History | Whale Run and Walk

History of the Whale Run

Neither wind nor rain or blasts of cold have stayed participants from racing in the Whale Run & Walk over its 36 year history. Only the pandemic caused a temporary pause. Compare the start of the Whale Run & Walk in 1984 with 25 participants, a handful of sponsors, $100 raised—to the 2018 race with 795 participants, 55 sponsors, $25,000 raised.

Last year in 2024 our run sponsors donated even more, so that on our first year back, with just over 700 participants, both Soroptimist clubs netted over $15,000 each to use for scholarships and donations.

Yes, we’ve come a long way!

Whale Run & Walk proceeds have always been returned to the community through high school scholarships and awards to female heads of households to further their education. Soroptimist International of Fort Bragg supports many non-profit organizations and projects on the Mendocino Coast.

36 years ago in 1988, the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) nonprofit staged a race in the middle of Fort Bragg, down Franklin Street. Registration for the race was held at the Lutheran Hall in Fort Bragg.In 1990 Soroptimists International of Fort Bragg (SIFB) teamed up with BBBS to sponsor the race with a Fun Walk and 5K Run with as many folks as they could muster to race up and down in front of the stores on Franklin Street.

By 1993, solely sponsored by the SIFB, the race moved to the Haul Road with a few small booths of local businesses hawking their wares in the parking lot. The Haul Road deterioration in 2004-2005 brought us back to the Point Cabrillo Light Station, a gorgeous, but challenging, not easily found, venue. The initial run/walk uphill to reach the main course, pleased few of the racers. But it was a magnificent day (in June that year) and participants were treated to jumping dolphins and spouting whales under a sweet blue sky once they ended up at the Light Station.

Location change was in the air after the 2nd year (in March) when blistering rains soaked and gale winds mightily pushed around racers on the main road after fighting with the wind running up hill to reach the main course. Organizers also lost most of their tents to gusts, which also leveled tables at the registration area near the Light Station.

2000 was the first year the race was timed, offering actual results and medals, beautifully designed and created by Melissa Berman of Thompson’s PortaSeptic, a design still in use today.

2006 brought us back to Fort Bragg with registration at College of the Redwoods. Racers traveled by Todds Point crossing the Noyo Bridge, through the Pomo Reservation to the newly vacated Georgia Pacific Mill grounds, it being the 1st time the community was allowed to view those choice parts of the coastline.

In 2008 the Whale Run was moved back to March, but the Haul Road west of Lake Cleone began to crumble. That year the waves were so high there were fears racers might get swept out to sea. To meet that challenge the start was moved to the Skunk Train parking lot.

In 2012, a whale tail and head beautifully created by Edith Goble at the Start/Finish line were replaced by electronic counters from Capital Road Race Management. Paper registrations were replaced by on-line registration through RunSignup.com, and in 2024 a new company--Synergy Race management--took over the timing.

In 2013, SIFB said goodbye to past race managers, Joyce Gilbertson, Linda Dutcher, and finally to Joanne Frazer. Now it's a two club event, with members of SI Noyo Sunrise sharing the work and the fun.

SIFB still makes beautiful winner baskets full of donations from generous local businesses, and we still enjoy our historic pictures taken by Coast photographers, who have graciously volunteered their ample talent over the years including: Keith Wyner, Lynn Prunty, Jerry Murphy, Lynne Weinerman Calder, KC Robinson, Roy Kornmeyer and Ron Bloomquist to name a few.

Steve Weingarten and Vicky Watts from KOZT have been among the announcers before others took on the task of announcing the racer times and entertaining the crowds at the finish line.

The yearly Whale Run has become a favorite for locals and people from afar to have family reunions and catch a glimpse of the migrating grey whales. One year eleven states were represented and even brought in a few racers from other countries to play in Fort Bragg and run in the race.

The NEW course on the Noyo Headlands Coastal Trail provides ocean views the entire course for both the runners and walkers.

Starting on the Noyo Headlands, runners pass Soldier Point to the Coastal Trail where all 5K-ers will turn around.

The 10K and half marathon runners dash by Glass Beach to cross the beautiful Pudding Creek Trestle to their turn-arounds.

It would be hard NOT to see whales on the Mendocino Coast in March, rain or shine. Usually we see greys, but sometimes humpbacks and other whales and all sorts of marine animals come near shore to spectate the race! Best access to tidepooling is MacKerricher State Pk.