“Beat the giant running pancakes.”

Eugene Marathon and 5K announcer Greg Pressler’s voice rang out from Hayward Field and spilled into Agate Street where hundreds of runners made final preparations before the start of the Eugene 5K.

In the sea, two pancake costumes stand out, the arms and legs of their inhabitants tiny in comparison to the rotund costumes.

As runners stretched, Pressler continued with his story. Since 2008, there was Flap Jack, a lonesome, quick pancake representing the food brand, Krusteaz. Then, in 2017 Flap Jill joined. Her costume nearly identical besides for bright red lips, eyelashes and a bow. Together they challenge Eugene 5K runners to beat them with the reward of Krusteaz pancakes for a year.

Over the last few years, 22-year-old Avery Hackenberg and 21-year-old Henry Axon have become well acquainted with the pancakes. Each year for one morning in April, they get to carry on the Eugene 5K and Duck Dash tradition of the beloved Flap Jack and Flap Jill.

Henry Axon, 21, and Avery Hackenberg, 22, pin their race bibs onto the front of their pancake costumes before the Eugene 5K. Axon has raced as Flap Jack for two years. Hackenberg has raced as Flap Jill for three. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Hackenberg texts Axon before they meet up at Hayward Field prior to the race. Earlier in their messages, they talk about how early they need to get there. “I believe in flapjill,” wrote Axon. “Thank you flap jack,” replied Hackenberg. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Avery Hackenberg arrives at Hayward Field before disguising herself as Flap Jill. “The first year I had a lot of race anxiety.” Now, Hackenberg is able to have fun with it. “They actually don’t want us to run too too fast,” said Hackenberg. She said it is important that some people beat them and win the prize — a year of free pancakes. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Avery Hackenberg takes off the Flap Jill costume after completing the Eugene 5K. “I am a little out of breath, I can’t lie,” said Hackenberg, who ran a 5K in the costume in 22:17, five minutes slower than when she isn’t wearing the costume. “The first hill always makes me rethink this decision.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Audrey Squires approaches Flap Jill before the Duck Dash. “I used to be Flap Jill,” said Squires, who took on the role in the late 2010s. “I am not an elite runner, they just needed someone who was willing to wear a pancake suit,” said Squires. “I vividly remember having to hold the pancake suit away from me so that I could breathe. I could only use one arm to run because the other arm was holding the pancake suit.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Avery Hackenberg wears a Flap Jill bracelet that was gifted to her by a stranger at the starting line. “I personally think they (Flap Jack and Flap Jill) fit in, not just in this event but in the entire Eugene community,” said Karen Ramming, chief marketing officer of TrackTown USA. “It’s a little funky, it’s a little weird, but it’s fun and fast. That’s kind of what running in Eugene is.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Flap Jill races in the Eugene 5K down 20th Avenue in Eugene, April 25, 2026. The costume isn’t easy to run in. There is velcro on the inside that rubs against Avery Hackenberg’s body. The mesh part of the eyes rubs her nose as she presses her face against it to steady the costume. Plus, in order to see, Hackenberg has to tilt it sideways. “I actually don’t think mine has a bad smell,” said Hackenberg. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Juan Flores takes a selfie with Flap Jack and Flap Jill as others prepare for a photo at the same time. Walking through the crowd at Hayward is a feat in itself with constant demand for photos and other mascot duties. “People ask you a lot of questions so we go with the no talking,” said Hackenberg. “I guess no one ever told us what we can’t do, but it is much easier on our part.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Flap Jill tries to initiate the wave at the starting line of the Duck Dash. None of the kids responded. “It is really fun to be a mascot because I can kind of just really be a different person,” said Hackenberg. “I can’t embarrass myself. I am already in a pancake suit.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Flap Jack and Flap Jill lead out the Duck Dash with hundreds of kids chasing after them. They do this immediately after finishing the 5K. “All the kids try to race us really hard core. You go,” said Hackenberg. “Flap Jill is gassed.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Avery Hackenberg looks out of the eye of her Flap Jill costume. “It takes me a couple of minutes to get into the Flap Jill persona,” said Hackenberg. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Avery Hackenberg assesses the damage to her hair after completing the Eugene 5K and taking off the Flap Jill suit. The material had rubbed the top of her head and created an unrecognizable mat in her hair. “That’s a new issue. We haven’t had that one before,” she said. “Maybe next year I’ll wear a swim cap.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Former Duck and two time olympic decathlon champion Ashton Eaton takes a photo of his kids with Flap Jack and Flap Jill ahead of the Duck Dash. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Hana Mazur, 23, one of Avery Hackenberg’s friends and assistant to the Flap Jack and Jill entourage, gives Flap Jill a piggy back ride down the ramp at Hayward Field. “This is really fun,” Hackenberg said about being Flap Jill for the morning. “I forget how much of a high this is.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA