Will Run for Honey
The squad after the race. Left to right: Erica Doering, Karl Dickman, Ryan Misjan, Laura Thomas, Rahul Marathe, Ben Hodgdon. Kneeling: Steve Tokarski. Photo by Emma Notario.
Written by Karl Dickman
On September 13, Rose City opened the 2025 cross-country season with the Raw Oregon Honey 5k in Oregon City. Held this year at Clackamas Community College, the Honey Run is a fundraiser for Oregon City High School’s XC team.
The starting area was wide and immaculately flagged, slowly funneling down as the course curved around one of the stands of trees that dot the campus. The first turn took the racers past the pumpkin patch and around the community garden. From there it climbed some grassy, rolling hills before dropping into a shady grove of oak trees. The complete loop was about a mile, run three times. A friendly course for spectators, well used by Emma Notario, who came to cheer with her trusty cowbell.
Laura Thomas opened her XC season with 24:12.94. It was a tough day for her. Her asthma was acting up and that forced her to dial the pace back to 10k effort. LT says, “Despite having a hard day, I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to race. I like the Clackamas Community College course because it was engaging and racing on the course helped me get ready to coach my [Grant] High Schoolers at the invitational” that followed the Honey Run.
Ben Hodgdon ran 22:30.47 in his first race since January. Ben is excited to have a rust buster under his belt before the MLK Dream Run the following weekend.
Karl Dickman ran 20:33.54, hampered by an untied shoelace in the first 200 m. Despite this setback, it’s the fastest XC 5k he has run since joining Rose City.
Rahul Marathe ran 19:54.77, in just his second XC race ever (and first XC 5k). Rahul says, “Definitely harder than a road race. It’s a different vibe all together. Toeing the line for a cross country race felt really different for some reason. Also, it’s easier to get carried away and throw your plan out the window within the first few meters. For sure it needs more composure.”
Erica Doering ran 19:53.83, winning the women’s division and taking home the champion’s honey pot. Erica says, “My last cross country race was December 2021, so I am a little out of practice. Despite this, each part of the race was such a joy! It was so much fun to be surrounded by teammates during the warm up, at the start line, on the course, and during the cool down. The cheers and cowbell from Emma Notario provided just the right amount of extra encouragement for each lap around the course. I am excited for the rest of the cross country season ahead with awesome teammates!”
Steve Tokarski, the defending champion, ran 19:30.26. Steve teaches social studies at Oregon City High School. In 2024, his students pressured him into signing up for the race. He gave in and surprised them by walking away with the win. He didn’t keep his title this year, but he’s in good spirits about it, noting that the field was much more competitive this year.
Alex Kurt ran 18:28.07, finishing sixth in the men’s division, good enough for a jar of honey. Alex says, “This was my first XC race in 10 years, and I was sure I’d apply all the wisdom I’d acquired in the interlude to run a smart, evenly-paced race. I even announced this plan to my wife beforehand. So naturally, when the gun went off, I went out with all the patience of Shooter McGavin sprinting away from the mob after he stole the gold jacket. (There’s just something about a mass start in the fall.) Fortunately, Ryan slotted in ahead of me and we were able to hold the 5-6 spots the rest of the way. I guess everyone else went out too hard, too.”
Ryan Misjan ran 18:20.26, completing his first cross-country race in two decades. Ryan was all smiles, calling it “lots of fun.”
It was a promising start to the cross-country season, with many smiles and excitement for more racing. Congratulations and thank you to coach Brandon Lee and Oregon City XC for putting on such a quality event. The markings, the course, and details like the rubber mats over the pavement crossings were all well-done. The half-dozen food trucks provided a variety of options for a post-race meal or snack. We’re lucky to have opened the season here.
A sweet prize for Alex, Ryan, and Erica. Photo by Ryan Misjan.