ORRC Ralph's Run

We honor Ralph by using a whimsical distance, as he started this event as the "8.6 in '86." We honor Ralph by including a 10K, 5K and kid's run, so anyone, regardless of their age and ability, can run or walk this event. We honor Ralph's memory by celebrating community. Volunteers from the Forest Grove UCC make the pancakes. Proceeds from this event go the FGUCC community fund, which includes providing shelter for the houseless in the wintertime. Students from nearby high schools volunteer on the course. The logo honors Ralph's connection to the railroad. The logo includes forget-me-nots because he struggled with dementia, and because he will always be remembered.

The event features a 20.25K run, a 10K run/walk, a 5K run/walk, and a free kid's run at Tom McCall Upper Elementary School (1341 Pacific Ave) in Forest Grove. All events (except the kid's run) start at 9am and the course closes at noon.  (There is an 8:30 start intended ONLY for 20.25K participants who can’t make the three hour cut-off.) The Kid's Run is at 10:30 and is one lap around the TMUE track.

All courses start and finish at Tom McCall Upper Elementary School (1341 Pacific Ave) in Forest Grove, covering back roads through scenic wine country.  The 20.25K and 10K races are together for the first three miles, then split, then rejoin for the last 1.5 miles. This is not a closed course, so please be cautious of traffic and follow the Rules of the Road (e.g. keep left going against traffic).

Map: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5743844614/

The 20.25K and the 10K courses start and finish at Tom McCall Upper Elementary School (1341 Pacific Ave) in Forest Grove, covering back roads through scenic wine country.  Both races are together for the first three miles, then split, then rejoin for the last 1.5 miles.  This is not a closed course, so please be cautious of traffic and follow the Rules of the Road (e.g. keep left going against traffic).

Map: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5743811791/

The 5K course is an out-and-back over the last 1.5 miles of the 10K course. Everyone gets to do that hill by the cemetery. This is not a closed course, so please be cautious of traffic and follow the Rules of the Road (e.g. keep left going against traffic).

Map: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5743788643/

There will be a Kid's Run at 10:30am.  The distance is a 1/4 mile, once around the track at Tom McCall School.  The Kid's Run is free, and no registration is encouraged, but not required.  Participants will get free pancakes and a special prize.

Registration is online only.  We will be using Dynamic Bib Assignment.  Your bib number will be assigned when you pick up your bib either on Friday or Saturday.  Registration at RunSignUp stays open until the race starts. Race-day registration must be done online with a credit card. We cannot accept cash or checks.

Family Rates
Awesome family rates are available (maximum 2 adults and 3 children - immediate family only) by choosing our multi-person pricing option in the sign-up process. Registration info must be completed for each family member. ORRC member discount does not apply. 

1) Start by registering the first person. DO NOT PAY UNTIL AFTER YOU'VE ADDED ALL FAMILY MEMBERS!!!

2) Then scroll down to "+ Add Another Registrant"option.

3) Click the carrot - "^" to the right and on the same line as "None", revealing the family rate as shown below. 

4) Select the family option and then add registrations for other family members.

NOTE: Family rate is NOT available for day-of-event registrations. 

Take TV Highway or Highway 26 west to Forest Grove.  Drive west through town past Pacific University and the downtown area.  Tom McCall is at the intersection of Highway 8 and Pacific Avenue.

There are two buildings on the campus—Tom McCall East and Tom McCall West.  Registration and packet pick-up are at Tom McCall East, and the start/finish is between Tom McCall East and Tom McCall West.  There is parking at Tom McCall East, Tom McCall West, and at the Assembly of God Church lot (across the street from TM East).  Carpooling is encouraged.

Early pick-up is at Tom McCall East on Friday January 3rd from 4pm to 6pm.  Day of race pick-up starts at 7:30am.    Bring your phone for dynamic bib assignment. You may pick-up bibs for friends and family; no ID required.

A long sleeve tech shirt is available for $20.  Only pre-registered participants are guaranteed a shirt; some may be available day of race. 

In 2024 we offered Ralph's Run beanies. In 2025 we'll have custom Ralph's Run mittens for the first 300 finishers in the 20.25K, 10K and 5K. Look for Ralph's Run scarves in 2026 to complete your winter collection. The cost of the mittens is included in the registration fee.

The weather for Ralph's Run has run the gamut from sunny and mid-40s to rainy and mid-30s, to below freezing and snowy. Check the forecast before the race and dress accordingly.

Water, Gatorade, Gu packets and a few snacks will be available at Miles 2, 4.2, 7.5, 9 and 11 for the 20.25K and at Miles 2 and 4.5 for the 10K.  We will provide paper cups at aid stations, but encourage you to be eco-friendly by carrying your own drinking container (handhelds, bottles, bladders or collapsible cups). ORRC will provide free reusable cups when you pick up your bib and encourage you to use the cups on the course. There is no aid station inside the 5K course.

You may switch from the 20.25K to the 10K or 5K or vice versa.  If you decide to do this before the start, please contact the race director ASAP or report the change at the registration table. If you decide to switch during the race (as the 20.25 and 10K courses share the first three miles), tell the timer after you’ve finished so we can have accurate results. If you switch from the 20.25K to the 10K, you will NOT receive a partial refund.

Plaques to the overall male, female and non-binary winners in the open and masters (40+) divisions for the 20.25K run, 10K run and 10K walk, 5K run and 5K walk.  There are no separate awards for 20.25K walkers.  The top five finishers in the standard 5-year age groups will earn ribbons.  Overall winners are not eligible for age group ribbons. We have a special Caboose award for the last person to cross the finish line.

There are no finisher medals this year, but mittens instead.

Stay after the race! There will be an in-person raffle. Prizes include running gear and entries into the ORRC Vernonia Marathon and Half Marathon. Must be present to win!

There will be the traditional Pancake Feed! Participants, volunteers and family members are welcome to enjoy pancakes, juice and coffee prepared by the Forest Grove United Church of Christ.  ORRC will make a donation to the FG UCC to support their work to Care for Our Community.

This race is chip timed.  Results will be available at www.orrc.net

The 10K and 5K have separate walking categories with awards for walkers.  If you are registered as a walker, the expectation is that you will walk the entire time (i.e. one foot on the ground at all times).  If you plan to run any portion of the 10K or 5K, then you should register as a runner.  Please understand that that this is not a judged race walking event, so we expect walkers to police themselves.  We ask that walkers start toward the back of the pack so as to not impede the runners, and to not walk more than two abreast on the course so that runners and traffic can pass safely.

The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged at this event.  To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, the ORRC encourages a headphone-free environment.  Strollers, baby joggers or similar devices are permitted, but should start toward the back of the pack.  Dogs are not permitted.  We discourage anyone younger than 14 to run the 20.25K.  The course is open to traffic, so please run or walk against traffic (keep left) and do not cross the road except at places monitored by course marshals or police.

Race fees are not refundable, but may be transferred to other ORRC events. Email the race director with questions.

ORRC wants to celebrate your firsts. “My First 10K" and “My First 5K” bibs will be available at packet pick-up. Wear these bibs on race day so others can see your goal and encourage you along the way. Suitable for framing and social media.

ORRC wants to recognize all of its participants, from the first to the last. The last person to cross the finish line will earn a Red Caboose award. (Note: If there are multiple distances for an event, there aren’t multiple cabooses, just one for the very last.) 

At our running events, ORRC strives to promote inclusivity and fairness for all participants. While it's true that running only requires a pair of shoes, we understand that barriers to entry exist. Our Pay It Forward Fund (PIFF) assists those with financial difficulties paying for race fees. Contact this event’s race director about free or discounted race entries. We want to emphasize that everyone is welcome at our races, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and youth runners.

Goal
To foster equal and inclusive involvement of transgender and nonbinary individuals participating in ORRC events while also promoting fairness in award competitions.

Nonbinary Entrants
During registration, all entrants can select their gender category – male, female, or nonbinary. Entrants who choose nonbinary will have their own division, results page, and awards.

Transgender Entrants
Transgender women can register to compete in the female category, if those athletes have undergone medically supervised hormone treatment for at least one year prior to the race; and in the non-binary or male category without restriction. 

Transgender men can register to compete in the male or non-binary category without restriction; or in the female category if they have not undergone gender-affirming hormone treatment that includes testosterone.

Policy Enforcement
The gender and category that a runner selects during registration will be accepted as is. As such, no challenges to a runner's gender or category will be allowed or tolerated.

This policy will be updated as needed to ensure fair and inclusive practices.

Individuals and groups are welcome.  Individual volunteers earn a $50 credit for future ORRC events. ORRC will make a donation to non-profit groups that provide volunteers. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Barrett, Race Director, at 503-821-9577 or ralphsrun@oregonroadrunnersclub.org