Unannounced checkpoint slows runners, separates spectators from runners, turns back many without bib at farthest point from start. Poorly communicated. Poorly implemented.

I moved to Oregon because it's one of the most beautiful places in America. Unfortunatley you will see none of this along the Portland Marathon course. It runs into the heart of our ugly industrial district, then you do a 180 and run through it again. The race starts at the ridiculously early time of 7:00 a.m. so aside from the water stations the course is void of spectators. You would have more fun flying to Oregon and running ANYWHERE but this course.

The starting area needs to be bigger, to allow the runners some SPACE TO MOVE into the appropriate time area. We were on the sidewalk trying to get to the 8-min mile area, and were boxed in, unable to get there. If the starting pen was spread out over a couple of blocks, the sidewalks could be used for traffic to move up and back.

Also, we expected the reunion area to have signs of the alphabet, so that families could meet at the letter of their last name. Instead, families were all waiting at the exit chute, creating a bottleneck.

Negative stars would be more appropriate. An unannounced checkpoint - 16 miles into the race and the farthest from the start - stops runners to check for bibs, turns back spectators, separates spectators tracking runners, and turns back people without bibs. This was my third year. Last year I lost my bib at about mile three. Good thing it didn't happen this year. As it was I had to stop come back down to the Gestapo agent, dig the bib out of the plastic baggie and display it, only to be checked again at the top of the bridge. Next year - strip search?

I've run this marathon 5 times, and I'll run it many more times. It's conveniently located, and a fairly fast course. There are plenty of aid stations, and mileage markers are well placed and accurate. Race management places emphasis more on making this an 'event' rather than a competitive race, so be aware of that if you are a serious racer. This is a well run marathon, especially for slower runners and walkers. My only grievance is a marathon of this size should do more to promote the competitive aspect of the sport. I feel they have a responsibility here that they've not fulfilled. It would add to the event to have a couple big names at the front to inspire the rest of us and provide some athletic prestige to the race.

I had heard that Portland was an excellent first-timer?s marathon, and was not disappointed. The organization was excellent and the music along the course was great (almost as good as San Diego, without the ?Rock ?N Roll? billing!), as were the crowds. My only complaint was the industrial loop around miles 9~12, but then, every course seems to have one, and it?s better to have it in the middle than at the end.

I thought the finish area was the most efficiently run of any that I have been to. Also, the start was quite well organized, given how many people there were. Nice thing about Portland is that I could stay at a cheap hotel within walking distance of the start, so didn?t have to deal with the Port-o-let lines; even though it was my first marathon, I left the hotel 20 minutes before the gun went off!

I've run the Portland Marathon twice (2001 & 2002), and will run it a third time in 2003. I've run thirteen other marathons (Seattle three times), and one ultra (Comrades in South Africa). I have no idea what the person from Mesa is complaining about.

In terms of a 'chaotic start', any time you have that many people all lined up, it's going to take time to get moving. In the LA Marathon, I was packed solid with other runners until mile nine. The starts at San Diego Rock & Roll and Big Sur were much more confusing & crowded. Even at the Comrades, which marks only 'gun time,' I needed ten minutes to finally cross the start line.

As for the 'finish', you might read the comments about the Rock & Roll - now *that's* a finish area that was a mess. LA was also very difficult, mainly because of the amount of people involved. I don't know what Mesa, AZ's other marathons were, but they couldn't have been of any size.

As for the inconsiderate clods of 'power' walkers who start at the three hour pace poll - there is nothing the organizers can do about them. Even in races where corrals are assigned, people cheat & cut ahead. Or they just lie and estimate their finishing time at three hours. But that's all part of what makes racing fun: one more obstacle to overcome.

As for the volunteers not pouring enough fluids, and making Mesa, AZ come to a 'standstill,' again that is nothing unusual. A friend of mine ran the 2002 San Francisco Marathon, and at one aid station a table collapsed. All the cups were destroyed, so the volunteers had to pour water into runners' open mouths, just like baby birds.

In terms of tables on both sides of the road, that is clearly the exception. You will be sorely disappointed if you expect that at every marathon. And the 'mix up' of water & sport drink - these are all volunteers. When I approach an aid station looking for water, I say 'Water water water water...' and volunteers either hand me four cups, or point me down the line.

The biggest criticism I have of Mesa AZ's review, though, is the course itself: What on earth are you talking about in terms of 'screaming downhills'? Are you sure you ran the marathon in Portland, Oregon, USA? I live here. I've run most of the course many times. There are no 'screaming downhills', and only one hill of any consequence: the short one (in terms of distance) up to the St. John's Bridge. The hills in the Seattle Marathon are many times more difficult, as are the hills in San Francisco (as they should be. A San Francisco Marathon without hills? I'd demand my money back). The main hill in Big Sur Int'l Marathon makes Portland look level. I think the only two marathons that were flatter than Portland were the Rock & Roll and Las Vegas. I would put Portland comparable to LA in terms of hills.

I'm a little hot under the collar about this, because Portland's a great marathon in a great town. My main man Les (whom I have never met) is still a volunteer, and does a heck of a job putting on a great show. Anyone who thinks the Portland Marathon is 'just thrown together' either doesn't know anything about marathons, or is an idiot. Probably both.

Truth be told, if you want to believe Mesa, AZ & not me (because I'm nothing but a big 'homer'), that's actually fine. This year, the Portland Marathon is capped at 9,000 participants, and will probably sell out - despite Mesa's inability to find a shirt.

This was my first marathon and I think I picked a pretty good one to start with. On impulse I signed up for the race with a mere 4 weeks to train. Needless to say I was completely unprepared. Somehow I actually completed the race which never would have been possibly without the amazing fan support and entertainment. The scenery was also great and the climate was perfect. The other runners were so friendly, too--I love Oregon! Just when I was about to hit the wall there was a lady standing at the corner with a bowl of gummi bears to save me from a sugar crash. Despite the four hours of agony that I put myself through, I'd do it again in a heartbeat simply because it was such a good time.

I guess that we do things differently than in Arizona. We read the information given out about the marathon. How do you think everyone knew to go to the building to get the t-shirts?
When I entered the finishing area there were plenty of volunteers telling us once we left we may not return. That was also very obvious.
I've run marathons all over the world and many times the drinks were set up only on one side. What complaints!
Hills? Steep grades? Where were you?

Had a great time in Portland as the race was well organized, the course seemed smooth and varied (except for a couple of industrial stretches), and the fan support was awesome. I PR'd by over 6 minutes which I thought was impossible. There were some small and gradual hills but nothing a northwesterner wouldn't be prepared for. I like how it was scheduled for a decent weather time of year, unlike another big marathon (Seattle). In fact I may just have to run Portland every year instead of Seattle since who wants to run 26.2 in the dark during a biting cold rainstorm!!