Runwithpaula Crew

The amazing people who make it happen

Run with Paula Events puts on top-notch footraces that reflect our deep roots in the Northwest running and walking community. It’s our passion to get you moving forward in pursuit of your goals. Built on Paula Harkin’s years of success in the industry, our events stand out for their personal touch and impeccable organization. Local. Handmade Events. That’s Run With Paula.

Amanda Davidson

Amanda Davidson

Right hand girl

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!

John Spurgeon

John Spurgeon

Course certifier

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!

Jim Ney

Jim Ney

Course specialist

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.

Season Ponce

Season Ponce

Registration captain

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!

Mike Leveton

Mike Leveton

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.

Bill Dixon

Bill Dixon

Parking, logistics & communication specialist

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.

Chris Redd

Chris Redd

Right hand man

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.

Jodi Stilp

Jodi Stilp

Volunteer coordinator

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.

Tracey Spencer

Tracey Spencer

Finish line and logistics

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.

Cory Rarick

Cory Rarick

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!)

 

Erica Soto

Erica Soto

Registration Team

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!

Brent MacDermot

Brent MacDermot

Course specialist

I’ve been working with RWP for 7 years. My primary task is to set the course so no one gets lost! I monitor each race to ensure that aid stations have supplies, runners are supported properly and I also troubleshoot any other difficulties that may arise.

I enjoy working with the runners as everyone is so excited and ready to take on the course! I especially like packet pickup when I can chat with participants and provide information to make race day go more smoothly. When I’m not working a RWP event, I’m a retired teacher who still runs and cycles, and coaches cross country, track, and individual runners.

Lori Telles

Lori Telles

Marketing, vendor liason

Hi, I’m Lori. I’ve been part of the RWP team for the past four years, serving as volunteer and vendor coordinator. In my role, I help to coordinate race volunteers by placing them in assignments and providing support and coaching. I also interface with race vendors at the events. If you see a “crazy lady,” running around on race day, that’s probably me! When I’m not help Paula with her races, you can find me in my craft studio or driving to a game or practice with one of my 13 year-old twins.

Eric & Kat Stone

Eric & Kat Stone

Volunteers extraordinare

We have done everything from standing at the turn at the old Hippie Chick course, playing music and cheering while flagging with a purpose, to parking to setting up to closing down and packing up. From packet pick to sweeping the course. I cannot think of anything  we were not able to assist with. 

By day, I am a high school counselor, by night a math tutor and high school educator at our synagogue. I also have dabbled in adjunct teaching at both the community college and graduate programs at both PSU and Marylhurst, and this is year 21 in secondary public education.

Hard to put in words what RWP means to me – but I will say you have set the benchmark for all other race directors to reach for…and I have enjoyed the new events put on by RWP 2.0 (post-Better Series purchasing the old races).

Christian Spencer

Christian Spencer

Finish line and logistics

I enjoy being one of the first people to arrive (in the dark!) on race morning to help out with the million things that need to be done before the event begins.   I have been volunteering for RWP for about five years, and it’s been so much fun working with the crew and all the great people that make these races run so smoothly. With the new RWP races, it’s a great time to be part of such a fantastic community of people who have such a love for running.

My wife Tracey is also a RWP team member, and working Paula’s races is an activity we both enjoy doing together, along with running, of course!

Jeff Bethke

Jeff Bethke

Aid station specialist

Hi, my name is Jeff and I’m one of the aid station specialists at RWP. We set up tables and supplies to make sure all participants have enough fluids during the races. From trails which fall below highways to beachheads where you may encounter some Oregon sunshine, we supply and re-supply water and supplies for all of the RWP events!

When I’m not helping with an event, I work as the registrar for Reynolds High School in Troutdale, OR. I’m also the Red Group head coach for Portland Fit. I love spending time with my spouse, Janell, and eleven year old daughter Abigail. My life long goal was to run my first marathon nine years ago. Now I love supporting runners as a coach and aid station specialist for all of Paula’s events!

Nicole Camberg

Nicole Camberg

Registration Team

Hello, I’m Nicole, I’ve been helping Run with Paula since 2011. I have enjoyed many RWP races, and love being part of the positive atmosphere at her races. At most races, you can find me helping at the registration booth along with filling-in wherever a need exists.

Aside from RWP, I’m a wife, mother of four, teach kids yoga, photographer and work in community development. I enjoy hiking and exploring with my kids, going to concerts with my teens, practicing restorative wellness and capturing all of those moments through my camera lens.

Running is something new to me. In junior high I was a short distance sprinter. As an adult I found a love for running just four years ago when I went through my own personal journey. I’ve completed many races, and am most proud of my first marathon in 2011 which I completed side-by-side my sister. One of my favorite quotes is, “There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.” Enjoy your running and walking, and come say hi at the next race!