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.

Finished! Updates:

Thank you all for an amazing Ultramarathon! The results are in:

Total Distance Run: 213.8 Miles.

Total Contributions for MultiCare Behavioral Health: $2,388.57 (and counting)!

Thank you to all our generous donors and everyone who have been a part of this journey!

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. This ultra was an experiment to push new limits in my own journey physically, mentally, and spiritually. I did not meet my original goal. I ran from Eastern Washington to the top of the Cascades, where I met my limit. I count this as a great success.

All those who respond and care for the wounds of others are running their own races, often that we cannot see. As I shared in the beginning, healthcare workers face unique challenges related to mental health as both providers and recipients. Everyone who has been a part of this journey brought light and support to these needs. Thank you!

At the beginning of my run, Chaplain Bill Strunk and the Chaplains of MultiCare’s Spiritual Care Team kindly sent me off a blessing (strung into my running shoes) that I am “Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” Thank you all for being a part of this cloud of witnesses who have run every step of the way with me. Your generosity, joy, and collaboration change lives. I am grateful for your company, and I hope whatever race you are in- that you keep running.

Thank you all and blessings,

Fraser

Rev. R. Fraser Reach, M.Div. APBCC, BCC, Staff Chaplain & Administrative Fellow

In the words of Viktor Frankl:

“We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matter is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one’s predicament into a human achievement. When we are no longer able to change a situation… we are challenged to change ourselves.”

-Man’s Search For Meaning

Special Words of Gratitude:

Mara- You crewed this whole race. I would never have made it to the starting line without you (or just about anywhere). Thank you and love.

The Isaacson & Milne Family

The Reach Family

MultiCare’s Spiritual Care Team

MultiCare’s Code Lavender Team

Allenmore Hospital’s Amazing Staff

Wellfound Behavioral Health

MultiCare Behavioral Health Foundation (Especially you @Danielle Jenkins!)

All of the kind Washingtonians and community who stopped to say hello, offer words of encouragement, and kindness along the way.

MultiCare Administrative Fellowship

Steve K. & the Vert.Run Team

The FKT Team

Washington State Parks & Teams

Each of You Incredible Donors, Especially:

Sue, Gerry, Lyn, Veda and Tomislav

Leandra and David

Genna

Rob and Anna Reach

Ian & Kristy McCarthy

Sandy Slaton Sue & Mike

Kris

Steve & Carol

Jim & Carol

Steve

Bill Strunk

Kira

HH

David and Torrey Sanbeck

Anonymous (All of you!)- You know who you are (or who have wished not to share your name). Thank you so much for all that you do and all that you are!

I am missing many here- there are too many kind people who have been a part of this to count. Thank you all. This was a communal effort and would not have happened without y’all!

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.