Our Ownership Team: Dave and Paula Harkin
Dave and Paula Harkin have owned and operated Portland Running Company since 2000. They opened the Run Pub and PRC's NW Portland store in 2019.
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 many marquee events including 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), Bridge of the Goddess, the Independence Day races, and the Beaverton Half Marathon. In 2018 Paula stepped up to create the once-in-a-lifetime Portlandathon when the city of Portland was without a marathon. 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 more than 30 part-time and full-time runners, walkers, and avid fitness enthusiasts.
Press links:
- Portland Athletic & Outdoor talks with Dave and Paula for "Beer & Gear."
- Succes in Running: An Interview with Dave Harkin (video)
- Oregonian business profile: "PRC Focuses on Core Beliefs to Adapt to Changing Times."
- Interview with Paula Harkin about Portlandathon (audio)
- Paula Harkin Wins Race Director of the Month-Active.com
