Local Tri Club Spotlight: Portland Multisport Community
Finding the right tri club has gotten tricky with so many options out there. As someone who joined three different clubs before finding the right fit, I learned that culture matters more than coaching credentials. The Portland Multisport Community is a club that seems to get that balance right. Today, I will share what makes them worth knowing about.
PMC has grown from 50 members in 2019 to over 400 today, making it one of the Pacific Northwest’s most active triathlon clubs. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident.
What Makes PMC Different
Club president Sarah Martinez attributes the growth to their inclusive approach. “We welcome everyone from first-time sprint triathletes to Ironman veterans,” she explains. “Our group workouts are structured so athletes of all levels can participate together.”
That is what makes PMC endearing to us community-minded triathletes — the idea that a first-timer and a Kona qualifier can show up to the same Tuesday swim and both get something out of it.
Weekly group activities include Tuesday morning swim sessions at Wilson Pool, Thursday evening track workouts, and Saturday morning long rides with different pace groups. They also run monthly “newbie nights” for anyone considering their first triathlon, which I think is brilliant. Having someone answer your dumb questions in person beats reading forum threads at midnight.
Community Impact
Beyond training, PMC has raised over $75,000 for local charities through their annual charity triathlon. They’ve also launched a youth program introducing middle and high school students to the sport. Probably should have led with this section, honestly, because this kind of community investment is what separates a real club from just a group ride with a logo.
For those interested in joining, PMC offers a free two-week trial membership. Monthly dues are $25, which includes access to all group workouts, coached sessions, and member discounts at local bike shops and running stores.
Find them at portlandmultisport.org or at any of their weekly workout sessions. If you’re in the Portland area and training solo, give them a look. Training alone gets old fast.
