HOOTIE HOO 8K TRAIL | 5K PAVED | HOOT X 2

Here comes Spring and there is no better way to celebrate than getting your fitness on! 

Maybe you have been training for a Spring Marathon or maybe your couch has seen a little too much of you lately!  Judgement Free Zone here, so grab a friend and choose a distance and terrain - 8K on trails or 5K on a paved bike path.  OR if you really want to test your fitness sign up for the Hoot X 2.  Run the 8K trail race followed by the 5K paved race. 

 

*Runners must finish the 8K in 60 minutes or less to start the 5K

**RIVER BENDS PARK**

Age based pricing:  Youth 13 yrs and under are $20, race day $25.  Youth category does not include a swag item, but youth finishers will get a finisher award.  Swag items can be added on during the registration process.

 

***FIRST 50 RUNNERS TO REGISTER WILL GET A MYSTERY GIFT AT REGISTRATION!

 

Event Highlights

• 3 different distances offered and 2 different terrains!  8K - trail, 5K- paved, Hoot X 2 consists of 8K trail + 5K paved!

• Your choice of swag item, gender specific 1/4 zip tech shirt or tech running cap

• unique finisher gift to get you excited for Spring!

• 8K Awards: Overall M/F, 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+  (16 total awards)

• 5K Awards: Overall M/F, 13 and under, 14-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+  (16 total awards)

• HOOT X 2 Awards:  Top 2 M/F (total time)

• post-race refreshments

 

Hickory Grove Pavilion - start and finish for both races!

 

*TRAVELIN TOM'S COFFEE TRUCK WILL BE ONSITE TO SERVICE RUNNERS AND SPECTATORS, they accept card, cash and apple pay

 

Schedule

7:45 AM       Race Day Registration 

9:30 AM       8K Trail Race Starts

10:30 AM     5K Paved Race Starts

**NOTE - Runners registering for the HOOT X 2 (8K+5K) will need to complete the 8K trail race by 10:30 AM to start the 5K by 10:35 AM

 

EARLY PACKET PICK-UP    SATURDAY MARCH 21, 2026 (1 WEEK PRIOR)  

11:00 AM -2:00 PM   HANSON'S RUNNING SHOP, 8409 HALL RD., UTICA

*Come run the Bill Roney 5K and pick up your Hootie Hoo race packet

 

MAPS

 

 

All finishers will receive a unique spring-themed finisher gift to get you excited for the new season: a small wooden planted box with a seed packet! Plus, you have the opportunity to win age group/overall awards in the 8K and 5K:

8K Awards: Overall M/F, 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+  (14 total awards)
5K Awards: Overall M/F, 13 and under, 14-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+  (16 total awards)
Hoot X 2 Awards:  Top 2 M/F Overall (total time)
 

Early Packet Pickup: Saturday, March 21

• 11am-2pm at Utica's Hanson's Running Shop
• Come run BILL RONEY 5K then pick up your Hootie Hoo race packet!  
• Address: Hanson's Running Shop, 8409 Hall Rd, Utica
• Note: this is ONE WEEK before race day!

 

Race Day: Sunday, March 29

• Location:  River Bends Park, 5700 22 Mile Rd, Shelby Township, MI US 48317
• Race day packet pickup begins at 8:30am
• 8K trail start: 9:30am
• 5K paved start: 10:30am
   

• 3 different distances + terrains offered: 8K trail or 5K paved  NEW FOR 2026- HOOT X 2 (8K + 5K)
• Choice of custom event tech running cap (retail value of $35) or gender specific 1/4 zip tech shirt
• unique finisher gift to get you excited for Spring! (small wooden box with seed packet!)
• Age group awards
• Post race refreshments
• Race day photos

Age based pricing:  Youth 12 yrs and under are $20, race day $25.  Youth category does NOT include a swag item, but youth finishers WILL get an award

 

2025 SWAG SHOWN BELOW - 2026 PHOTOS COMING SOON!!

5K RUN/WALK: CHOOSE YOUR SWAG ITEM: CAP OR 1/4 ZIP TECH SHIRT

8K RUN: CHOOSE YOUR SWAG ITEM: CAP OR 1/4 ZIP TECH SHIRT

HOOT X 2 | 8K TRAIL & 5K PAVED: CHOOSE YOUR SWAG ITEM: CAP OR 1/4 ZIP TECH SHIRT