The Portland Marathon event includes a full marathon as well as a half marathon. Both races start and finish at Portland's Waterfront Park at 1000 SW Naito Pkwy at the intersection of Naito Pkwy and Salmon Street. Both courses offer a fast elevation profile with the start/finish line only 36 feet above sea level, and a maximum course elevation of just 178 feet.
The Portland Marathon was the 28th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 26th largest in 2022.
This year 5% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 6.1% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Portland Marathon the 303rd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 279th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 98.00 ranks it as the 322nd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 8th fastest course in Oregon.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Portland Marathon a PR Score of 98.00. This PR Score ranks it as the 263rd fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 7th fastest in Oregon.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Portland Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 178 feet (54m) Min Elevation: 30 feet (9m)
Overall for a race and expo, the experience is great. The expo is superb, and the course has good spectator support along the route. There is a lot to see and experience. The race organizers are the same as Revel races, so it is incredibly well done. The one drawback is it's very hilly (unless you like that).
Race Tips
Relentless hills throughout. Be ready mentally for that.
Staying just across the reviver from downtown worked well for our group.
AO's review of 2019 Portland Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Sum total: I loved it. Some things will be worked out as the race gets settled but for a first time race the organization did a great job, with generous swag, great course support and an interesting course.
Pros: great organization with responsive management, beautiful city course in a combo of urban and scenic views, pacers ran a few minutes under BQ times as is required these days, great swag!, lovely rolling hills course, great post-race refreshment/entertainment, Nuun Endurance instead of the Gatorade crap every other race uses, aid stations every mile in the second half
Cons: so many 90-degree turns (75, by the pacer's count), it became really hard to run the tangents because they were always crowded; I heard complaints that the fastest marathoners ran into half-marathon walkers and were slowed by the congestion (but no trouble for me); not a lot of music or spectators on the course since it's new, but the locals were very friendly and I assume this will grow as the marathon becomes more stable
Race Tips
Expo is small and not a lot of swag for sale, so purchase whatever you think you might need (like gloves!!) before you come rather than assuming it will be at the expo. The course is gentle rollers that are barely noticeable in the first 16 miles, and not worth stressing over. Total elevation is 900 ft with a net-zero elevation change. If you pamper yourself training on flat terrain, yes, you will probably suffer. But it didn't feel at all like a hilly course. The later part of the course has the steeper hills. Temp was mid-40s at the start and into the 50s during the race, but some areas were quite cold (mile 17-18, mile 13) due to winds. All-in-all the climate was helpful and contributed to a good race.
I didn't find that it was difficult to book a hotel pretty close to race date, but there was very little event pricing so do not expect that the sponsoring hotels will give you an event deal. Expect to spend $175-225/night on a good hotel, and just a little less (around $150-160/night) on a crappy run-down hotel. I chose to spend a little more and get a hotel with free breakfast, a pool and great service (Hyatt) and I don't regret it. Lots of hotels 5 minutes from the start line, but this is not a location where you will get a deal on lodging. Bad hotels are only slightly less pricey than great hotels, for some reason. I found downtown Portland to have a nice selection of food for pre-race meals, within walking distance of the start line.
AO's review of 2019 Portland Marathon.
3 /
5 Stars
Review
Well-organized, good swag, great pacers, good weather for marathons. Probably the most unfriendly race I've ever been at. No spectators, no music, no cheering, no camaraderie from the other runners, silent start line and lonely finish area. None of that chatting with strangers over your shared accomplishment while you have your free beer, not one person tried to be friendly. The course is nice and you can achieve a good PR or qualifying time, but you'll have to do it without support.
Race Tips
There are a huge number of 90-degree turns but the race is very small so you don't have trouble running the tangents. The elevation is spread out very evenly and isn't as bad as it looks when you see the 900 ft.
Portland has many hotels that are more like brothels or SROs. Don't try to go cheap, just pay for an overpriced room by the start line so you're safe. Don't try to take public transit to the race, it's unreliable and unsafe. There is absolutely no need to arrive early, it's a very small race and there was really no wait for porta-potties. No staging, so you can just walk onto the course whenever you're ready.
CN's review of 2017 Portland Marathon.
1 /
5 Stars
Review
This will be the last year I run the Portland Marathon. I ran this marathon 2 years ago and it was great, but they have done nothing but go downhill since then. This year they had to change the course because of a couple mistakes they made last year and it is now an in and out course on the most boring section of the original run where the fans can't even reach. I wasn't even planning to run the Portland because they miss-measured the course last year but the marathon I had planned to run was cancelled last minute. I had to sign up 2 days before at the expo and the experience was awful. I had emailed ahead of time to check if I would be able to register and what the cost would be. I was told I would and that there would be no cost increase so it would cost $145. The person at the expo charged $170 even though I told her I emailed and was told it would be $145. I was so upset I almost didn't register, but you don't spend all that time training for a marathon to just not run one. My bib looks awful as well. I expected it would not be beautifully printed with my name because I sign up so late, but you can barely even read my name at the bottom of the bib and there is another word completely scratched out. I don'™t know what is going on to cause this marathon to go downhill so quickly but I certainly will not be wasting my time or training with it again.
Changed last minute to out and back. Ran along warehouses, factories, and highway. Bands played slow music better suited for brunch. Roads very rough and hard on feet. Saw very little of city sights. Huge hill near bridge.
3.6 Stars from 13 Reviews
