I like this marathon for the great volunteers and the crowd support -- it is a pretty flat course for the first 16 miles. Mile 17 there is a hill that people talk about -- I don't think it's the end of the world though. But both times that I have run it, miles 21 to 26 have seen a lot hillier than I expected. They are gentle hills but it's good to remember that they are there and keep some gas in the tank for the last 10K! It's definitely a race geared for the average runner rather than for the elite runners.

The Portland Marathon was a blast.The scenery was great running through city blocks, over bridges and through neighborhoods full of enthusiastic spectators. It wasn't too hilly and the weather in October was great!

Maybe it's because this was my first marathon (and second, and third), but Portland will always hold a special place in my heart. From the 85+ year old woman who starts the race 1/2 hour or so before everyone else, to the entertainment along the way - including a guy dressed into a tux whistling classical music, and a group of bagpipers in kilts around mile 18 - to the hill at mile 16 that's just tough enough to add a little drama to the race - the Portland marathon has all the elements that make a marathon a memorable experience. At the end of the race you're handed a rose, and turned loose into the biggest post marathon feast I've ever seen.