About us
Come join us for a run out on the trails! We run every Saturday morning and Tuesday evening in Forest Park or other trails around Portland. We also schedule monthly adventure runs to scenic locations around the Pacific Northwest, celebratory holiday runs, and trail maintenance parties.
Tuesday, Saturday, and holiday runs are generally 5 - 7 miles long with a variety of paces and experience. Our adventure runs are more challenging in both length and elevation and are targeted towards more seasoned runners.
Northwest Trail Runners also focuses on building a collaborative trail running community, forming friendships and adventure ideas, introducing people to ultra and adventure running, and engaging our members to care for our wild places, open spaces, and public lands.
We look forward to growing and exploring the wild treasures of the Pacific Northwest with you!
FAQ's
What pace do people run?
We have many different paces of runners and sometimes people walk if they're recovering from injury. It will depend on the elevation and distance of the route, and who shows up that day. You can take it slow or, if you like a speed challenge, there's usually someone who will take you up on it!
Do you regroup during the run?
Yes, we usually regroup one or more times (depends on the route) to keep the group closer together. If you'll be walking or running a slower pace let the organizer of the day know at the start. We may not be able to wait for you at the regrouping if you're far behind but can discuss other options to keep you engaged with the group.
I'm nervous about meeting new people! Will I fit in?
We've all been there! We're a casual, welcoming group focused on building community. Many of us joined solo and have built friendships which have continued outside the scheduled runs. We usually have a good number of "regulars" and a few new people at each of our runs.
Where do you run?
The bulk of our runs are in Forest Park which contains 80 miles of trails to explore. We also venture out to other spots around Portland and do monthly adventure runs in the gorge, up or around PNW mountains, or at the coast.
What types of events do you have?
We have regularly scheduled Tuesday night (6:30pm) and Saturday morning (9:00am) runs, 5-7 miles in length, generally posted a week in advance. In addition, we schedule occasional adventure runs (see above) and special events. Examples of special events from the past: volunteer trail maintenance with Forest Park Conservancy, Wildwood End to End run, Pi day pie run, New Year's day relay, summer picnic...
Who organizes the runs?
We have a close knit team of organizers who take turns posting and leading our runs and providing various support to the group. We also have an amazing community of "regulars" who naturally pitch in in various ways during and outside of events. We are community run!
How do we keep our running community welcoming and respectful?
We’re committed to building a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive running community where everyone feels they belong. We ask all participants to follow Meetup’s group and event policies and to help care for one another along the way. If you have a question or concern, please reach out to an organizer by direct message on Meetup or talk with us at a group run—we’re always glad to listen and help.
I have another question. What should I do?
Send a message to one of our organizers or post a message on one of our events. We'd love to hear from you!
Upcoming events
5
FOOD DRIVE + Shortie Tuesday: Leif, Wild Cherry, Alder Loop (Trail run in FP)
Forest Park NW PDX Entrance, 4099 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR, USRun info below, but FIRST:
Join us for FOOD DRIVE NOVEMBER: Northwest Trail Runners is hosting a Food Drive to support the Sunshine Division and help fight food insecurity in our community.
Throughout the month, we’ll be collecting unexpired non-perishable food donations at our Tuesday and Saturday runs. Every item makes a difference! Organizers will collect donations after each run. Requested items include:
Peanut Butter / Canned Meats / Boxed Dinners (Ex. Mac & Cheese) / Canned Fruits & Vegetables / Canned Beans / Pasta Sauce / Rice, Pasta & Grains / Seasonings & Spices / Sauces & Condiments / Crackers & Snacks / Cereal & Breakfast Items / Soup & Meal Starters
Monetary donations are also welcome — make checks payable to Sunshine Division. Let’s come together on the trails and offer to lend a hand to neighbors in need!Distance: 5 mile trail run
Gain: 499 feet
Start: Leif Erickson Trail on NW Thurman
After: Lucky Lab Beer Hall on NW QuimbyThis run is short and sweet with a quick warm up as we immediately climb up Wild Cherry Trail. At a scant 5 miles - and not a lot of vert - we get plenty of time to socialize at the end.
The route description:
Start running at the Leif Erickson gate on NW Thurman.
• Left up Wild Cherry
• Right onto Wildwood
• Regroup at Alder: Run a short out & back on Wildwood to the next bridge, return to Alder
• Run down Alder
• Right at Leif back to the gateLink to the map:
https://www.strava.com/routes/2811318889894148396See you on the trails!
Hosted by: CherHill
Northwest Trail Runners16 attendees
Food Drive + 8th Annual Turkey Day Run o' Fun (Trail run in Forest Park)
Leif Erickson Trail, 4198-4100 NW Leif Erikson Dr, Portland, OR, US8th Annual Turkey Run o' Fun info below, but FIRST:
Join us for FOOD DRIVE NOVEMBER: This November, Northwest Trail Runners is hosting a Food Drive to support the Sunshine Division and help fight food insecurity in our community.
Throughout the month, we’ll be collecting non-perishable food donations at our Tuesday and Saturday runs. Look for the donation barrel (provided by the Sunshine Division) at each run — every item makes a difference!
Requested items include:- Canned meats
- Peanut butter
- Boxed dinners
- Canned vegetables & fruits
- Canned beans
- Pasta sauce
Monetary donations are also welcome — checks can be made payable to Sunshine Division.
Let’s come together on the trails and offer to lend a hand to neighbors in need. Learn more about the Sunshine Division’s impact at sunshinedivision.org
Have questions? Reach out to any organizer!Distance: 5 mile trail run
Gain: 700 feet
Start: Leif at Thurman
After: St. Honoré BakeryHello Northwest Trail Runners!
What better way to start a day of giving thanks and (over)eating than with a run in great company?!
Let's meet at Leif Erickson trailhead (end of Thurman Street) and do a 5 mile route while giving thanks for our wonderful trails and our amazing running community :).
Route:
• Up Leif Erickson
• Left at Alder
• Left at Wildwood
• Right up Dogwood
• Sharp Left onto Wild Cherry
• Cross Wildwood to continue on Wild Cherry
• Right at LeifWe'll then head to St. Honoré Bakery (2335 NW Thurman St, Portland) to get a headstart on holiday eating :P.
Link to the route:
https://www.strava.com/routes/17727666So thankful for this community!
MACCAM
9 attendees
Rose Garden White Pine loop and C🍪🍪KIES! (Trail run in Forest Park)
Washington Park Tennis Courts, 650 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR, USBring cookies to share or an appetite to eat them!
Distance: 6 mile trail run
Gain: 1,129 feet
Start: Tennis courts above the Rose Garden
After: Hostel Cafe - mix of paid and 1 hour street parking.It's time for our annual cookie run celebrating National Cookie Day. We'll work up an appetite on our morning run then fuel back up with breakfast and COOKIES! Bring cookies to share and/or an appetite to eat them!
The Run🏃♀️🏃♂️
We'll meet in the parking lot by the Washington Park tennis courts (above the Rose Garden) for a 6-mile upside-down squiggly lollipop loop that includes the MAC trail, White Pine trail, Wildwood, and Japanese Garden Trail. This route has a mixture of rolling hills, steep climbs, steep descents, and a view from the top of Pittock.The Cookies🍪🍪
Afterwards we’ll let our inner cookie monsters out and power back up with COOKIES at Hostel Cafe. Coffee drinks / breakfast treats will be available for purchase. We'll have paper bags so you can take an assortment of cookies home with you. Thanks to all who share their cookies with us. Every year it's a delight to see and taste the variety. YUM!Thank you to Hostel Cafe for offering their event space to us and our cookies!
Here’s the route:
- Down through the Rose Garden | .2 miles
- Right on MAC trail | .8 miles
- Left on Wildwood | 1 mile
- Regroup at White Pine (just before the end of Wildwood, marked with little yellow plaques)
- Right up White Pine | .9 miles
- Left on Wildwood to Pittock | 1 mile
- Regroup at Pittock viewpoint
- Return down Wildwood | 1.8 miles
- Left on Japanese Garden Trail | .3 miles
- End back in the parking lot
Route map: https://www.strava.com/routes/3426388794372252966
Looking forward to our 6th annual cookie run!
Hosted by: Super Cookie (Nicole) 🍪🏃♀️🌲
https://northwesttrailrunners.org
instagram.com/NorthwestTrailRunners6 attendees
Christmas Ships Parade 🎅⛵ (Paved run around the Portland waterfront)
Baerlic Brewery & Taproom, 2239 SE 11th Ave, Portland, OR, USDistance: 5.9 mile paved run
Gain: 145 feet
Start: Baerlic Brewery South East PDX
After: Baerlic / Ranch Pizza
Bring: A headlamp and reflective gear! Extra points for holiday cheer.Let's run around the waterfront to spy Santa and his reindeer leading the annual Christmas ships parade - a Portland tradition! We'll start at Baerlic, run to the pedestrian bridge to cross the railroad tracks, then make our way to the Tilikum bridge for a clockwise run around the waterfront. If our timing works out we'll see the ships circling in front of the Riverplace Marina before they head out under the Tilikum bridge. Let's see how lucky we get!
Afterwards we'll warm up in front of the indoor fire pit at Baerlic for more ho ho hos, drinks, and ranch-dipped pizza.
Here’s the route (we'll stay together until we get to the Tilikum):
- Starting at Baerlic, run east on SE Sherman Street | 1 block
- Right on SE 12th Ave | 2 blocks
- Left on SE Division | 2 blocks
- Right on SE 14th Ave | 4 blocks
- Cross the railroad tracks using the pedestrian bridge
- Continue on SE Tilikum Way | .4 miles
- Left on SE Caruthers | .3 miles
- Right at the waterfront | 1 block
- Right after going under the Tilikum bridge | 1 block
- Right onto the bridge and begin a clockwise run around the waterfront | .8 miles
- Regroup at the lookout just past the Dough Zone for Christmas Ship viewing.
- Continue clockwise around the waterfront | 3.3 miles
- Left onto Caruthers (careful crossing the railroad tracks) | .5 miles
- Left on 10th back to Baerlic | 1 block
Route map: https://www.strava.com/routes/3301828720742555452
Hosted by: Nicole 🍪🏃♀️🌲
https://NorthwestTrailRunners.org
instagram.com/NorthwestTrailRunners4 attendees
Past events
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