Industry Spotlight: Jeff Merrill
President of the Portland Track Festival
Published May 27, 2025
Written by: Carolina Nascimento
In the May 2025 industry spotlight, the Events & Film Office is excited to feature Jeff Merrill, the President of Portland Track—an organization known for producing the Portland Track Festival (PTF) and championing the intersection of athletics, storytelling, and community.
Now in its 16th year, PTF returns on June 14 & 15, 2025, at Lewis & Clark College. A recipient of the Events & Film Scale-Up Grant, PTF has become more than a meet—it’s a world-class celebration of human achievement rooted in Portland’s unique culture and values.
Jeff’s journey to Portland began in 2012 with a Greyhound bus ride from Seattle. Driven by a dream to work in the running industry, he landed a role at Nike, where he worked for eight years. What kept him here? The city’s spirit, and he describes Portland as a “wilderness outpost” rich in creativity, individuality, and inclusivity. Whether it’s the thriving food and art scene, the proximity to nature, or the pride people take in their craft, it’s these qualities that make Portland feel like home. “There's everything I want in a city... and I can drop out of it and be in the mountains, the Gorge, the wilderness in less than an hour.”
Jeff, a runner himself, first joined Portland Track in 2008 as a board member and stepped into the role of President in 2022. What drew him most to the organization was its commitment to creative storytelling. “I wanted to be involved with an organization that is creative in how they approach the sport,” he says. “We work hard to maintain an environment that allows others to be creative. That’s what Portland Track gave me—and that’s what we want to offer others.”
PTF is a true team effort, with leadership from Meet Director Tate Schienbein, support from 14 board members, and collaboration with local running clubs. And while it’s grounded in the sport of running, the event transcends competition, turning personal achievements into collective celebration.
For Jeff, racing and large-scale events are far more than logistical feats—they’re mirrors and amplifiers of a city’s identity. “Events are a window to the outside world, showing what the city is about,” he says.
The impact of PTF reaches far beyond local borders. With over 31 Olympians from 23 countries competing last year and a free global broadcast watched in over 100 countries, PTF is a world-class celebration of human achievement rooted right here in Portland.
When it comes to advice for aspiring event producers, Jeff keeps it grounded: “Think about the people you’re creating for, when you make decisions in their interest, great things happen.”
He encourages producers to take the long view: “Don’t try to do everything at once. One of our guiding principles is to 'plant trees under whose shade we may never sit.’” For Jeff and the Portland Track team, success isn’t measured just by the present moment—it’s in building something enduring for the future. They are helping shape not just athletic events, but how Portland shows up on a global stage—creative, inclusive, and proud. Through intentional storytelling, collaborative leadership, and a deep love for the city, Jeff is making sure Portland keeps running—in every sense of the word.
To follow along with this year’s Portland Track Festival, visit portlandtrack.com and follow @pdxtrack!