The course is on a lovely island and, as advertised, flat. It was clearly marked and I loved being able to run a rural marathon within mintes of an urban area. The volunteers are wonderful, and Beth is great! Yes, there is traffic--but c'mon, I live in a city of 60,000 and have to do some training runs on roads. There is traffic, so deal with it. Generally, I found the traffic not a major issue. The half marathoners did take up a lot of space and I'd suggest better schooling of them in terms of runner etiquette. Walking 3 and 4 abreast makes it difficult for those of trying to meet a time goal. For July, the weather was way better than you'll get in most places.

The post-race area was shaded, there was food, and no big awards ho-hah is fine by me--that's not why I run (and I did win my age group and was among the top female finishers). OK, the finisher's medals should have the right year on them--but I understand we will be getting something that corrects the error.

I appreciate all that goes into putting on a run, and want to encourage race directors to keep on doing what they do. Sure, there is room for improvement here, but it's not a big city marathon, so don't expect big-city amenities.

This is a very flat course that loops around an island in the Columbia River. Plenty of aid stations and porta-potties. Best of all: strawberry shortcake at the finish!

'Comments' are usually a happiness index related to a runner's time. The better the time, the better the comments. In my case I am a 4:28 runner who was trying to get a 4:10. I did the first loop in 2:06. My abysmal time is not tied into what is otherwise a marathon that is as good as it gets.

a) My plane broke down and I was stuck in Michigan for 2 days.

b) Out of panic for 4th of July I took the first hotel that had a vacancy. It was a fleabag rat trap with malfunctioning A/C during a heatwave, the neon sign buzzing and shining in the window, drunks at the bar next door shooting off fireworks all night, a filthy room with filthier shower, sheets that smelled like dirty body, etc. I was too hot to eat, was not sleeping (no exaqggeration - 12 hours in 3 days), and drank very little while sweating very much. I was dehydrated before the race. My body was shot by the moring of the race and by the second lap, between the heat, dehydration, and lack of sleep, and lack of food, it was all I could do was to finish. I was 2:06 at the half.

The Island was flat and beautiful. Everyone associated with the race was fantastic. Maybe start earlier - the heat is a killer. I am grateful that they kept the time trap open for me (I may not have been last, but man was I close). I am grateful for my finisher's medal (who cares what year - I almost finished in 2006). I am grateful I did not drop because of the heat, my own dehydration, lack of sleeping, and lack of eating. Do not change this race for anything except maybe the start time. Your aid stations were fine and plentiful. Although not conducive to spectators, the lady patrolling on the motorcycle was more encouraging than she will ever know.

Thanks for a great marathon. Everyone should run this race, just get a good hotel (major chain). The race is 20 minutes out of downtown Portland.

This is by far the flattest course I have seen, with only one very small, short hill. That is the highlight. This is a 1/2 marathon, not a marathon. I am a slower runner and finished around 4:30. First, this was the first organized run where I did not feel safe. I was nearly struck by vehicles on 3 occasions. One time was crossing the oncoming traffic to do the out-and-back. The volunteers were not watching the runners or traffic. The 3rd time was actually by a sheriff's car. First lap around was fine, but on the 2nd lap, the combination of the runners, bicycles and 2-way traffic was too much for the 2-lane road.

Also this is the first time that I have felt unwelcome. Everyone just seemed annoyed that we were there. The last 1/2 mile or so was also a line of other runners in their cars leaving the area. They did not have anyone to direct traffic so the cars were stacking up. That was the only place that there were spectators, but unfortunately the car exhaust was pretty intense for this distance. At the finish everything was either packed up or being packed up when I arrived. They did save out a bowl of strawberry shortcake. I also agree with the other comments about the medal. It is hard to believe that they didn't just replace the paper picture that is glued to the front of the medal that contains the date. If you are faster, you might not have some of these issues. I would not recommend this race to anyone. If this was my first marathon, it may have been my last.

The course is great and the spectators are not a problem in my mind. What spoiled the experience was the 'organization.' Here I want to distinguish between the wonderful people who volunteered to help the runners - and did a great job (thank you, thank you, thank you!); and the race director and assistants - who didn't.

The main complaints are: 1) It was advertised that there would be no traffic in the runner's lane. There was; and lot's of it, sometimes uncomfortably close. I was almost blown over from the shoulder by a passing truck at one point. 2) Too few aid stations on a hot day made for a setback. 3) The marathon bibs said 1/2 marathon. 4) The finisher's medal also doesn't distinguish 1/2 from full marathon. But that's not all - it is from 2004! I think just quietly passing on 2004 medals to us is not only cheap but dishonest too. 5) No results posted and it is several days already and there is no response to e-mail inquiries about these issues. Except for the traffic, maybe these aren't big issues in the grand scheme of things, but they discourage me from running the marathon again.

I got a cheap 2004 medal, too. And I contacted Foot Traffic, but have not heard from them. Not right!!!

I enjoyed my visit to Portland... only my 2005 medal would make it perfect.

Confusion started for me at the packet pick-up (signed up for the marathon, but received a half marathon packet). Susie and Beth were very helpful in making corrections and they are both great and generous people!

This course is out in the middle of nowhere... which isn't bad in itself. So plan to drive 30 minutes to get there and prepare for no traffic control to leave. And lots of on-coming local traffic (and fumes) during the run. It was hot and humid, and the organizers lacked preparation for a great turnout because of the weather and ran out of everything (water, Gatorade, bottles, etc... including medals). I received a 2004 medal for my efforts in completing a full marathon. (And the medal is an inexpensive medal with a paper sticker designating both half and full marathon... no difference.) I tried, several times, to contact them via email about getting a 2005 medal... and my inquiries went unanswered to date. They definitely cater to the half-marathoners and 5-milers.

Great volunteers, no medical support visible, and only a handful of spectators on the course.

I understand that this was traditionally a half marathon. Marathoners are not respected here.

The good points: Volunteers, shade over 25% of the course on the first of 2 laps... less the second time around (could start earlier for heat conditions) and lots of friendly people in the Portland area. Portland and the scenery were exceptional.

The course was really fine but I think it wasn't very well organized. Half-marathon walkers are in your way and there are clearly not enough water/aid stations.

It seems like the medals are from last year since it's dated as 2004. Not very nice.

I don't think I'm going to run that marathon again.

If you're looking for a PR this course is as good as it gets. In terms of flatness and straightness, think Chicago without the crowds. The locals were out on their lawns in support of the runners. Dairy cows were there as promised. And the organizers went out of their way to observe the 4th of July holiday. We sang America The Beautiful at the starting line and ate the traditional strawberry shortcake afterward.

Now I'll reiterate some of the suggestions that have already been made. First, there is very little recognition given to the runners' accomplishments. If you weren't an overall or masters winner you got nothing. I finished 2nd in my age group, 3rd overall in the marathon. It was a very personally meaningful accomplishment and I have nothing to show for it, not even a ribbon.

The race caters to the half-marathon runners who are far more numerous. Despite finishing 3rd overall in the marathon, I crossed the finish line amidst a crowd of 2-hour half marathon runners. Not exactly what you picture.

The location of the aid stations was not as advertised on the maps. It was unnerving to have to run sometimes 1.5 miles farther than planned before the aid station appeared.

Still, fundamentally this event has what it takes to be very special.

I loved this half marathon - great folks setting it up and keeping us updated from Foot Traffic... it was everything it promised (the hill at the end didn't bother me too much) but I can only beg that there be more water stations next year. That was something that I heard repeatedly during the race as well.