15th Annual MLK Dream Run Weekend
Together We Win.
September 19–20, 2026 | Portland Community College Cascade Campus

The MLK Dream Run is more than a race. For 15 years, it has brought runners, walkers, families, businesses and community partners together in the heart of North and Northeast Portland.

The MLK Dream Run is an annual fundraiser benefiting the Soul District Business Association and our work supporting small businesses and the next generation of entrepreneurs.

​

Your participation helps support:

Small Business Training & Support — Business coaching, technical assistance, meaningful referrals, branding, marketing, promotion and access to resources that help local businesses grow and thrive.

Youth Entrepreneurship & Workforce Development — Hands-on opportunities for young people ages 16–24 to build professional skills, gain real-world experience, explore entrepreneurship and learn what it takes to successfully operate a business.

Whether you run, walk, volunteer, shop, move, dance or simply come out to support the community, there is a place for you at MLK Dream Run Weekend.

Saturday, September 19 — Kickoff + Movement Market
10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Portland Community College Cascade Campus
705 N Killingsworth Street, Portland, Oregon 97217

 

Start MLK Dream Run Weekend with a full day of movement, wellness, small business, music and community.

Throughout the day, enjoy Pre-Race Packet Pickup & Onsite Race Registration, live music and DJs, small business vendors, health and wellness activities, pickleball and interactive recreation, health screenings, homeownership education, small business resources, raffles and more.

​

Saturday Featured Events

​

Little Dreamers Dash
10:00–10:45 AM | FREE Kids Race • Ages 9 & Under

Our youngest dreamers get a race of their own! Check-in and warm-up begin at 10:00 AM, with the Little Dreamers Dash starting at 10:30 AM. Families and community members are encouraged to cheer our young runners through the finish and stay for awards and participant recognition.

​

Portland Soo Bahk Do: Martial Arts in Motion
11:00–11:30 AM | All Ages • No Experience Necessary

Experience the Korean martial art of Soo Bahk Do with Master Charles Smith and Portland Soo Bahk Do students. Watch demonstrations of forms, sparring, self-defense and board breaking—then join in! Audience members will have an opportunity to learn basic movements and even try breaking a re-breakable board.

​

Strong Minds: An Exercise in Effective Problem Solving
11:30 AM–12:00 PM | Interactive Activity • Middle School & Up

Healthy bodies and healthy minds go hand in hand. Join facilitators Nia Bradley, Esther Paul and Atika Khurana from the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health for a fun, interactive activity exploring practical ways to approach challenges, solve problems and strengthen the skills we use in everyday life.

​

Nike Shake Out
1:30–2:30 PM | 3K–5K Run/Walk • All Paces Welcome

Get race-day ready with Team Nike! Shake out those pre-race jitters with a relaxed 3K–5K run or walk, preview portions of Sunday’s race course and test-run the latest Nike running shoes on the streets—not just in the store.

Find your pace, feel the course and get ready for Sunday. All paces are welcome, and you don’t have to be racing Sunday to participate.

​

Exercise Our Rights — ’80s-Inspired Jazzercise Workout
3:00–3:30 PM | All Ages • All Fitness Levels

Exercise your body. Exercise your voice. Exercise your rights.

Join Dr. Jennifer Black and Eric Pelvin of Fulcrum Fitness for a fun, high-energy Jazzercise-style workout set to your favorite ’80s hits, connecting movement with the importance of exercising our voices on issues that matter to our communities and concern us all.

Come ready to move, laugh and sweat. ’80s workout gear highly encouraged!

​

Cool Down + Community Social — Hosted by Widmer
3:30–5:00 PM | Hospitality Tent

Keep the energy going and make some new connections! Young and old are invited to join us for music, conversation and community. Meet someone new, reconnect with friends or simply unwind after the workout.

Complimentary refreshments will be available, including alcoholic beverages for guests 21+ and non-alcoholic options.

Workout participation is not required. Come for the workout, the conversation—or both.

Sunday, September 20 — Race Day + Finish Line Celebration
7:00 AM–12:00 PM
Portland Community College Cascade Campus
705 N Killingsworth Street, Portland, Oregon 97217

 

Sunday is race day!

Run or walk the USATF-certified 5K, 10K or 15K through Portland’s historic Soul District, or come out to cheer on the runners and celebrate with the community.

​

Race Day Schedule

7:00–8:00 AM — Runner Check-In • Warm-Ups • Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:00 AM — 15K Race Begins
8:10 AM — 10K Race Begins
8:20 AM — 5K Race Begins

​

Race to Win — Alaska Airlines Round-Trip Tickets

​

There’s more than one way to win at the MLK Dream Run!

The overall fastest male and female finishers in each race distance — 5K, 10K and 15K — will each receive a round-trip ticket courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

That means six overall race winners will each receive a round-trip ticket!

And you don’t have to be the fastest to win. Two additional round-trip tickets will be awarded through a random drawing from eligible race finishers and volunteers.

​

Finish Line Celebration

​

The celebration continues as runners return to campus. Enjoy live music and DJs, food and snacks, awards presentations, raffle prizes, Movement Market activities and plenty of community movement, mixing and mingling.

And yes — our racers can look forward to a Dave’s Killer Bread grilled cheese after crossing the finish line!

Run. Walk. Volunteer. Cheer. Move With Us.

For 15 years, the MLK Dream Run has been about more than crossing a finish line. It’s about supporting local businesses, investing in young people, promoting health and wellness and bringing community together.

The Dream is still moving.

Together We Win.

​

​

 

Benefiting the: