Runwithpaula Crew

Hi, I’m Amanda, a RWP junkie — and Paula’s best friend.  I’ve been involved with RWP for 12 years, either as a runner or volunteer.  I love Paula’s events because they are like a big party, with some fabulous running routes thrown in!   When I’m not hanging out with my bestie, you can find me running, volunteering and entertaining my two boys, ages 6 and 8. I look forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming races!

Hi, I’m John, the course certifier for RWP. Measuring courses is my role with RWP while software development is my profession. When I’m not on the race course or behind a computer, my REAL JOB is caring for my three children, eight chickens, two Jacob sheep, and a five week old Maremma sheepdog puppy!

I’ve worked for RunwithPaula Events for five years in course management, and at Portland Running Company for 8.5 years. I ran in high school and, once I got out of college, I starting teaching, coaching and road racing. I still run 35-45 miles a week and have taught math in schools for 35 years.

Hi, I’m Season, the newest member on the RWP team.  My job is to help Paula coordinate and place volunteers, among many other things!  Stop by the volunteer booth at the next race and say hi!

I live in Beaverton with my husband and two children, and we lead a very active lifestyle. I enjoy hiking with my family and exploring different parts of Oregon. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, I can’t help but love it and its beauty.

Running is a passion I discovered 4 years ago and it has changed my outlook on life. My favorite distance is 13.1, but I hope to conquer 26.2 this year. I also enjoy running obstacle races. There’s just something about getting muddy and jumping over fire that excites me!

Hey, Mikey here.  I’ve been running with Paula since before RWP was RWP, and she’s been my Portland Fit coach since, well, forever.  Way back!  I’d have to take off my Asics to count the number of years we’ve been running together… all of it an adventure!   I enjoy volunteering at Paula’s races, doing everything from packet pick up to parking to set up/ tear down and with my bud Eric, as sweepers checking on other runners during the race.  When I’m not working a race, my “normal” job is moving freight up and down the Gorge from Portland to Hermiston, and back.

As parking, logistics and communications specialist for RWP, I have the job of helping Paula ensure all moving-parts of the race operate smoothly.  Prior to the event, I survey the location to determine an action plan for parking needs, shuttles/buses for runners, bag check-in and more.  On the day-of-race, I’m ready with a back-up plan should something go wrong. Thankfully, that’s never been the case, but after 15 years with RWP, this job never gets old!!!

When I’m not at a race, I love to run, bike and fish with my wife and three dogs.  During the week, you can find me at Kaiser repairing medical equipment.

I met Dave and Paula Harkin, the owners of the Portland Running Company, in 2008 after attending Tuesday night track in West Linn.  The following year my wife ran the Hippie Chick Half Marathon and I was there to cheer her on. That’s when I became apart of the Run With Paula team, by asking if there was anything I could do to help. Since then my job has been to assist Paula by doing anything that needs to be done. I always have a smile on my face, bring positive energy and make sure everyone is having a good time.

To me Run With Paula is bringing the community together for the love of running. I’m always looking forward to working all the events. 

During my normal 9-5 I work for Vigor Marine in the shipping and receiving department for large vessels during their time in dry dock.  I am also a property manager for KBC management. I spend my free time with my beautiful wife and daughter.

Hi, it’s Jodi here. I’m so excited to be joining the RWP team this year!

I was once a college athlete but lost sight of anything athletic when God blessed me with four children in four years.  When I started running again, it reshaped my body, soothed my soul and taught me to dream again.  I love feeling the wind on my face and the sweat on my brow, but have also learned to appreciate the speed and discipline that come with following a training schedule. Since 2007, I’ve run sixteen half-marathons, a 30k, five marathons, Hood to Coast, and Cascade Lakes Relay, and completed two Olympic-distance triathlons.

When I’m not running, you’ll find me outside with my camera, capturing the beauty of my photography clients and images of the awe-inspiring Pacific Northwest. I live in Newberg with my extremely funny husband and a passel of kids.

My name is Tracey. My husband and I have been volunteering for Paula for about 6 years, and were invited onto her official crew about a year and a half ago.  I do whatever Paula needs me to do – everything from packet pickup, running the finish line, putting out water stops or just a general gopher! RWP means so much to me.  Dave and Paula are such wonderful people providing fun avenues for others to get fit and healthy.  Paula always has a smile and one of the things she has told us is, “Anytime you can say yes to a participant, do it!”

In my regular life I am a PE, Health and Leadership teacher.  I have a huge heart for educating young people in order for them to grow up to be the best versions of themselves.

Hey it’s Cory, here.  You know when people post to social media about how early they wake up to run a race? Well, try SETTING IT UP! I’ve been part of Paula’s race set-up crew for several years, arriving at the crack of dawn and pitching in where ever needed,  and I consider it an honor to help spread the RunwithPaula love of running.

I discovered running later in life, through Portland Fit where I met Paula and Dave. It was their encouragement as coaches and the development of friendships that I became “a runner.”  In my regular life, I supervise the processing and sterilization of surgical instrumentation.  Don’t tell my boss, but I have a heck of a lot more fun as member of Paula’s crew – then again, we don’t have a beer garden at work!   (And for the record, the van in the photo was not one that I belonged to!)

Hi!  My name is Erica and I started running alongside my sister when we started the Couch-5K running program in 2011.  In that year, we went from Couch to 5K to Marathon! (and a few stops in between!) My first Run with Paula event was the Hippie Chick. From there, I was hooked!  Today at races, you can find me lending a hand wherever I am needed. I love being part of such an energetic group of people!

Professionally, I work as a fundraising consultant and help local non-profits fund their important work through grant writing, auctions, and experience-driven events. In my free time, I enjoy church, traveling, and spending time with my family. My love for children drives my passion to lead volunteer medical and building teams to Oaxaca, Mexico to serve a small community close to where my husband lived as a child. This work makes my heart beat!