One Hospital Chaplain's Slightly Unhinged 300 Mile Ultramarathon & FKT Attempt in the PNW

Wherever you are in your journey of healing (physical, social, communal, behavioral, and/or spiritual) you are welcome in this place. This page speaks about hard things- like trauma, suicide, and behavioral health. If you are in need of support, please call 988 or go to your nearest Emergency Room.

What is this?

My name is Fraser and I am a Hospital Chaplain and Administrative Fellow who is running a DIY 300 Mile FKT (Fastest Known Time) attempting to cross much of the Palouse to Cascades Trail ending at the waters of Puget Sound. This Ultra seeks to support the healing of those in need in of Behavioral Health Care in the Pacific Northwest.

Why am I running this?

I love the PNW. This is my home. While there are many great ultras out there, including 200+ mile efforts, I wanted a simpler adventure. This is how I am spending a few days of PTO.

Who is Fraser?

I have been a chaplain in hospitals around Washington State since the COVID-19 Pandemic. I have spent a lot of time in the company of pain, loss, and trauma. Running is part of how I have been able to continue in my vocation. My body can keep the score and let go of what it needs to let go. It is a bio-psycho-social-spiritual pursuit.

Not all of my peers have been so lucky. I have lost friends, colleagues, peers, and spiritual leaders to suicide. It is an ongoing epidemic and crisis. We lose a human being to suicide about once every 11 minutes and counting in the United States. Healthcare workers are at a higher risk for suicide than much of our community. We have access to knowledge, medications, work odd hours, and are exposed to (often seeking to run towards and care for) traumatic events. These deaths need to stop. They are treatable and preventable.

This page is about telling a story of running 300 miles through the Cascades, desert, and Sound. If you are moved to support those in need- please do so. If you wish to join the journey, please do. Thank you for being here.

What is a chaplain?

At MultiCare, Chaplains are part of the Care Team and comprise the Spiritual Care Department. We are here for the emotional and spiritual support for all who need in our locations. We are here for all faiths and no faith (chaplains are here to support you in your journey, we do not evangelize our own).

Why should you care about this?

Short answer: You do not need to care about this. If this is not your thing- please go spend your time somewhere you feel called to.

Long answer: This is one cleric running hundreds of miles supported friends and family in a pickup truck at varying times. This is an unorthodox way for a healthcare chaplain to spend his vacation and seek to transform some of his experiences by running. It is not glamorous. It is run on gels, dirt, prayers, and gummy worms.

If this is your slightly unhinged version of joy- welcome! I am glad you are here. Please chime in, share, comment, contribute, reach out, and come along on this wild ultramarathon. This work supports the MultiCare Behavioral Health Foundation- which saves lives in our community.

Thank you and blessings,

Fraser

The Rev. R. Fraser Reach M.Div. APBCC, BCC is a Hospital Chaplain and Administrative Fellow based in Puget Sound, Washington.