By Patti Jo Brooks The Mountain Times
The race is on! The Huckleberry Running Festival is happening again this year in Welches, in Oregon’s beautiful scenic surroundings. Run among the fir trees through the Mount Hood National Forest with your friends, neighbors and even some out-of-staters. Drawing from a wide geographic area, last year’s group of approximately 400 runners, though primarily from the local Portland and Welches area, also included runners from across Oregon and about twenty other states. “I don’t know if we’ve officially gone international or not – we’re waiting for our first Canadian runner,” shares Mike Oslund, one of the race’s owners.
What sets this run apart from others is that it’s such a great location. “People really enjoy it up there,” Oslund points out. The Huckleberry Running Festival, also known as the Huckleberry Half, was founded around 2012 by Breanna Skinner. Several years later, it was acquired by Brady and Annie Mordhorst.
Oslund became aware of the Huckleberry Running Festival when Annie Mordhorst, at the time the owner and his co‑worker, asked if he could volunteer. He remembers thinking, “Man, this is a great little race. Fun time. Great scenery. Fantastic.” He contacted Annie the following year to get details, but she wasn’t going to continue the event.
Wanting to help keep the run going, Oslund and his business colleagues decided to acquire the race. “It’s great for the community,” they agreed. Although they acquired it in 2022 and couldn’t hold it that summer, the 2023 run was a huge success. Everyone is now looking ahead to Race Day 2025: Saturday, August 2.
A special highlight is the 1K Kids Sprint, starting at 10 a.m. after the other races. Doug Fur, Portland Trail Blazers mascot, led the young athletes (ages twelve and under) last year and will do so again. “Hopefully, we’re starting a new tradition with him,” says Oslund. “The kids’ race is just a lot of fun.”
Cheribundi, a natural tart cherry juice rich in antioxidants, will again be a major sponsor. “It’s a great sports recovery drink with great health benefits – a good fit for what we’re doing up there,” Oslund comments. Mt. Hood Coffee Roasters and Al Forno Ferruzza Pizza are also on board. “We want to make this event better, more community-centered,” he explains. “We’d like to get as many local folk involved as possible.”
Volunteers include Sandy High School cross-country athletes, led by Head Coach Dalen Kansala, as well as the Welches PTCO. “They were fantastic,” Oslund says. “We’re so grateful for their participation.”
Early registration and start times for the races (Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, 1K Kids Sprint) are available on the website: huckleberryrunfestival.com. Advanced registration is preferred: “We love for people to sign up — the earlier the better,” says Oslund. In-person sign-up is also available the morning of the race but earlier registration gives a better entrance fee.
Race start times:
Half Marathon: 8 a.m.
10K: 8:15 a.m.
5K: 8:30 a.m.
1K Kids Sprint: 10 a.m.
The races start and finish at Welches Middle School, 24903 E Salmon River Rd, in Welches.. Aid stations are set up along the route (map on the website). The Fire Station will be staffed, and traffic will be one‑lane only until 11:00 a.m., after which it returns to two‑lane flow.
Interested in participating, volunteering, tent setup, or sponsorship? Call Mike Oslund at (503) 805‑4332 or email info@huckleberryhalfmarathon.com. For more information and registration: huckleberryrunfestival.com.