2025 HOH 5k Recap

2025 Race Recap: The Sweetest Race Yet

After a long winter of hibernating in the basement of Calvary, our beloved mascot, Flash the Flamingo, emerged from a “creative retreat” with a crumpled treasure map, a lollipop tucked in his wing, and a brilliantly sweet idea:

Let’s turn this year’s race into Candy Land.

So we did.

On race day, the sun cranked up to a toasty 93°, but the heat didn’t melt anyone’s enthusiasm. Over 300 racers showed up ready to dash through the Peppermint Forest, jog past gumdrops, and yes, even waddle the route in a full gingerbread man costume. (Major props to Austin Westenbroek!)

King Kandy himself sent racers off, and the course came alive thanks to 14 incredible Road Warrior stations. Volunteers went all out: punny candy signs, pink and purple hair, giant gummy bears, candy bracelets, and even a full family of cupcakes. Flash was so impressed he handed out trophies to his top picks!

The heat didn’t stand a chance against our speedsters, who blazed through the course with jaw-dropping times! Fourteen-year-old Adalyn Raab even snagged the second-fastest women’s time in HOH 5k history! But in true Heights of Hope fashion, we cheered just as loud for the last runner as the first. At the finish line, every racer was greeted with a lollipop, plus cotton candy and gummy bears for extra sweetness.

But our volunteers were the true MVPs of our race. From blueberry pickers to cotton candy makers, bounce castle attendants to iced coffee servers, this race is powered by pure community spirit.

We couldn’t have done it without:

• Our corporate sponsors (like Techno-Coat, who also sent 20 racers to the course).

• The Holland Police Department, who not only secured the route, but brought their Polar Patrol ice cream truck for a much-needed cooldown.

• The Ottawa County Medical Reserve Corps, a group of committed volunteers who show up to make sure our runners stay safe and cool.

• Our incredible partner churches (Holland Heights CRC, Niekerk, and Calvary on 8th), who compete fiercely for the “Most Participants” trophy and find creative ways to get more folks involved. (This year Calvary took back the trophy after a two year run at Holland Heights!) 

• Gazelle Sports, who generously loans us race gear each year, just one of the ways they encourage and celebrate healthy lifestyles here in our local community.

The Heights of Hope 5K isn’t just a run. It’s a community celebration wrapped in joy, sprinkled with creativity, and topped with a whole lot of heart. 

Flash is already scheming next year’s theme. We hope you'll be a part of it! And check out this page for ways you can experience more of this awesome community between now and then! 

Save the Date for the 16th Annual 5k and 1.5 Mile Fun Run:

Saturday evening, August 8, 2026!