Back to Portland Marathon Information & Reviews
T. N. from Kansas City.MO
(10/12/2007)
"What a great run in a great town!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Portland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was a great marathon. There were some parts of the course that didn't grace the city but I have found that in most places. The organization was generally top-notch and the little extras - a rose and tree to finishers - support, cheering crowds, and weather were all great. The changes: move the baggage check away from the starting area so late checkers aren't blocking the start. I know this may have been dictated by construction downtown. Also, I found drinks at the water stations confusing at best. I had not used either of the electrolyte drinks in training so it was a crap shoot as to which one to try. I didn't like either much and I guess I would have preferred water and Gatorade. Overall, I really liked the marathon and Portland is a jewel that I hope to visit again. | |
S. C. from St. Petersburg, FL
(10/11/2007)
"wonderful first marathon" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Portland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved It Loved It!! Had a wonderful 1st marathon experience in portland. Great fans, vols., and entertainment. Could have done without the headwind coming back into the start, but better than rain! Would suggest this marathon to everyone! | |
D. I. from Gainesville, Florida
(10/11/2007)
"Well done marathon!" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had heard only good things about the Portland Marathon, and I have to concur! The marathon was well organized and well supported. I stayed at the Hilton, and the start/finish were just around the corner. The spectators were friendly and supportive... the police provided traffic control... and the aid stations were plentiful. Someone even kept the fore-casted rain away until after the marathon! I am a walker and found support throughout the marathon. The course was also very well marked... which I appreciated! Thanks for a great marathon experience! | |
R. W. from Chicago, IL
(10/11/2007)
"Great course and a great city" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and I am so glad that I chose Portland. The volunteers and spectators were great, the course was a bit challenging for a flatlander from Chicago, but still completely manageable, and all in all, I had a fabulous time. | |
A. D. from NYC
(10/10/2007)
"Loved the race" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Portland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Loved the race! I agree with what others already have posted. | |
S. H. from Sunriver, Oregon
(10/10/2007)
"A must-do marathon!!" (about: 2007)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Portland Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Wonderful experience. Great organization, great volunteers, great spectators, and great entertainment. Mostly flat course that winds through of a beautiiful city. Lots of aid stations with plenty of supplement choices. Great after-finish reception and healthy food to eat. | |
H. W. from Rockville, MD
(10/10/2007)
"Good race overall" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Portland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As a visitor to Portland, I found almost everything to be very good - even that out-and-back course. My biggest complaint (and I hope they'll make a change next year) is about the walkers. Please, please, please either start the walkers later or have them in their own corral. I'm a slow runner and by the time I tried getting around the walkers (who completely forgot their etiquette), it was mile 6. I never was able to catch up with the running group. It then became de-motivating to even run while everyone around me was walking. Still, I ran almost the entire race. I think it's fine that a race promoted itself to walkers, but the director needs to segment both groups. I start in the back because I don't want faster runners to have to expend more energy to get around me. Same should go for the walkers. Portland produced a great race, nonetheless. | |
A. H. from Columbus, Ohio
(10/10/2007)
"Most walker friendly" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Portland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 WOW! This was THE most walker friendly marathon I have ever done! All of the people at the expo, all the volunteers, even the local news paper pointed out that walkers are athletes too! I have done 12 other marathons and have sometimes felt that the walkers are sub standard participants in marathons, especially according to the elitists. Just because I choose to walk and not run, makes me no less of an athlete than any of the runners. In fact, I have to have more stamina than they do in order to continue walking for 6 hours! The volunteers and crowd support were amazing! I think there were just as many volunteers as there were participants! It was great to get a rose from a volunteer, and have them say Congratulations when they gave it to me! The one thing I would change is the music along the course. I applaud all the volunteer bands, groups, etc and appreciate them being there. However, hearing Joan Baez towards mile 20 did not give me much oomph. Maybe those awesome drummers could be more towards the end, rather than the beginning of the race. Also, more groups with upbeat music styles would help. Otherwise this was an AWESOME race. Thanks to all who helped make it possible! | |
C. M. from Atlanta, GA
(10/10/2007)
"Great experience - This was my first marathon" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Everything was great except there weren't enough toilets for the first five to ten miles. The waits were about 5 minutes. A special thanks to all the volunteers. It was great to here them call out your name saying 'great job Chuck' This was a very nice touch. | |
T. L. from Dallas, Tx
(10/10/2007)
"Great Marathon - Fun City" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Portland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 21st different marathon. Pros: Long sleeved tech shirt They provided 2 electrolytes: Ultima (yech) and Glykos (good). Lots of activity on the course - very lively. St. John's bridge was gorgeous. On a scale of 1-10 for difficulty, I would say 4. Its not hilly, but where the hills are that hurts. Very organized finish area. Cons: Not enough port-o-potties at start. The lines still existed at the start of the race. The out and back stretch - I knew it would be bad, but not this bad. This stretch showcases absolutely nothing that Portland has to offer. Lowest point of the race. The expo was too crowded and chaotic. Overall, I really enjoyed this marathon and our stay in Portland. |
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