Since Fall 2018, Marc Blake, Founder of Pacific Multisports Network, and his team have helped with just over 200 race events. Marc created an all-encompassing platform for athletes and event coordinators that combines registration, timing services, race organizing, and a support system. “… we waitfor the last participant, and we cheer people on; it’s not necessarily our job to be cheerleaders, but we enjoy being there, and we will jump in wherever we are needed,” said Marc. He has been involved with sports since he was a young kid; now, as an adult, he has accumulated years of various race event experiences, which facilitates his ability to provide the needed services that make racing a positive experience. “If people feel good about the event, that energy permeates throughout the community, and you get people referring other people and just feeling good about the experience,” says Marc. Born in Guyana and raised in
Toronto, he has lived in Southern California since 1998 and moved to Bellingham in 2010. He immediately fell in love with the area’s race scene and got involved as quickly as possible. He summed up the region’s diverse training grounds: “We have the lake, the ocean, the mountains, all within a few miles.”
Photo by Diana Maria Leaman
One of his latest endeavors was to create the Bellingham Athlete Ambassador Program, partnering with Whatcom County Tourism. They made the program to encourage our athletes to represent the region positively as an excellent training ground and to promote the support of our local businesses by telling others about the beautiful scenery, biodiversity, and culture that this city offers. I got some insight from Justine Mallahan, Social Media Coordinator, and Eric Rainaud-Hinds, Sales and Special Projects Manager for Bellingham, Whatcom County Tourism. “The Bellingham Athlete Ambassador Program helps highlight the wide array of talented athletes that call Bellingham and Whatcom County home. We do have some amazing, world-class athletes training here for some of the world’s toughest events, including ultra marathons in Utah, Ironman 70.3 Worlds in Puerto Rico, and adventure races as far away as Spain and New Zealand. All these athletes train in our county’s backyard year-round proving that we have some of the best terrain to train on in the world,” said Eric. Justine added, “This community of athletes is so supportive of each other, and I’ve seen each one being incredibly welcoming to those who want to learn about their sport or try it out for themselves. All the
ambassadors also genuinely have a strong appreciation for where they get to live and train, and it’s hard not to get excited about this area when you listen to them talk about their experiences here.” This program creates a culture of enabling athletes and promoting health, well-being, and positivity. “The primary thing we are looking for is good people. We want people who are just good humans,” said Marc. If you’re into racing and love Bellingham, you can be an ambassador! In exchange, you will be receiving the tools you need for success. Marc added, “They, in return, are getting support in the registration fees; they are getting opportunities to promote themselves, to promote Bellingham, and it’s to share their passion for
both Bellingham and the outdoor racing community and to build Bellingham as a destination for outdoor events.” The ambassadors are responsible for representing the area appropriately. Eric said, “We hope they can effectively send the message that while we surely have some great areas to train, we also expect our local athletes, and those visiting from out of the area, to recreate responsibly.”
Photo by Diana Maria Leaman
The Pacific Multisports Network is more than a site to sign up for races. It is a network of like-minded individuals supporting one another and lifting each other to create a positive impact on our community, our city, and the world. “We like to think that everybody that is part of our network contributes to and benefits from it,” said Marc.
Like Marc said, I also believe “energy permeates.” Experiences ripple, reaching out into never-ending circles. Our physical life is finite; the point is to liveit to the fullest potential. For some, that means pushing their physical limits; for others, it’s the strength of their stamina. It is overcoming all odds, facing weaknesses, and trying to succeed. When we overcome our challenges, there is an opportunity for growth.
