Communications group airs it out to help Ski to Sea on race day

Mark Challender has for two decades served as an enthusiastic and significant supporter of Ski to Sea, even though he spends race day at home on the south side of Bellingham.

Challender, 59, is president of Whatcom Emergency Communications Group. He has found his niche in monitoring radio communications from volunteers, along with life partner Ruby Haner, on three legs of the rugged race — downhill running, road biking and canoeing on the Nooksack River — where cell phone service is often non-existent.