, or route details. The registration link is bit.ly/RWTC26-Reg.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. on September 12, so plan to arrive with a few minutes to spare before the Smolt Sprint begins at 9:30. Comfortable running or walking shoes, weather-appropriate layers, and a water bottle are recommended. September mornings in Whatcom County can start cool before warming up, so dressing in layers is a good strategy.
For families thinking ahead, September 12 falls on a Saturday, making it easy to build the morning around the race without conflicting with school or work schedules. The event is a good way to ease into fall after the summer break, particularly for families whose kids are just getting back into the rhythm of the school year at Bellingham Public Schools or other Whatcom County districts.
The Bigger Picture: Salmon and Whatcom County Waterways
Beyond the fun run itself, the annual event serves as a reminder of the health of local watersheds. Whatcom County Public Works manages stormwater systems across unincorporated areas of the county, working to reduce the pollution that runs off roads, driveways, and development sites into streams and eventually into the Nooksack River and Bellingham Bay. Healthy stormwater management is one piece of the broader effort to support salmon populations throughout the region.
Researchers and conservationists have documented significant declines in salmon populations across the Salish Sea region over recent decades. The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and state and federal agencies have worked for years on habitat restoration projects throughout the watershed. Events like Run with the Chums help connect everyday residents to these conservation themes in a tangible, accessible way.
Whether you come for the fish facts or just want a free Saturday morning outing with your family, the 14th Annual Run with the Chums 5K is worth putting on your September calendar. Register at bit.ly/RWTC26-Reg and show up at 8:30 a.m. on September 12 ready to run, walk, or cheer on the smolts.
