Group run schedule
When to Show Up
Saturday9:00 AM at Eastbank EsplanadeSunday9:00 AM at Portland Running Company + The Run PubTuesday6:30 AM at Duniway Track (summer) and 6:00 PM at Mt. Tabor Amphitheater (summer)
Community
Portland Frontrunners
Portland, Oregon
Portland Frontrunners is an LGBTQIA+-focused running and walking club founded in 1982 that hosts multiple weekly runs and walks at the waterfront, Forest Park, and other Portland locations. The club welcomes all paces and distances, with typical routes ranging from 2.5 to 6 miles.
About This Club
Portland Frontrunners is an LGBTQIA+-focused running and walking club that has been meeting in Portland since 1982. They run three days a week across several locations, including the Eastbank Esplanade, Forest Park trails, and Duniway Track. If you want a community-rooted group where walkers and slower runners are genuinely part of the plan, not an afterthought, this is worth showing up to.
Highlights
- Access to global network of Frontrunners chapters
- Membership election to Board of Directors
- Participation in annual Portland Pride Run & Walk
- Bridge to Bridge Fun Run & Walk
Who It Suits
This club is built for LGBTQIA+ runners and walkers and allies who want a social, community-first environment across a range of paces and distances. If you are chasing a specific training pace or want a structured speed workout, this probably is not your primary training group, though it could still be a good addition to your week.
Free race emails
Get the Weekly RunSesh
Found your people? Now find the races. A Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of what's coming up near Portland, so your crew always has a start line on the calendar.
Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
What a Run With Them Is Like
Routes typically land somewhere between 2.5 and 6 miles depending on the day, so there is usually a distance that works for where you are right now.
The terrain varies meaningfully across the week: paved waterfront paths on Saturday, hilly roads and Forest Park trails on other days, and a track for Tuesday summer mornings. They say all speeds are welcome, and walkers are included, so the group is not built around one target pace that leaves people behind.
Distance2.5 miles, 4 miles, 5 miles, 6 miles
PaceClub welcomes all speeds and levels; no specific pace ranges listed
TerrainPaved waterfront paths, Track, Road with hills, Forest park trails, Park roads and paths
Post-runSaturday: Water Avenue Coffee; Tuesday evening: Pine Street Market; Sunday: nearby coffee shop
Your First Run
For the Saturday run, head to the Eastbank Esplanade where Main Street meets the river and look for the Vera Katz Statue at 9:00 AM. Before you go, they ask you to review and sign a participation waiver, and they recommend checking their Weekly Events page for the specific route that week since it can change.
You do not need to be a member or sign up in advance, just show up. Coming alone is normal here, and no one is clocking your finishing position.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Portland
15 upcoming races in Portland. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026Rose City Relays Portland, ORFrom $5Details Thu, Aug 6, 2026OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland Fun Run Portland, ORFrom $40Register Thu, Sep 3, 2026This is our Trailhead - Fleet Feet Block Party Portland, ORFreeRegister
See all Portland races
Common Questions About Portland Frontrunners
Do I have to pay to run with Portland Frontrunners?
No. Membership is not required to show up and run. If you want to join as a member, it is $30 for a standard membership, $15 for students, seniors 65 and older, people facing hardship, and active military, or $100 for a Friends membership. Members get things like a vote on the Board of Directors and access to the global Frontrunners network.
Is it okay if I want to walk instead of run?
Yes, walkers are explicitly welcome. This is not a run-only group.
Where exactly do I go for the Saturday run?
Meet at the Eastbank Esplanade where Main Street ends at the river, by the Vera Katz Statue. Start time is 9:00 AM.
Do they run year-round, or is this a seasonal thing?
Saturday and Sunday runs appear to run consistently. The Tuesday schedule is noted as a summer schedule, with morning and evening options, so the Tuesday setup may shift outside of summer. Check their Weekly Events page before heading out on a Tuesday.
Is there anything to do after the run, or does everyone just scatter?
There is a post-run social spot tied to each day. Saturday wraps up at Water Avenue Coffee, Tuesday evenings go to Pine Street Market, and Sunday heads to a nearby coffee shop. It is a real part of the routine, not just a suggestion.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated July 2026.