There’s nothing wrong with wanting to don holiday gear and go run 3.1 miles for Ho-Ho’s and Sno-Balls, right? Right! Hosted by X-Dog Events, the Ho Ho 5k is also a drive for the Union Gospel Mission (collecting canned food, jackets, and blankets) and the Oregon Humane Society (dog and cat food). Any person making a donation will receive $5 off their entry or an event shirt. Billed as “a festive time,” The Ho Ho…
When I arrived at the Ho Ho 5K, I immediately realized I was not dressed appropriately Christmas-like! I had donned my somewhat festive tights, but my running wardrobe is decidedly lacking in red and green. I felt strangely out of place in my salmon-colored top as I was surrounded by Santa suits, ugly Christmas sweaters, Grinch onesies, and a plethora of Christmas pajama pants. It is the first time I’ve ever been at a race…
Santa Claus is known for greeting naughty and nice children alike with three hearty “Ho”s, so why is one of the Portland area’s best Christmas themed races called the “Ho Ho Run”, with only two “Ho”s? Because Kevin Foreman, the quirky genius behind X-Dog Events built this 5k event around the classic Hostess chocolate covered and spiraled creme filled HoHos sponge cakes! A bounty of HoHos (and Sno-Balls, another seasonally appropriate Hostess staple) will fill…
There are hundreds of races in Oregon and SW Washington – literally – and there are many that we love. The list below is just a sampling of some of the races nearest and dearest to the hearts of Run Oregon bloggers. January: White River Snowshoe Race (1/14) This race is super unique, an 8k and 4k snowshoe ONLY event on the east side of Mt. Hood. It looks beautiful, amazing, and challenging – all rolled…
There are some running events where you know you’ll have an excellent time, but the weather is the big wild card. This year was my third time running X-dog Events’ Ho Ho 5k in Tigard’s beautiful Cook Park, and the conditions were as perfect as you can wish for in early December. It wasn’t raining and the temperature hovered around 43* for the nearly 300 participants in this year’s event. When I got to the…
During the winter months in Oregon, there are fewer races to choose from than in the summer, but the ones that keep their spot on the calendar for many years are the fun and well executed events, such as X-Dog Events’ Ho Ho 5k in Tigard. I have participated in this event several times, and whether it was 20*F or pouring rain, I had a great time. The race starts and ends in Cook Park…
With a December race, you never know what kind of weather you’re going to get. This is true year-round, of course, but the winter months have a special kind of unpleasant weather in store for you. Three years ago when I ran the HoHo 5k in Tigard, it was 20*F or colder; this year it was going to be very rainy! I heard the rain pelting against the windows as I was getting ready, but…
X-Dog Events is know for its off-road and cross country style races. The Ho Ho 5k, however, is run in Tigard’s Cook Park (just behind Tigard High School) on December 4th, and the running surface is mostly paved and woodchip trails throughout the park. Registration and the start/finish is located at picnic shelter 2, so no matter the weather, there’ll be some cover. Festive costumes are encouraged, but of course not required.
X-Dog Events’ annual Ho Ho Run has become a welcome holiday season fixture on the race calendar. Often chilly and wet, this year’s edition of the festive 5K was blessed with pleasantly mild and dry weather, with only the occasional cloud to remind participants of the early December date. Registration and check-in was quick and efficient at several tables under cover at a picnic area in Tigard’s Cook Park. Entry forms, pens, and clipboards were…
When you think of the Ho Ho 5K, it wouldn’t be surprising if HoHo’s come to mind. After all, when Hostess declared bankruptcy back in 2012, the burning question for this race was, what would take the place of HoHo’s, and would the race have to be renamed in the future? As we know, however, private investors bought the rights to various Hostess brands and brought back Twinkies, HoHo’s, and other tasty treats. All of which is…
