Northwest Trail Runners

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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!

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!