The Padden Mudfest is a trail run that takes place on the trails of Lake Padden Park in Bellingham, WA.  Ed and Kathleen Harri launched the race in 2003 as a 12k event held in early November during Fall rains.  Tjalling Ypma took the baton in 2008 as race director through 2019.  Over the years weather related site conditions reduced the course length.  In 2020 the 5k event was added to attract additional participants.  The Mudfest continued during the COVID years of 2020 and 2021 as virtual races became the norm in the running community.  

Mudfest “live” returned in 2022 and the 2025 event will mark the 23rd anniversary of the race!  The race is unique in offering an introduction to conditions usually encountered in ultra-marathons, but on a smaller and much more manageable scale.  Expect narrow winding trails, steep ups and downs, rocks and roots and, all being well, lots of sloppy and slippery mud courtesy of the Mudfest Monster.  

Both courses follow the upper trails known as the horse trails above the lake, though both finish with a flat lakefront run along the exposed and scenic shores of Lake Padden.  The 5k course is essentially the second half of the 10k course.  Both courses are challenging but the 5k is doable even for relatively young and less experienced runners.  However it’s suggested young runners do a pre-race run on the 5k course.  Maps and more course description follow below.

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Footwear note: Trail shoes or running shoes with an aggressive tread and good lacing are highly recommended.  Due to the rocky and rooty nature of parts of the course, spikes are not recommended.

Our local timing gurus Pacific Multisport will provide chip timing for both races.

Both races begin at 10:00 am adjacent to the Picnic Shelter near the playground and basketball courts at the eastern (golf course) end of Lake Padden.  Water will be provided on the course at 2 locations: 5k @ 1.8 mile mark and 10k @ 3.1 and 4.5 mile marks.

The 5k course begins with a very cheeky, steep climb up to the ridge that forms the southern edge of the lake basin.  It then goes along the ridge, with some potentially very muddy stretches. After a few ups and downs there is a steep descent to the lakeshore at the point where the creek exits the lake.  There will also be an aid station at this point.  A brief excursion down the gorge leads to a short rise into the woods behind the western end of the lake, from where the course emerges onto the lakeside and heads to the finish.

The 10k course begins with a 5k loop over the hill behind the golf course.  This first loop begins with an only moderately steep but very long and sustained climb to the high point of the race, followed by a long and winding descent with some quite steep and potentially very muddy and slippery parts, especially near the end of the first 5k.  There will be an aid station at the 5k mark, where the 10k course joins the 5k course

1ok course change: As the old course was a ½ mile short of 6.2 miles, a .25 mile out and back leg on the trail spur that leads to the new Galbraith parking area has been added.  A course monitor will be stationed at the turn off with a U-turn sign posted at the turnaround point.

• GBRC members: $10.00 for 5k or 10k
• GBRC members 10 and under: Free for 5k or 10k
• Non-members: $25 for 5k, $30 for 10k
• Non-members 10 and under: $10 for 5k or 10k
• Day-of registration (if available): +$5.00 to above fees (cash or check only)
• GBRC membership fees range from $45/year (individual) to $70/year (family).  Reduced rates are available for Youth (18 and under), College Student and  Athletes with Disabilities (AWD) as well as Couples and Senior rates.  If you wish to become a GBRC member and enjoy free or reduced race entry fees into all GBRC races, please join the club at: GBRC.net.

Note: GBRC is unable to refund registration fees if you are unable to attend the race.  GBRC is unable to refund registration fees if the race is cancelled due to weather, road or air conditions, or other unforeseen situations.  GBRC is a 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT organization run by volunteers.

Online registration for the March 1, 2026 race will open December 1, 2025.

Race chips and bib numbers will be picked up at the Lake Padden Picnic Shelter the day of the event beginning at 8:30 AM for the 10:00 AM start.  There is NO early packet pick up prior to race day.

In order to keep our race safe and enjoyable for all participants, we have a few safety requests:

• Feel free to listen to anything you please through ONE ear bud during the race, allowing the other ear to hear other runners, traffic, and race information.
• Baby joggers are not allowed on the race course.
• NO dogs allowed on the course.
• This is a zero waste event, if it cannot be easily composted, please take it home with you.
• Please be courteous to all other trail users, fellow runners and race volunteers.
• Lastly, have fun! 

Race medals and prizes will be awarded to the 1st place finisher overall in both the 5k and 10k for each of the three divisions: female, male and non-binary.  Unlike some races where race medals can be purchased, the Mudfest medal must be earned!  Medals will also be awarded to the youngest and eldest overall finishers from the three divisions (female/male/non-binary) in the 5k or 10k.  Prizes will be awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place finishers overall in the 5k and 10k (female/male/non-binary).

Placement ribbons will be given to the top 3 finishers for each of the three divisions in both the 5k and 10k for each of the following age groups: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89 and 90+.

Sustainability Prizes: Thinking about carpooling, biking (making it a duathlon day) or even taking the bus to the race?  There will be prizes for the largest carpool group as well as the furthest bike and bus commutes.  WTA’s Route 533 arrives/departs every hour at :25 after the hour at the Samish Way/E. Lake Padden stop.  Please refer to Whatcom Transportation Authority’s website www.ridewta.com for additional info.

After the race, yummy refreshments including hot soup and bread will be available.  The race shelter is covered but not enclosed.  If the weather forecast is cold and/or wet, it’s suggested participants bring extra dry clothing.  A bag drop area will be provided but please, NO valuables!  GBRC apparel will also be available for purchase on race day.

• Please carpool or use public transportation or go by bike to get to the race if possible.  See Awards section for more info.
• Parking is available in the lot above the registration area, along the access road in designated areas, at the boat ramp parking area (1/4 mile from the start) and at the swim area (1 mile from the start).
• Do not park in either the gravel or the paved parking lots adjacent to the dog park – these are reserved for dog owners and other park users.

From I-5 Northbound (from Seattle): Take the N. Lake Samish Exit 246 and turn left (north) at the stop sign.  Drive approximately 2.5 miles to the East Lake Padden entrance. Turn left and follow the road and GBRC signs to the playground area.

From I-5 Southbound: Take the Samish Way Exit 252 and turn left to cross over I-5 at the light.  Turn right at the next light onto Samish Way.  Follow the road for 2.5 miles until the East Lake Padden sign (it will be the second sign for Lake Padden).  Turn right and follow the road and GBRC signs to the playground area.

The new male 10k record is notable in that the winning time was 5+ minutes quicker than the 2024 record holder!  Records set in 2025 are noted in bold.

Overall fastest times:

• 5k female – Alma McMurtry – 23:10/7:29 mile pace (2020)
• 5k male – Brooks DeWaard – 20:15/6:31 (2023)
• 10k female – Deborah Eckhouse – 50:28/8:07 (2024)
  (previously Aili Emory – 52.19/8:26 – 2020)
• 10k male –  Benjii Eudeline – 44:35/7:10
  (previously Rowan Dickerson – 49:40/7:59 – 2024)
• 5k nonbinary – Jack Wilson – 44:48/14:25 (2024)
• 10k nonbinary – Kata Gombocz – 58:41/9:26 (2024)

Age group 10 & under (youngest finishers):

• 5k female – Kemmer Speyer 32:46/10:32 (2023)
• 5k male – Fredrik Kristiansen – 26:41/8:35 (2023)

Age group 70 – 79 (wisest finishers): 

• 5k female – Susan Bennerstrom 35:41/11:29 (2023)
• 5k male – Terry Hileman – 29:56/9:40 (2022)

* The 10k course was first changed in 2020 when the addition of a 5k race necessitated a new 10k course layout.  In 2024 4/10th mile was added to the 10k to get it close to 6.2 miles.  Of note is that the women’s record time is quicker than all previous times!  The pre-2024 men’s record holder remains David Larpenteur – 40:02/6:28 – 2022.

BBay Running and GBRC have joined together to start a program for runners to recycle their old running shoes. So bring all your old running shoes with you to the Padden Mudfest and we will take them off your hands and keep them out of our landfills. For more info on this program go to shoe recycling & reuse at bbayrunning.com.

Larry Kwiatkowski, Race Director
Email: larry.kwiatkowski@gbrc.net

Terry Hileman, Co-Race Director
Email: tshileman1@cs.com

Want to Volunteer?  Please contact Megan Moerke, GBRC Volunteer Coordinator
Email: megan.moerke@gbrc.net