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BPS middle schools unite at Sasquatch Run to kick off a spring season of cross country running

Students race across the field just after the start of the Sasquatch Run at Lake Padden Park
A large, hairy creature with a monstrous face and clawed hands stands in a lush, green outdoor setting, surrounded by a wooden fence.
A group of young people are running on a grassy field surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A group of people, wearing various colorful athletic attire, are gathered on a grassy field surrounded by lush, verdant trees and a mountainous backdrop.
A person in a white shirt and blue shorts is running along a gravel path surrounded by lush green grass and trees in the background.
A young woman in athletic clothing is running on a gravel path surrounded by lush green grass and trees in the background.
A person wearing a gray shirt and a blue cap stands in the foreground, with a group of people visible in the background against a backdrop of lush greenery.
Two students race toward the finish on a grassy field surrounded by trees in a park-like setting.
Three people are running on a gravel path surrounded by lush, green vegetation and trees.
Two students are jogging on a gravel path surrounded by lush, green vegetation and a wooden fence.
A group of young people, likely teenagers, sitting on a bench in a grassy, wooded area, engaged in conversation and relaxation.
Two young boys, one wearing a red shirt and the other a black shirt, are standing on a path in a lush, green outdoor setting with trees and foliage in the background.
A group of young people, including a person wearing a gray sweatshirt, are gathered in a grassy outdoor setting with a playground in the background.
The image shows a group of young people running on a gravel path surrounded by lush, green vegetation.
A person's hand is holding a small wooden object with a carved human figure, set against a blurred green background.
A young woman in a purple jacket stands facing a large, furry creature with reddish-brown fur in a grassy, wooded setting.
A young woman with long braided hair is smiling and holding a token in a lush, green outdoor setting with a backpack visible in the background.
Two people, one wearing a furry costume and the other in casual attire, stand in a grassy field with other people visible in the background.
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BPS middle schools unite at Sasquatch Run to kick off a spring season of cross country running

Sasquatch Run photo album

Close to 300 middle school cross country runners from Fairhaven, Kulshan, Shuksan and Whatcom middle schools convened at Lake Padden Park to begin the spring season with the second annual Sasquatch Run on Wednesday, April 22. 

For a good number of students, the event provides a chance to run at scenic Lake Padden Park for the first time. For some, it is the first cross country event they experience other than a practice. For all, it marks a non-competitive warmup to the slate of races upcoming in May.   

BPS director of activities and athletics, James Hayes, introduced the event along with Fairhaven cross country head coach, Mike Finley. Students then took off for a lap around Lake Padden, and upon returning were able to enjoy popsicles and time with friends.  

Another optional post-run activity, and the event’s namesake, was to find the sasquatch hidden in Lake Padden Park and receive a special Sasquatch Run token for their efforts.  

A cross country coach, dressed in a full sasquatch costume, hid in the park before the race began. After finishing the run, students were provided the general direction in the park to look for the sasquatch. The sasquatch quickly became a popular form of entertainment and interaction for students. 

"Lake Padden is a perfect backdrop," Hayes said. "It is great to see so many kids being active, connecting with each other, and just enjoying the moment in a fun, non-competitive environment. Events like this remind us that movement, laughter, and community matter more than any finish time.”

Middle school cross country is one of four sports currently in season within Bellingham Public Schools along with girls basketball, football and unified soccer. 

Visit the middle school activities and athletics web page to find a full list of offerings throughout the year, along with schedules and other information. These opportunities for students are made financially possible thanks to community support of voter-approved operations levies. 

  • Fairhaven Middle School
  • Home Gallery
  • Kulshan Middle School
  • Shuksan Middle School
  • Students and Families in Action
  • Whatcom Middle School