This was my fourth marathon in a year of running. (Royal Victoria, North Olympic Discovery - Port Angeles, Seafair - Seattle). This was the largest
by far of anything I've run, although I was at the Nike 26.2 in San Fransico last year when my sweetie ran it.

The start was a bit crowded, but didn't bother me too much. I would have liked more room but didn't expect much different. The aid stations were great, I had no problems getting to them like someone mentioned, not sure what he meant.... I quite liked the music, I used to play a lot of big band (now I do small
group) but I didn't get to hear very much! The industrial area was not the best scenery, but it was flat so I can live with it.

The hill at 16 was right were I normally poop out for a bit, but this time I went through that a bit earlier and was feeling pretty good by then. I ran
up about 1/2 then walked fast the rest (passing some runners). No complaints about the rest of the course, although I was a bit tired the last 2 miles! I was glad of the downhill later, didn't bother my legs at all, although some don't like downhills much.

The pacer was doing strange things, going fast and stopping at the mile markers, so I gave up and just kept my own pace - I still came in under the 5 hours I wanted. I'm no fast guy, so take these comments with that in mind.

The food was great, I liked being able to eat with friends and family at the Discovery Marathon, but I can see where that wouldn't work very well with this many runners. The packet pickup and expo were run well; no complaints at all. Parking at the start was easy - only a couple of blocks away for $5. We also
found a motel 10 mintues away for $49.

The best scenery I've been on by far was the Discovery Marathon, and since this was in the city, I didn't expect much different than I saw. No complaints from me.

This was my fastest marathon for me so far at 4:56, so the course couldn't have been TOO hard. Seafair was much harder, I thought. I liked the names on the bibs. It was fun to have people calling your name out and cheering, etc. Even though there were quite a number of people at the end, they managed to call each person's name out also.

I would certainly recommend it to anyone - I had a great time.

I really enjoyed running this course--the weather was perfect and I thought the spectators were great.

For those of you coming from non-hilly areas, however, get ready! I know that many people did not think the hill at Mile 17 was that bad, but I'm from Chicago, and it's nearly impossible to do any quality hill training there. I trudged my way up, and then at Mile 22 or 23, there is a steep one-mile downhill. That sounds great in theory, but in reality, I thought my legs were going to fall off.

All of that said, because I trained hard, I did get a PR on this course, and I loved all of the beautiful Portland fall scenery.

Oh--a minor complaint--what is up with the mock turtleneck finisher's shirt? They are really great shirts.... Except for the mock turtleneck, which lends it an early 90's feel.

This was my third Portland Marathon. It was the first time I ran it for fun and not for time and I paid attention to some details I hadn't before. Overall, I am still pleased with my hometown marathon, but it could use a few tweaks, not major overhauls. As stated by others, the organization is generally top-notch and the volunteers are simply phenomenal. Having lived here for over 20 years, it is obvious that the organizers have decided to make the course as easy (flat) as a marathon course could be in Portland and have sacrificed the area's natural beauty; that can be a pro or a con, depending on your perspective. Running it for fun at over an hour slower than in prior years, it was definitely a con for me this year. However, I do not see the course changing. It is what it is.

The medal is very nice and the finisher's shirt was the best yet.

Here is what I would like to see improved (assuming that the Portland race organizers read this board, as several do). Please keep nutrition on the course simple and consistent and prominently display the info on your website and/or mailings well in advance. Please use drinks and carbs that are commonly available for purchase. It is important to be able to train using what will be on the course. For the carbs, please choose one and then place it more frequently (every 4-6 miles) on the course. The Honey Stinger was first available at mile 18 or so. If a runner (or walker) is going to bonk, carbs at 18 aren't likely to help. Carbs available at 6 and 12 as well as 18 (or more frequently) could help.

Post-race: Please, please, please bring back the Haggen Daaz ice cream bars. I was so looking forward to that bar I had after 2003 & 2004 and got some generic brand instead. It was ok, but not the same. In general, the food seemed to be of lower quality than past years; still nice quantity and variety. And PLEASE put porta-potties in the recovery area. I left the recovery area sooner than I think I should have b/c I had a full bladder and I was told that the one that was in the medical tent was not available for general use.

Despite the mediocre scenery, Portland is really a top-notch run. There are spectators and bands almost the whole way except the few miles before St. John's Bridge, there are ample water/Ultima tables, and the pace groups are visible, friendly, and for the most part accurate. Furthermore, this year most people had names on their bibs; it was great to hear people cheering me by name even though they didn't know me. I think this is one of the best ideas I've seen for encouraging fans to cheer.

However, this year something went wrong at the start. We were packed in much more tightly than last year, so tightly I was worried the start wouldn't be safe. Furthermore, there was construction in the mile 1-2 area that narrowed the course significantly; I actually had to stop for several seconds and wait to get through. A lot of runners diverted off the course and onto the railway tracks, a move that wasn't very safe, but if they hadn't I don't know how long it would have taken for everybody to move through the area.

I managed to make up for most of the lost time on the long downhill, but making up time isn't very desirable any time during a marathon.

Otherwise the race was great. I ran by myself and I'll never forget all the spectators at the finish line who were cheering me by name. The finish has the potential to make or break a race, and this year, for Portland, it made it.

Well, what can I say - it was a great experience! I don't know why some people said the hill at mile 16-17 was no big deal - because I just about died when I saw it! Omigosh! The industrial area was a bit boring but it was cool to see the faster runners (by 4 miles) on the other side as they had turned back on the loop. The tracks & potholes were a little daunting - had to make sure my foot landed after the track so I wouldn't twist it - but no biggie. I really appreciated all of the aid stations; they were great. The volunteers were great & there was plenty for all. There was water/2 sports drinks which was nice. Also nice w/ the gummy bears, bananas, honey stinger, Hershey's Marathon bars, Red Bull, & whatever else I forgot.

After I finished (mind you I could not jog at all the last 10 miles - hurt too bad) there were plenty of post-race snacks. I didn't find it a problem to take my snacks out of the area - so I was able to still snack while meeting up with my wonderful family. I thought the course entertainment lacked a little as a lot of the them weren't even playing/performing. I was all jazzed to see the little tents on the course only to come up to them and see them visiting, closing up shop or just taking a break. Canned music would have been nice. It was nice through the Univ. of Portland area to see that some homes had stero's blaring upbeat music -THAT kept me going/motivated. I plan on doing this one again!

The expo and race start were easy to get to. The course is very unattractive - mostly industrial. However, the weather is cool and the leaves are changing. The music was not memorable. My major problems with this race were that the water stops were only on one side of the road. This forces runners on the opposite side of the road to cut others off while trying to access the water. The other complaint I have is that not every mile marker had someone calling out times. And many of the times that were called out were wrong! This was very aggravating towards the end. I have run the 'big' marathons and would not recommend this one unless you are doing one marathon in every state. Portland is a nice and relaxed city. Come to visit but don't run the race.

This was my first marathon. Very well organized, and great fans. Strangers were calling out my name on the course. Very crowded at start, couldn't even get into the street at first, stuck on the sidewalk. Disappointed in the scenery.... Many miles in an industrial area where the street was torn up, or had lots of railroad tracks. Music was good, could have done without the Christian rock band which seemed louder than all the rest. Don't think the website accurately repesented the hills. Not many, but the St. John's Bridge hill (going up) is pretty steep and the hill going down toward the steel bridge around mile 23 was very hard on the knees. I could see that if your goal was time this could be a frustrating run with the crowd on the course and the potholes and puddles.

I think this was a great marathon for a first-timer who just wanted to finish. T-shirts and medals were nice. Good food at finish, though it would have been nice if friends/family could be there. Had to meet them outside of the finish area. Signing up for pictures was confusing. I was not clear if I could have requested specific pictures to be taken. Purchasing pictures that are taken is VERY expensive. $80 entry should get you one pic at least.

Prior to this marathon, I had run LA three times and San Diego (Carlsbad) once. This was a much better race.

I thought the size of this race (about 7000) was perfect. Big enough, but not so big that it is chaos. The organization was very good at the expo, start, and finish. I had the luxury of finishing near the front, so I was alone in the finish chute and there was a great array of amenities there. The only downside was that I exited the chute to meet my family, and discovered there was no way to get back in to get water.

I thought the course was plenty scenic, but I don't run races for the scenery. I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd support and the music. There was some bad footing and potholes on the early part of the course especially, so you really had to pay attention running in the dark.

One big surprise was how hard the course was. I expected the hill at 17 miles, but it was tougher than I thought it would be. The bigger surprise was how hard other parts of the course were. The hills just before halfway were a big shock. The final 8 miles are rolling with one long decline, instead of flat with a decline like the map led me to believe. This is not a real fast course, which isn't a problem as long as you realize that going in.

From the comments I read before running Portland and now after experiencing it, I think you will either love it or be somewhat disappointed. And I personally think it makes a big difference whether you are new to marathoning or not, and whether you are running for 'the experience' or for a 'fast time'.

The course was ok. Couple dangerous spots where the railroad tracks, puddles and equipment at the side of the road caused a couple mis-steps for some runners. The 'industrial area' (and most of the course) is fine if you are running for time - mostly flat. Other than that it's not particularily scenic. The one major hill up to the bridge wasn't too bad.

Race organization was excellent. Packet pickup/expo, start/finish were great, medal/shirt etc. nice.

On-course music was good music and I am guessing is supposed to 'showcase' some local talent. The music however (as others have said) is folksy and not particularily motivating. I felt more like I should stop and listen rather than run faster. (lady playing a harp for instance)

Spectators are interesting. Many do help encourage but many also just stand and watch silently. Kind of a surreal experience at times compared to other major races.

Personally I think new marathoners and walkers would love this race. If you are trying for a fast time and atmosphere isn't a big deal it's also a good course to run on your own.

If you are an average marathoner where time and atmosphere are equally important I think it might be disappointing.

I'd say it's telling that the race touts itself as 'the best organized' marathon in North America -- not the biggest or the fastest or the most scenic, but the best organized. On that front, I'd say it comes through: This is an extremely well-organized race.

Other than that, yes, the course is remarkably unattractive; if this is all you see of Portland, you won't be too impressed, and you shouldn't be. If you're coming in from out of town for the run, come a few days early, and go for your last easy runs in Forest Park. Or better yet, save your airfare for a truly attractive course -- the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage, say -- and come through Portland some other time to go for a run in some of the more scenic parts of the city.

If you're looking for a reasonably fast and easy course, you could certainly do much worse than Portland. However, if you're looking for a course equal to the city it showcases, I'd have to recommend looking elsewhere.