About Us
Our Ownership Team: Dave and Paula Harkin
Dave and Paula Harkin have owned and operated Portland Running Company since 2000. They opened Portland Running on Grand Avenue in 2003.
Dave Harkin attended the University of Oregon and graduated in 1993. After a four-year teaching career that took him to Louisiana, Colorado, and Seattle, Dave eventually returned to Oregon where he met his wife and business partner Paula. He has won several local races including the Race for the Roses Half Marathon, the Vancouver Lake Half Marathon, the Sauvie Island Flat Half, and the Hagg Lake 25K trail run. He is a four-time champion of the Newport Marathon. Dave is a dynamic speaker and coach who inspires hundreds of athletes every year through seminars for a wide range of groups and through his work with Portland Fit.
Paula Harkin, lifelong Oregonian and founder of Run With Paula Events, has created a vibrant community for local runners that includes Portland Running Company, Portland Fit, the Hippie Chick Women's Run/Walk Academy, and her marquee events: the Hippie Chick Half Marathon (many times over Best All Women’s Event — Competitor NW), Helvetia Half Marathon (many times over Best Half Marathon — Competitor NW), The Go Girl Trail Run, The Crawfish Crawl, and Pints To Pasta (many times over Best 10K — Competitor NW). Paula is a competitive runner as well as a mother of two. She is recognized as an industry leader in running retail and event marketing.
PRC is proud to employ over 30 part-time and full-time runners, walkers, and avid fitness enthusiasts.