Two ladies pose before the start of the 2nd Annual Hop Hop 5k in Portland, Ore.
You may have read Robin’s preview of the 2015 Hop Hop Half back in February, but it is a good time for a reminder. Easter is one of those holidays that always sneaks up on me, due to it’s changing dates, so I’m always happy to have a reminder. This year’s event is rapidly approachingon Saturday, April 4th and there are only minimal spots left!!
Ann recapped the 2014 event, and here are some of her quotes:
Commemorative champagne flutes for all race finishers.
Despite the weather later on in the course, the chip-timed Hop Hop Half was one of the most well-organized and pleasant small races that I have attended in the last year. The host, Foot Traffic, saw to every last detail, from start to finish.
At the beginning of the morning, there was an early start for the 5k racers at 7:30 AM, a two-wave start for half marathoners at 8:15 AM, and two egg decorating stations for children or racers to entertain themselves while waiting for their race to begin (awards to best decorated eggs followed after the race). On a less attractive but extremely practical note, there was plentiful parking and– I counted– no less than thirty-three porta potties, meaning that the lines were pretty reasonable and the toilets didn’t suffer the usual race dilemma of being vomit-inducing due to overuse.
An egg decorating station for the kids (or adults)– prizes were awarded after the race for the best decorated eggs.
If you’re more of the shopping type, and by shopping I mean race and race food shopping, there were also eight booths hosted before and after the races where local races enticed you with discounted prices and views of last year’s beautiful medals.
One of my favorite things about the race– other than the incredible preparation and attention to detail by Foot Traffic– was the overall spirited nature of all the runners who came out to race. Thanks in part to some free rabbit ear giveaways at packet pickup, I appeared to be one of the only racers who lacked some portion of an Easter-themed costume. I saw bunny ears, bunny glasses with whiskers, puffy cotton tails (one creative racer even subbed in a white loofah in lieu of a pom pom), and a variety of brightly colored race gear.
The ADORABLE Finisher’s Medal and race bib from the 2014 Hop Hop Half Marathon.
After the race, all finishers received a fantastic egg/carrot/rabbit themed medal on the traditional Foot Traffic satin ribbon (if you’ve done a FT race before, like the killer Foot Traffic Flat, you’ve seen this ribbon).
All in all, despite the rain and wind, this was an excellent comeback race that I will likely return to every year because it is flat, festive, close-in, affordable, and so well-organized. See you next year, racers!
So there you have it! If you haven’t registered yet – get on it now!!
