Kick Off Your Winter Running with the 2025/26 PRC Winter 5k Series

If you’re a year-round runner, winters can be tough. Not only are there less races to keep you motivated, but it’s also cold and dark and wet. Who wants to go out in that if you don’t have to? This is where the 2025 PPRC Winter Series comes in and pushes you out the door.

I’ve been participating in the Winter 5k Series for years now. Even when I’m in training for another long-distance race, I can always incorporate these races into my training schedule, whether it’s running some extra miles beforehand or taking it easier that weekend. And when I’m not training for anything, it’s a great way to push myself for 3.1 miles, which is a distance I don’t often race otherwise.

The concept is simple. Once a month for 3 months, Portland Running Company will host a 5k from their Beaverton location. Runners and walkers will check in at the store, meet up with friends, grab some food and/or gear, or whatever else they need, and head down the road to the start line.

From the neighborhood business streets of Beaverton, participants will head out to Greenway Park and take to the paved trails before turning around and coming back to the store. Afterwards, all participants will be treated to some hot food and coffee, not to mention raffle prizes and fun social time.

This year, the three Saturdays you want to pencil into your calendar for the 5ks are: December 13th, January 17th, and February 14th. All follow the same route from the PRC Beaverton store, and all begin at 9:00AM. You can check in as early as 7:30AM and as late as 8:45AM and there’s a gear check at each race.

You can sign up for all three or each individually, but whatever you decide, you’ll have some options to get you through the dregs of winter.

I aways look forward to the PRC Winter Series because I always see so many familiar faces there. When life gets busy, you don’t see your friends all the time, but running into your BRF (Best Running Friends) at races always connects you no matter how much time has passed. This is also a great event to convince your friends to do with you!! Last year, my husband’s cousin was visiting from Wisconsin during one of the events and I convinced him to join the fun!

Stay tuned, as I will be providing recaps following each race. I hope to see you there so you can experience it yourself.