Cherry Fun Run back: Float like a blossom, run by the trees

Torry Lindbo was putting his sneakers to the test this morning, March 26 on Dry Hollow Road. Lindbo of Stevenson, Wash., is the president of the Columbia Gorge Running Club and his group is helping CGCC organize the NW Cherry Festival Fun Run set for April 26.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., March 26, 2025 — Put on tank top.

Tie shoes. 

Float like a blossom falling from a cherry tree and find your line in one of the funnest foot races in the Gorge.

Columbia Gorge Community College is is giving runners a sweetspot as they bring back the Northwest Cherry Festival Fun Run on Saturday, April 26 after a five-year hiatus prompted by the unfundemic. 

The race is a fundraiser for the CGCC Cross Country Team. 

CGCC Director of Marketing and Communication Tom Penberthy said he was excited to get help from locals all over the Gorge in organizing the race. 

He said Cross Country legend Bob Thouvenel of The Dalles and Torry Lindbo of the Columbia Gorge Running club have helped him in getting the race organized. 

Click here to register. See, organized! 

Cost to register is $15 for 3k, $20 for 5k and $25 for 10k.   

Penberthy said he arm-wrestled with his boss Sue Davis, Executive Director of the CGCC Foundation, over who would get to run in the race.  

“She said she could run in it, if I would run it,” Penberthy said, laughing.

All races begin at 8 a.m. at Dry Hollow Elementary, 1319 E. 19th Street.

10k Course Description - breath, run, breath, run, breath, run, hill, hill, hill, breath, run, breath run, breath, run… orange slice, endorphin bliss.

The course for the 10k is a circuitous route starting with a half mile on Dry Hollow then following 3-Mile Road for several miles with a nice short climb and then returning to Dry Hollow Elementary on Dry Hollow Road. 

“The High School blessed us to take this over, and we are getting lots of help from people who know how to do it right,” Penberthy added.