The Portland Marathon is well known as the “best race in October.” Clearly, many runners agree since thousands of people register for the early October event each year.
Since this is a qualifying race for those who want to win entrance to the Boston Marathon, this is one of the more competitive events held in the U.S. Racers come from across the country and many have been training for years with their eye on the Boston Marathon.
Yet, there is definitely a place for those running their very first marathon as well. Runner’s World actually called this most friendly marathon for walkers in 2008. Wheelchair participants and walkers are more than welcome!
Sometimes breaking your own personal record or just making it to the finish time before it closes down can be a feat worth celebrating. Portland, Oregon is a great place for runners of all speeds!
Portland Marathon Course
For many, the highlight of the Portland Marathon course is crossing over the St. Johns Bridge. This is an amazing suspension bridge that brings many tourists to a standstill to snap pictures. You probably won’t be carrying your camera long on the race, but you will get a breathtaking view of the bridge before you cross over it.
The rest of the course offers varied terrain some spectacular scenery to take in. The course goes over a bluff, along the riverfront, and through smaller residential areas. Racers get to see all aspects of the city over the course of the run.
While there are no tremendous elevations to be faced in the Portland Marathon, racers should prepare for some hills. The elevation stays below 150 degrees and most of the hills that are encountered are very gradual.
There are also quite a few downhill sectors within the course, so it is not just a perfectly straight terrain. This makes the course more entertaining and fun to run for some, but it could present a challenge that needs to be trained for by many other racers.
The starting point for the race is in downtown Portland, but the ending point is in Naito Parkway by the river. This highlights the diversity of scenery that is encountered along the route. It goes from an urban environment to more rural areas and smaller residential areas.
Yet, the course was designed to stick to wider roadways and minimize turns so racers will have plenty room to spread out and run at their best pace.
There is also an alternate course, which allows some participants to start the race after the 21st mile. This is a great idea for walkers or those who do not feel they can properly train to complete the entire marathon within a reasonable time.
Portland Marathon Training Plan
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Registration and Race
You can register for the Portland Marathon online, but note that there are separate sign-up categories for walkers and runners. The price of entry is the same for walkers and runners, but you have to sign up with the appropriate form so you can be entered, timed and lined up appropriately on race day.
The race is known to sometimes sell out early, so you should consider registering as soon as you decide to take on the challenge. This ensures your spot in the race in the event it does fill up fast in your race year.
Packet pickup for participants is at the Sports & Fitness Expo, which runs the entire weekend of the race. This is held at the downtown Hilton Hotel in Portland. The Expo is a great place to go for relaxation and fun before the big event.
Many racers go through the stands looking for free samples and information on running related products they haven’t tried out yet. It is also a great place to socialize and meet up with other participants.
The Portland Marathon has been considered one of the top marathons in the U.S. for many years. It is well organized, including an email list participants can subscribe to for regular updates prior to the race. Every mile of the race feels like a party with so many entertainment options, but the real party doesn’t start until you cross the finish line.
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