Padden Mudfest

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.

This year’s event marks the 21st 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.

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.