If you don’t want to read everything, here are the most important 4 things about the Portland Marathon Route
√ Race Date: The Portland Marathon will take place on October 6, 2024.
√ Start Time: The marathon will begin at 7:00 AM and the half marathon will begin at 7:15 AM.
√ Course: The course maps are available for viewing.
√ Live Tracking Presented by TOYOTA: Live tracking of the athletes will be available with text alerts. You can track the athletes here.
Pro´s:
- ✅ High-Quality Low Cut Socks
- ✅ Cushioned Athletic Socks
- ✅ Arch Support
Con:
- ❌ You don´t want to run with normal socks anymore
Do you want to find out more? You’re welcome, just watch this video!
And if you still can’t get enough then we look forward to taking you on our runfitjourney through the Portland Marathon route!
Portland Marathon Route: Find out the most important things in 7 points!
- 🏁Start Line
- 🏢NW 23rd Ave and Pearl District
- 🏟️Rose Quarter and Soda Center
- 🌳Sellwood-Moreland and Eastermoreland
- 🏛️Reed College and Brooklyn
- 🌉Eastpank Esplanade
- 🏅Finish Line
1. 🏁Start Line
The Portland Marathon presented by OHSU Health begins at Waterfront Park and heads west on Salmon St to Lownsdale Square, before turning right to travel north on SW 4th Ave through the heart of downtown.
2. 🏢NW 23rd Ave and Pearl District
After leaving downtown, the route jogs west to the eclectic NW 23rd Ave where runners will enjoy the uniquely Portland landmarks of Salt & Straw ice cream parlor and the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium. Runners then return east and make their way through the revitalized Pearl District to the Broadway Bridge.
3. 🏟️Rose Quarter and Soda Center
Crossing the Broadway Bridge, the route enters the Rose Quarter, home of the historied Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Moda Center. Runners will get an up-close tour of the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers, as they run through the middle of campus on the famous Center Court Street.
4. 🌳Sellwood-Moreland and Eastermoreland
Using the Sellwood Bridge, runners enter the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood, where they will reach the half marathon mark while enjoying the breathtaking views from the bluff on Sellwood Blvd. The route then uses Bybee Blvd to enter the charming and historic Eastmoreland neighborhood.
5. 🏛️Reed College and Brooklyn
After running through the campus of Reed College, the route heads west to re-enter Sellwood-Moreland. Runners then use Milwaukie Ave to travel north into the quaint Brooklyn neighborhood, where they will run underneath the Ross Island Bridge.
6. 🌉Eastpank Esplanade
The route then connects onto the beautiful Eastbank Esplanade and runs along the banks of the river as it passes underneath the Tilikum Crossing Bridge. While on the Esplanade, runners will pass directly between the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI) and its famous submarine, the USS Blueblack.
7. 🏅Finish Line
With just over one mile to go, the route crosses the Willamette for the fourth and final time as it heads over the Burnside Bridge, running directly towards the iconic White Stag sign in the distance. Runners take a final loop around Old Town and then head south on Naito Parkway for the final sprint to the finish at Waterfront Park.
Portland Marathon Route Challenges
🌉 Bridges
The Portland Marathon route crosses over four different bridges, including the Broadway Bridge, Sellwood Bridge, Hawthorne Bridge, and Burnside Bridge. These bridges can be challenging for runners due to their inclines and declines.
Tips:
- Take shorter strides when running uphill and lean forward slightly to maintain your balance.
- On the downhill, take longer strides and keep your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact.
🏞️ Hills
The Portland Marathon route features several hills, including a steep incline at mile 16. These hills can be challenging for runners and require extra effort to climb.
Tips:
- Use your arms to help you climb the hills and maintain a steady pace.
- Take shorter strides and focus on your breathing to conserve energy.
🌬️ Wind
The Portland Marathon route can be windy, especially when crossing over the bridges. This can make running more challenging and require extra effort to maintain your pace.
Tips:
- Lean forward slightly and tuck in your elbows to reduce wind resistance.
- Focus on your breathing and maintain a steady pace to conserve energy.
🌧️ Rain
The Portland Marathon route can be wet and rainy, especially during the fall season. This can make running more challenging and require extra caution to avoid slipping.
Tips:
- Wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the weather conditions.
- Take shorter strides and maintain a slower pace to avoid slipping on wet surfaces.
🚗 Traffic
The Portland Marathon route crosses several busy streets and intersections, which can be challenging for runners to navigate.
Tips:
- Follow the instructions of volunteers and law enforcement officers at all times.
- Stay aware of your surroundings and be cautious when crossing streets and intersections.
Route Services
Here I have an overview of the aid stations on the Portland Marathon route.
Spectator Locations
5 Great Post-Marathon Activities
1. 🎉 Finish Line Festival
After crossing the finish line, runners can enjoy a festival featuring food, drinks, music, and other activities. This is a great way to celebrate the accomplishment with fellow runners and friends.
2. 🖼️ Portland Art Museum
The Portland Art Museum is a great place to visit after the marathon. It features a wide range of art collections and exhibitions, including contemporary art, Native American art, and European art.
3. 📚 Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books is a must-visit destination for book lovers. It’s one of the largest independent bookstores in the world and features a vast collection of new and used books.
4. 🐘 Oregon Zoo
The Oregon Zoo is a great place to relax and unwind after the marathon. It features a wide variety of animals, including elephants, lions, tigers, and bears.
5. 🏞️ Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful natural area located just outside of Portland. It offers stunning views of the Columbia River and features numerous hiking trails and waterfalls. It’s a great place to explore and unwind after the marathon.
Local Transportation: This is how you get there.
For the Portland Marathon, I would recommend using the MAX Light Rail and Portland Streetcar as they offer fast and convenient service throughout the city, including stops at the Oregon Convention Center for easy access to the Expo. Additionally, Portland is known as Bike City, USA, and Biketown is a great way to experience the city on two wheels.
Our Tips for the Portland Marathon Route
Train on hills: The Portland Marathon route includes several hills, including the St. Johns Bridge and Terwilliger Boulevard. Make sure to train on hills to build up your endurance and strength.
Dress in layers: The weather on Portland Marathon day can be unpredictable, so it’s important to dress in layers. This will allow you to adjust your clothing as needed to stay comfortable. Find out what to wear for a marathon.
Stay hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after the race. There will be water and aid stations along the course, so take advantage of them.
Pace yourself: It’s important to pace yourself during the race to avoid burning out too quickly. Stick to a comfortable pace and try to maintain it throughout the race.
Familiarize yourself with the course: Study the course map and familiarize yourself with the route before race day. This will help you mentally prepare for the race and avoid any surprises.
Use the restroom before the race: Make sure to use the restroom before the race to avoid any unnecessary stops along the course.
Have a plan for transportation: With road closures and parking restrictions, it’s important to have a plan for transportation on race day. Consider using public transportation or carpooling with friends to avoid any headaches.
FAQ
What is the time limit for the Portland Marathon Route?
The time limit for the Portland Marathon route is 6 hours and 33 minutes, which is a 15-minute mile for the marathon and a 30-minute mile for the half marathon.
What is the weather typically like on Portland Marathon day?
Based on historical data, the weather on Portland Marathon day is typically dry, sunny, and cooler with average temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-60s Fahrenheit.
Are there any road closures on Portland Marathon Day?
Yes, there are road closures on Portland Marathon Day to accommodate the race route. The closures typically affect several streets and intersections throughout the city, including downtown Portland and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Have you ever run the Portland Marathon route? I would love to hear your experience in the comments. I am sure we also have the right training plan for you such as the 14 week marathon training plan or the 24 week marathon training plan.
