Heart to Start meets you where you are, literally and figuratively speaking. Rather than focusing on pace or ability, we encourage taking several small steps and working toward a remarkable finish while we celebrate each other as a community along the way. Training for a 5K (3.1 miles) is the foundation of our program as we welcome walkers and runners of all paces and experience. Our 12th Season welcomed nearly 3,000 participants from across the country and around the world joining us for our free 12-week training program.

Whether you’re looking to form a more consistent movement routine around walking or running, reaching a new distance goal, or seeking social connection with a group of like-minded individuals, our program can help support you. Though aimed to help build a foundation of movement that will carry beyond our twelve weeks together, this training program has become a movement drawing in those with goals around walking or running at any pace while also inspiring others to join for the pure joy of celebrating and encouraging others. We love that!

We can’t wait to have everyone from around the world join us for a new season! Take a look at the helpful information below and when you’re ready, click the registration button to take your next step in joining our Season 13 community.

  • Our annual season gets underway in the Fall of each year as we bring the training program to you, to your home, where you live.

    • It's national and international! We welcome everyone from around the world to join the movement for these 12 weeks.

    • All modes of movement are celebrated while our program focus is training to walk or run a 5K.

    • Personalized experience based on how you are participating – virtually or in-person (Portland, OR).

    • Virtual connections through our training club app and private social media group. Participate in the conversations to be motivated and inspired.

    • Weekly emails so you don't miss important announcements. Also included are motivational messages and fun interactive invitations to help connect us across the miles.

    • Online portal. Your resource for the program, FAQs, helpful links, program schedule, suggested training plans, etc.

    • Local to Portland weekly meetups held at Catlin Gabel track in SW Portland, Oregon.

    • Enhanced audio training podcast allowing you to press play for each of your 5K interval trainings and receive prompts for pace changes, helpful tips, and entertaining music.

    • H2S Strength complements your aerobic activity with a 12-week video-based strength training series.

    • Goal event filled with fun engagement and celebration. An interactive virtual experience and an in-person (Oregon) option will be available thanks to our partnership with Hood To Coast Race Series. Registered participants of our Heart to Start program receive a 50% discount code!

    • Did we mention all the fun, celebration, and encouragement?!?

  • Important dates:

    • Registration opens October 1, 2024

    • Season begins December 1, 2024

    • In-person meetups (SW Portland, OR), 9am on Saturdays, Dec. 7 - Feb. 15

    • Registration closes December 28, 2024

    • Goal event February 22, 2025 (in-person and virtual options)

    We are proud to partner with Hood to Coast race series in offering our annual Providence Heart to Start 5K/10K event with an option to register and participate virtually or in-person in Portland, Oregon.

  • Currently, our in-person training group is available during the annual group training and is held in Portland, Oregon.

    As other groups, coordinated and managed through Providence health system locations, relaunch or become available, we will update this site with all the details.

  • SELF-LED AUDIO TRAINING PROGRAM LAUNCHING SPRING/SUMMER OF 2025!

    Following our podcast-style audio training? Access helpful resources to support your efforts - link access available at release date.

    Interested in following the training outside of our annual Nov-Feb worldwide group training? You can find our Heart to Start Audio Training on popular podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.