Outdoors❯Running & Races

The Portland Grief House invites you to join The Lost Table, a welcoming space to gather in community, remember those we’ve lost, and share in the traditions that help us keep them close. Bring a dish, pull up a chair, and make a place at the table for the dead. Grief can be hard to understand, and sometimes what we need most is community, ritual, conversation, and food.

Together, we’ll explore how different cultures and traditions call to, honor, and make offerings to those who have died. In the spirit of Día de Muertos, we’ll create a shared space where the living and the dead can gather around the same table.

We’ll begin with a creative activity led by Mario Mesquita, inviting us to reflect on memory, food, and our relationships with those we’ve lost. Participants will be introduced to the ritual elements that will carry us through the evening.

Laura Green will lead a community conversation about intercultural traditions of Día de Muertos and other ways communities call to and remember their dead. Participants will have an opportunity to share stories, traditions, and memories, and to dedicate an offering to someone they have lost.

Bea Yeh will introduce the tradition of Hungry Ghost and lead us in making an offering to the dead. We’ll set places at our table for those who are no longer with us and share food as an act of remembrance and connection.

Our community offerings and tributes will be gathered at Ximena Morales’s altar, creating a shared space of remembrance that connects the different traditions and offerings brought into the room.

Throughout the evening, we’ll create something together through words, offerings, and remembrance. We’ll dedicate a community poem to the dead and close our gathering with a collective ritual of words, sound, and stillness.

Please bring:

• A dish to share, plus any serving utensils it needs. Consider bringing something that reminds you of a loved one or connects you to a family or cultural tradition.
• Please label your food with a card identifying any allergens or dietary considerations.
• Your own dinnerware (plate, bowl, utensils, napkin).
• A beverage for yourself, if you’d like something other than water.
• A photograph, name, or other small tribute to a loved one for the community altar, if you’d like.
• Please do not bring chips, salsa, or guacamole—Milagro will provide these.

The Portland Grief House is honored to continue this tradition, originally started by Side Yard Farm. El Centro Milagro is excited to partner with Portland Grief House to create a space for English- and Spanish-speaking community members to gather, remember, share traditions, and honor the dead together.

Schedule
4:00–4:30 PM — Opening Ritual & Activity
4:30–5:45 PM — Community Conversation & Offerings
5:45 PM — Dedication & Closing

Estimated Running Time: 3 hours
Age Recommendation: Ages 10+

The 10th Annual Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation Turkey Trot, presented by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Columbia Credit Union, takes place on a scenic route through Ridgefield, traveling through Abrams Park and along Lake River. It’s a 5K family friendly run/walk event that raises funds to help the Foundation’s efforts to provide scholarships and grant opportunities to students, teachers, and staff. Last year’s event had more than 1,000 participants, and we hope to grow our event even more this year as we support Ridgefield schools and their students.

This year’s 10th Annual Turkey Trot, presented by Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Columbia Credit Union will take place on Thursday, November 26th, starting with the Drumstick Dash—a short run for children ages 5 and under and not yet in kindergarten —at 8:45 am. The main event, a 5K run/walk, follows at 9:00 am. Both events will begin and end at Union Ridge Elementary School in downtown Ridgefield.

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While the Turkey Trot is a fun run/walk without a formal timer, participants are encouraged to enjoy the spirit of the event and work up an appetite for their Thanksgiving feast.

Race packet pick up and in-person registration will be held on Wednesday, November 25th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, and again on race day from 7:45 to 8:45 am in the Union Ridge Elementary School Gym. A limited number of extra T-shirts will be available for purchase during in-person registration.

To ensure you get a race T-shirt, please register by Wednesday, November 11th. Additionally, we encourage participants to bring nonperishable food items to packet pick-up for donation to the Ridgefield Family Resource Center. Each item donated will earn you a ticket for a chance to win $100 in local restaurant gift cards.

All proceeds from the event will be equally shared between the Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation and the Ridgefield Family Resource Center, making this a great way to give back to our community while embracing the Thanksgiving spirit. See you there!

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RACE DETAILS

DRUMSTICK DASH

Once again our Turkey Trot will feature a Drumstick Dash, a short run for our youngest participants ages 5 and under (not yet in kindergarten). We will make an announcement at 8:40 am for any children interested in participating to report to the starting line. The Drumstick Dash will begin at 8:45 am.

5K FUN RUN/WALK

Our main event, the 5K run/walk, will get started at 9 am. Those who are planning to run should position themselves at the front of the crowd, closest to the starting line. Walkers, please make way for runners who are trying to move to the front. There is no official timer for our fun run/walk event, so those interested in knowing their finish times should plan to use their own watches to time themselves. For safety, please keep in mind that at certain points on the route you may be asked to stop for vehicle traffic (vehicles have the right of way during the Turkey Trot) so finish times could be impacted.

5K ROUTE:

The course begins on 5th Ave. at Union Ridge Elementary and then heads down to Abrams Park and continues northeast along the trail bordering Gee Creek. From there the route takes participants up Heron Drive to Main Ave. It then continues south to the corner of Main & Pioneer and takes participants down to the Ridgefield waterfront via the railroad overpass. Participants will follow the course along Lake River and turn around near the south end of Carty Lake. The course then continues in reverse, back up to the corner of Main & Pioneer, where participants will head north for one block before heading east up Simons St. to finish back at Union Ridge Elementary.

EVENT SAFETY NOTE

Roads remain open throughout the event. Please stay to the right on roads and use sidewalks whenever possible. Once again, this is a family friendly fun run/walk event. Participants may be subject to brief waits for vehicle traffic. Since roads remain open, vehicle traffic does have the right away.

BRING ITEMS FOR THE RIDGEFIELD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

The Ridgefield Family Resource Center is seeking non-perishable foods (especially cereal, rice, pasta sauce, canned fruit, canned meat, and canned pasta meals) as well as new socks and stretchy knit gloves. For each item (non-perishable food items, pairs of socks, and pairs of gloves) brought to packet pick-up/in-person registration on Wednesday or Thursday morning, you will receive one ticket for entry into a prize drawing for $100 of local restaurant gift cards.

T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

For any participants who do not meet the T-shirt registration deadline of Nov. 12th at 10 pm, a limited number of T-shirts will be available for purchase at packet pick-up/in-person registration at a cost of $5 each.

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EVENT PARKING

Parking will be available at Union Ridge Elementary, the RACC, and the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene. Street parking throughout downtown Ridgefield is also an option for participants.

The Portland Grief House invites you to join The Lost Table, a resilient, welcoming space to gather in community and share experiences of loss. Bring a dish, pull up a chair, and share your heart in good company. Grief can be hard to understand, and sometimes what is needed most is community, conversation, and food. During the gathering, each participant will have a few minutes to share their grief in whatever way feels right—whether it's someone who is missed, something that has changed, a loss being carried, or an experience that continues to shape. While one person shares, the rest will listen with care and presence. Save time at the end of the evening to thank one another and connect, but please refrain from interrupting or responding during the sharing portion.

Día de Muertos and the month of November invite you to reflect on and remember loved ones who have passed—a time to celebrate their lives and meet death not with fear, but with love, memory, storytelling, and even humor. Mario Mesquita will lead an opening creative activity exploring memory and the role of cuisine in honoring loved ones, building toward a collective community tribute. Participants are welcome to bring a photograph of a loved one or create an offering featuring their loved one's name.

Bea Ogden will present the Hungry Ghost tradition and make an offering for the community ofrenda, opening a cultural exchange around how different traditions honor and remember the dead. Mario and Bea will also guide participants in writing a community poem, inviting each person to contribute a line or dedication to place on the altar.

Please bring:

• A dish to share, along with any serving utensils it requires. You're welcome to bring something simple—such as a bag of chips or fresh fruit—or a favorite dish that reminds you of a loved one.
• Your own dinnerware (plate, bowl, utensils, and napkin).
• Optional: A beverage for yourself if you would like something other than water.
• Optional: A photograph of a loved one to include in our community tribute

The Portland Grief House is honored to continue this tradition, originally started by Side Yard Farm. El Centro Milagro is excited to partner with Portland Grief House to create a welcoming space for both English- and Spanish-speaking community members to gather, remember, and heal together.

Portland Grief House les invita a unirse a La Mesa Perdida, un espacio resiliente y acogedor para reunirnos en comunidad y compartir nuestras experiencias de pérdida. Traigan un platillo, acerquen una silla y compartan su corazón en buena compañía. El duelo puede ser difícil de comprender y, a veces, lo que más necesitamos es comunidad, conversación y comida. Durante el encuentro, cada participante tendrá unos minutos para compartir su duelo de la manera que le resulte más natural: alguien a quien extrañamos, algo que ha cambiado, una pérdida que llevamos con nosotros, o una experiencia que sigue marcando nuestra vida. Mientras una persona comparte, el resto escucha con atención y presencia. Guardaremos tiempo al final de la noche para agradecer y conectar, pero pedimos que los participantes se abstengan de interrumpir ni de responder durante el momento de compartir.

El Día de Muertos y el mes de noviembre nos invitan a reflexionar y recordar a nuestros seres queridos fallecidos—un tiempo para celebrar sus vidas y enfrentar la muerte no con miedo, sino con amor, memoria, relatos e incluso humor. Mario Mesquita dirigirá una actividad creativa de apertura que explora la memoria y el papel de la cocina para honrar a nuestros seres queridos, construyendo hacia un tributo colectivo. Los participantes pueden traer una fotografía de un ser querido, o crear una ofrenda con el nombre de su ser querido.

Bea Ogden presentará la tradición del Fantasma Hambriento y hará una ofrenda a nuestra ofrenda comunitaria, abriendo un intercambio cultural sobre cómo distintas tradiciones honran y recuerdan a los difuntos. Mario y Bea también guiarán a los participantes en la escritura de un poema comunitario, invitando a cada persona a aportar una línea o dedicatoria para colocar en el altar.

Por favor traigan:

• Un platillo para compartir, junto con los utensilios de servir que necesite. Algo sencillo es bienvenido—como una bolsa de papas fritas o fruta fresca—o un platillo favorito que les recuerde a un ser querido.
• Su propia vajilla (plato, tazón, cubiertos y servilleta).
• Una bebida para ustedes mismos, si desean algo más que agua.
• Una fotografía de un ser querido para incluir en nuestro tributo comunitario (opcional).

Portland Grief House se siente honrado de continuar esta tradición, iniciada originalmente por Side Yard Farm. El Centro Milagro se emociona de asociarse con Portland Grief House para crear un espacio acogedor donde los miembros de las comunidades de habla inglesa y española puedan reunirse, recordar y sanar juntos.

Jessa and Kristin are your leaders for Beaverton's easygoing Monday-night run/walk. All paces and abilities welcome. Weather-permitting, we'll use the Fann

Questions? Email: [email protected]

Since 2002, Clark County families have met for a fun run together on Thanksgiving morning. As the run grew in popularity, the families decided to organize the event and use the opportunity to give back to the community. Now, 1,250 racers join us each year and 100% of the proceeds benefit Clark County Food Bank, which provide the resources for roughly 140,000 meals every Thanksgiving!

Turkey Trot 2025 will be at Salmon Creek Trail, with both races starting at Klineline Pond at 9 am on Thanksgiving morning! The course follows a flat, mostly paved trail that weaves between areas of forest and open meadows. The course will be clearly marked with directions and exact mile markers for both the 5k and 10k races. Water stations will be at the start/finish line, as well as the 10k turnaround. There will also be a first aid station located at the start/finish line.

All registered racers receive timing chips in their race packets, which will electronically track the racer’s time. Chips are then attached to the outermost layer of clothing above the waist. This method ensures accurate timing and creates an easy, quick way for race officials to post times and rankings online following the event.

Turkey Trot has two race day options: a 5k walk/run and a 10k run. Both races begin at 9:00 am on Thanksgiving morning, and take place along the same course. There will usually be around a 5 minute delay between the start of the 10k and 5k races. All age groups are welcome and encouraged to participate! Food (bagels, donuts, bananas, etc.) and coffee will be provided the morning of the race. Special prizes will also be handed out to racers that come dressed in crazy, fun, or Thanksgiving themed costumes!

• Community members 50 and up
• Aging Solo Seniors
• Anyone who cares for someone age 50 and up
• Businesses and Organizations that work with clients ages 50 and up or caregivers
• Businesses and Organizations that offer products and services for clients age 50 and up or caregivers
• EVERYONE IS WELCOME feel free to share the information, social media posts on Villages Clark County or the attached flyer

HOPE Dementia Support presents “Meet Me at the Movies” at the Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. A different musical will start at 1:00 p.m. on the second Friday of every month. Visit kigginstheatre.com to see what musical will be shown next. The cost is $10 per person.

All are welcome for this fun community run and walking group, held on the first Saturday of every month. This is a free community group, so anyone can join the runners or walkers at no cost. It's a great Milwaukie Running Club group. The sauna social after the run is offered at half price: just $14.50. Capacity is limited to the first 20 sign-ups, so you are encouraged to sign up in advance.

The light pace is great for beginners, and set by the group. If a few people want to go slower or faster, the group will split into different-paced pods. Simply show up just before 8 a.m., run or walk for about an hour, then enjoy sauna time together at half price afterward.

Soak up that steam and the cold contrast for muscle recovery, improved circulation and enhanced running performance. Meet rain or shine and always make sure everyone is feeling safe and supported. Keep up that momentum toward your 2026 goals with this guided route — run or walk.

Led by Portland native Justine @runwithms

A safe place where ALL are welcome to be themselves. Find support, eat snacks, get creative, discuss favorite books, and more! Bring a friend, or make a new one. For grades 5-8.

Queer Youth Club is a youth-run club for that unites LGBTQIA+ and allied youth from neighboring schools. Email [email protected] for more information.

Wacheno Welcome Center Conference Room (WC225) Monday, November 16, 2026, 12 – 1pm Join NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for our weekly club meetings. We meet on Mondays, from noon – 1 p.m. in the Multicultural Center, room 161, located in the Wacheno Welcome Center, Oregon City Campus. Come for friendship, laughs, and community, because your mental health matters.

This BIPOC support space is facilitated by Sielo Kaí Solar (he/him/el), a peer support worker who identifies as 2S, trans, disabled, mixed race, and a first-generation Mexican-American. As an artist, abolitionist, and community-centered facilitator, Sielo brings a warm, creative, and welcoming energy to the space.

Participants are invited to gather in a relaxed and flexible environment to snack, make art, chat, and play games as they wish. This space is intended to foster connection, creativity, and community care, allowing everyone to show up as they are and engage in ways that feel most comfortable.

This 5k race takes you on a holiday-themed journey through the lights of the Sunshine Division Winter Wonderland. The perfect way to kick off Thanksgiving weekend. Like thousands of others, make the HTC Turkey Trot an annual tradition with your family and friends.

There will be 2 Family 5K waves, 1 Competitive 5K wave and 2 Kids Fun Run waves. Please register for your preferred start time.

Join us for a Death Café—an open, group-directed conversation about death with no set agenda or themes. This is a space for thoughtful discussion, not a grief support or counseling session. Together, we’ll explore ideas and questions about death and dying in a respectful, welcoming environment.

The Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation 10th annual Turkey Trot. An untimed 5K run/walk plus the Drumstick Dash for kids 5 and under. Proceeds split between the Foundation and the Ridgefield Family Resource Center. Earn the pie.

The National Alliance on Mental Health Southwest Washington offers a Veterans Support Group from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of every month at 907 Harney St., Vancouver. Learn more at namiswwa.org.

The BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) affinity group meets on the 2nd Sunday of the month after service. We hope you can join us!

HOPE Dementia Support Group is a weekly support group for those caring for people with all types of dementia. The group meets 1-3 p.m. Thursdays at Battle Ground Senior Center, 116 N.E. Third Ave., Battle Ground.

HOPE Dementia Support Group is a weekly support group for those caring for individuals living with all types of dementia. Held virtually Wednesday afternoons via Zoom from 1 to 3 p.m.

A welcoming community meet for runners and power walkers gathers on the first Saturday of each month. Participation is free and open to all, with a beginner friendly pace set by the group. If different speeds emerge, participants split into smaller pace pods so everyone can move comfortably. This Milwaukie Running Club group follows a guided route and keeps the tone light and fun. Afterward, a sauna social is available at a reduced rate of $14.50, limited to the first 20 sign ups, and advance sign up is encouraged. Completing the liability waiver ahead of time can make check in faster. Led by Portland native Justine @runwithms, the post session steam and cold contrast are highlighted for muscle recovery, improved circulation, and enhanced running performance. The group meets rain or shine and emphasizes a safe, supportive experience for all.

Reach out to Carol to join: [email protected]

Meets in person every Third Monday 12:30pm - 2:25pm in the Library

A safe place where ALL are welcome to be themselves. Find support, eat snacks, get creative, discuss favorite books, and more! Bring a friend, or make a new one. For grades 5-8.

Queer Youth Club is a youth-run club for that unites LGBTQIA+ and allied youth from neighboring schools.

Join us each month to discuss infant and toddler feeding in a supportive, community environment. Led by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), this group covers a wide range of topics, including breast/bodyfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding, introducing solids, and weaning.

Because feeding is deeply connected to daily life, we also welcome open discussions on related parenting topics such as sleep patterns, soothing a crying baby, and navigating the postpartum adjustment. Come connect, share experiences, and get expert guidance on your family's feeding journey.

Enjoy a Sunday morning fun run covering 4 to 6 miles at a conversational pace, followed by a coffee social with good company.

This is the only SE run group in the city! Live, work or play in our area? Come join us! We're a silly bunch of runners that like to run and imbibe. A lot

Offering recovery services for ages 14-35:

• Peer Mentoring
• Treatment
• Housing
• Mental Health
• Family Support

Villages Clark County Has offers Aging Solo in Clark County, a group for seniors age 50 and up, anyone who cares for someone age 50 and up and businesses and organizations that work with clients age 50 and up. The group meets from 1:30-3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at the 40 et 8 Boxcar Room, 2809 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver. A different topic will be explored each month. Attendance is free but donations are welcome. Questions? Contact Christina Keys at [email protected] or call 360-358-5018.

Dementia-Friendly Clark County hosts a Memory Cafe at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of the month at Prairie Tavern, 14925 N.E. Caples Rd., Brush Prairie. Memory Cafe provides a welcoming space for people living with dementia and their caregivers to socialize, enjoy refreshments and participate in activities. Sign up at eventbrite.com or call 360-513-5754.

Did you recently have a baby? Do you have questions? Are you feeling all the feelings? Join postpartum doula Krystal Williams for a program of connection and caring for new moms. No registration required. Meets in the Community Room.

Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.

Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.

Weekly run club / running club group run. Published recurring schedule. Check the organizer for holiday exceptions, cancellations, and participation requirements.

The National Alliance on Mental Health Southwest Washington offers an LGBTQIA+ Support Group at 3 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month, via Zoom. Learn more and get Zoom links at namiswwa.org.

Free, weekly group run with Portland Running Company. Easygoing and social. 4–6 miles on street and Greenway Bike Path.

Our mission is to provide a safe, compassionate, and inclusive space where individuals experiencing grief can find understanding, connection, and community. Through shared experiences, emotional support, and guided healing resources, we aim to empower each person to navigate their grief at their own pace. We honor every story, validate every emotion, and walk alongside one another as we move toward renewed strength, resilience, and meaning.

Please contact Vishal Nair at 360.823.9208 or [email protected] with any questions!

HOPE Dementia Support Group, 10 a.m. to noon Mondays at Cogir at The Quarry, 415 S.E. 177th Ave., Vancouver, is for those caring for individuals living with all types of dementia. Call 360-513-5754 with questions.

Join Run TRG at Duniway Track for an evening track run! All skill and experience levels welcome!

This relaxed evening at the Clubhouse offers moms and caregivers of neurodivergent teens and adults a welcoming space for conversation, snacks, and connection with people who understand. The gathering is grounded in acceptance, understanding, and kindness, and participants are welcome to come as they are and stay for as long as they like. Nonalcoholic beverages will be available, and guests may bring their own drinks. Registered participants will receive an email with options for adding food to a group delivery order. Please register in advance so organizers can prepare a comfortable space.

A free men’s support group meets from 6-7:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at Playmakers Sports Bar & Grill, 4327 S. Settler Drive, Suite 100, Ridgefield.

The nonprofit TBI4Life Support Group for Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury and their friends and family meets from 2-4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month in Conference Room 202 of the Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Office Building. RSVP by calling 564-236-5620. For more details, visit www.tbi4life.com.

Loss of a Child Peer Support Group, hosted by NWCAVE, is a peer-led support group for families navigating the loss of a child for any reason. The group offers a safe space where people can openly share their experiences and support each other. The group meets from 6-7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month and from 2-4 p.m. on the last Sunday of every month at NAMI Southwest Washington, 4201 N.E. 66th Ave., Suite 105, Vancouver. Online attendance is available. For details, call NWCAVE at 360-852-8019 or email [email protected].

HOPE Dementia Support Group is a weekly support group for those caring for individuals living with all types of dementia. Held on Monday afternoons at Highgate Senior Living, 9803 NE Hazel Dell Ave., from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

NAMI hosts a Family Support Group every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

This Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences.

NAMI’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to be heard and have proper support.

Event is free of cost. No specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed. Confidential. For more information visit namiswwa.org.

Every Thursday night join a fun group of runners for a 4–6 mile waterfront or neighborhood run, followed by a $3 pint at our in-store pub! Ages 21 or older, please.

HOPE Dementia Support Group is a weekly support group for those caring for individuals living with all types of dementia from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at Columbia Presbyterian Church, 805 S.E. Columbia Ridge Dr., Vancouver.

NAMI Connection is a recovery support group for adults living with mental illness. Online meetings are 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursdays weekly via Zoom. Register at us02web.zoom.us.

HOPE Dementia Support meets 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays at Fairway Village Clubhouse, 15509 S.E. Fernwood Dr., Vancouver. Call 360-513-5754 with questions.