Get ready for some “Run Fun” with relays, sprints and the inaugural Gale Pfueller Mile on the track at Civic Stadium!  It’s time to “Run around the Oval”!

If you spot an error in the results, please contact Larry Kwiatkowski at larry.kwiatkowski@gbrc.net!

The Gale Pfueller Track Classic will be GBRC’s first race on the track at Bellingham’s Civic Stadium!  This race is in honor of Gale Pfueller, a founding member of GBRC. Gale served as board member and treasurer when the board first formed in 1976 until he passed at the age of 79 on March 25, 2022.  He was a genuine treasure to this community!  His encouragement to runners of all abilities and ages has inspired us to create an event that he would love in his honor.  Gale was a Bellingham High School and WWU hurdles record holder, local racer, master’s steeplechase and cross country champ and a big supporter of local high school and WWU track and cross country.  The Gale Pfueller Mile will be the featured event with the goal of having a minimum of 3 heat races – Middle School, High School and Open mile.  

Sign up for as many events as you want! Maybe you’re not familiar with track and didn’t know one lap = 400 meters? That’s okay, come run your first lap!

• Kids events (10 and under, free): 100 meter, 400 meter
• Relay – Family/Friends/Fun 4×400 meter – teams of 4*, each runner runs one lap (400 meters)
• 400 meter 
• Gale Pfueller Mile
• Relay – 4×400 meter – teams of 4*, each runner runs 400 meters

            * 2 or 3 person teams are welcome if runners want to run multiple legs.

Depending on the number of participants, races may be a single race or “heat” or may have multiple heats with runners assigned a heat based on their estimated finish or “seed” time.  Seed times are important because they help us assign you to a heat where you will be running with others of similar speed.  You can estimate a seed time by doing some practice runs and timing yourself. If you’re a GBRC member, come to one of the GRBC Wednesday Track Workouts and Coach Craig will help get you a seed time!  Or, if you simply don’t care who you’re running with, forget you even read this and just come run!

For the 400m, Gale Pfueller Mile and 4x400m, if there are enough participants we hope to run multiple heats.  All events will be timed and results available onsite and posted online.  

Start times are estimated and subject to change depending on the number of participants.  A final event schedule will be sent to all participants Friday, June 20th and will also be posted on race day.

• 8:30 – 9:45am – Bib pickup (closes at 10:00)
• 10am – Kids events (10 and under)
  • 100 meter
  • 400 meter
• 10:15am – 4x400m relay – teams of 4*
  Make this a family and friend event, all ages and abilities are welcome!
• 10:30am – 400 meter – seeded event, ages 11 and up
  Possibly several heats depending on how many participants sign up.
• 10:45am – Gale Pfueller Mile – seeded event, ages 11 and up
  Possibly several heats depending on how many participants sign up.
• 11:30pm – 4x400m – seeded event, teams of 4*, ages 11 and up
  Possibly several heats depending on how many participants sign up.

          * 2 or 3 person teams are welcome if runners want to run multiple legs.

Sign up for multiple events for one fee! 

• GBRC members’ $10 pre-race / $15 Day of Race (if available) 
• Non-GBRC members $30 / $35  Day of Race (if available)
• Kids events (10 and under) Free for GBRC members and non-members, pre-registration is required!
  

Please note: For relays (4x800m and 4x400m), one fee covers all 4 participants.  The individual that signs the team up for a relay may also use that entry fee for other meet events.  If relay participants (other than the individual who signed the team up) wish to run in other events, they must sign themselves up for individual events and pay additional entry fees. 

GBRC membership fees range from $45/year (individual) to $70/year (family).  Reduced rates are available for Youth (18 and under), College Students and Athletes with Disabilities (AWD) as well as for Couples and Senior.  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 or if the race is cancelled due to air quality conditions, or other unforeseen situations.  GBRC is a 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT organization run by volunteers.

Registration is open!!!  Thanks for everyone’s patience and note, the event will be limited to 300 participants!

When registering for the 400m, Gale Pfueller Mile and 4x400m relay which are all seeded events, you will be asked to enter a “seed” time (explained above under Events heading).  If you do not know or care about seed times, simply enter “none”.

When registering for the 4x400m relays, you will be asked to enter names of all teammates.  In addition, because they will not be signing the online waiver, all teammates will be required to sign a paper waiver on race day.  If you want to help us and expedite your race day check-in, please print the waiver form and have each teammate print name, sign and add date at the bottom and bring on race day.

Pre-registration closes June 20th at 11:59 pm.  If you want to run FAST, pre-registration is strongly encouraged to be seeded in appropriate heats!  Day of race registration may be available if registration is not full.

Bib pickup begins at 8:30 am at the registration table and must be picked up by 9:45.  Announcements will be made over the PA system prior to each event.

Consider a donation to the Gale Pfueller Memorial Fund for the WWU Track/Cross Country program.  Near and dear to Gale‘s heart was the WWU Track/Cross Country program.  Gale’s time competing on the WWU Track Team made such a positive impact on him as a young person.  He went on to be a lifelong supporter and big fan of the team.  A memorial fund for WWU Track/XC was set up in Gale’s name to help support the many student athletes in this program facing limited resources.  Gale’s family will match the total donation (up to $1,000) from this campaign.

Gale Pfueller Track Classic shirts, as shown below, are available for preorder with registration and can be picked up day of race.

• Unisex tri-blend short sleeve $20.00
• Ladies tri-blend tank top $20.00

Deadline to order shirts is June 8th at 11:59pm!

Concessions including morning coffee/donuts and more, provided by the Bellingham Lions Club, will be available for purchase.

• 4x400m team race results will be posted onsite and online. No award categories.
• 400m and Gale Pfueller Mile – Awards to overall top 3 Female, Male, Non-binary and AWD* + 1st place 50 years and older F, M, NB and AWD.

No age group prizes awarded but results will be listed as follows: Female, Male, Non-binary and AWD*: 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, 90 and over.

• 4x400m – Awards to the first place team in the following categories: Female, Male, Non-binary and AWD*.

There will be no official award ceremony, but winners will be announced and all awards are to be picked up at the awards table after each race.

* AWD or athletes with disability is a new division this year inspired by a local organization, The AIROW Project.  Their mission is to create adaptive and inclusive recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities.  Learn more about another one of Bellingham’s homegrown groups that are furthering community inclusivity at The AIROW Project.

All events will be timed and results will be posted onsite and online.

With this being the 1st annual Gale Pfueller Track Classic, every race winner will go into the record book and their record will stand until next year!