Foot Traffic Flat Marathon - Race Reviews

This was a great small town feel race - packet pick up was very no frills the day before, shirt is ok (maybe runs a bit big?). there was an early start offered for those running 10+ min miles so we started at 0530 and it wasn't the usual mess of a crowd with all the marathoners and half marathoners at once - wonderful! I felt a little rushed bc we were told the first bus would leave at 0445 but it didn't actually leave until 0500 - so we made it to the island with just enough time to use the potty and pack and check in my bag and then start! maybe it was best that way. There were beautiful birds and farmland scenery as the sun was coming up - couldn't have asked for better weather. About mile 11 or 12 or so (there was a turn around on an out-and-back around mile 10), you could see the leaders coming and that was so neat! A boost of encouragement and energy to keep going, they looked so great. Then you hit the gaggle of half-marathoners around mile 20 or so when there was a big loop to the finish - it was truly a perfect way to stagger everyone out. Course was relatively flat with just a few rolling hills sprinkled in to make it interesting :) There weren't any photos so that was a bit of a bummer, but they did some sort of YouTube video so you could see yourself (and everyone else presumably) crossing the finish line. It looked like it was probably a nice little after-race party on the farm afterwards, but I had to get back and catch the shuttle which was a little ways and a little hard to find. But all in all, I'm very happy that this was my Oregan race - definitely would recommend.

I thought the only place to run a flat race in Oregon would be around a track at TrackTown, USA (University of Oregon), but you can find your flat course on Sauvie Island. Running on the 4th of July makes this a perfect summer destination race. It's still cool in the mornings, and the chance of rain is minimal. Sauvie Island is primarily farmland, so the views comprise fields on one side and water on the other, with mountains (Adams, Hood) looming in the distance. Not many folks to cheer you on, if that makes a difference to you, but there are plenty of cows silently questioning your sanity. They offer a full, half, 10K and 5K. I ran the full and my wife ran the 10K. Though they have staggered race starts, the course is pretty crowded for the first mile and half, but then it's smooth sailing. The race swag and medals are above average, and we especially loved the fresh strawberry shortcake for all finishers! There's limited parking and only one access road to the island, so get there early or take one of the shuttles. The farm venue (Pumpkin Patch) is super, and easily accommodated all the participants. It's very family friendly, they even do a fun run for the little ones and have a petting zoo. If you like smaller races that keep you off roadways with traffic, we would highly recommend this race. You can see our video of the race and visit to Portland on our YouTube channel Race the Nation.

This was my first marathon and I found it a great experience. For new marathoners the one advantage or disadvantage is the lack of spectators. Depending on your mind frame. If fake encouragement from random strangers helps you, you're not going to get much here until you meet the half marathon walkers. I liked it as I could fight my own mental battle withou distractions and children, dogs getting in the way. Aid stations are plentiful but beware if you're a fast marathoner you will, in the last few miles find yourself being impeded by slow halfers having a social meeting at the stations. The course is very picturesque, well marked but not flat. There is a good few rolling hills there, nothing that will break the legs but it's no Berlin. I will be back this year to smash my PB

Sauvie Island is incredibly gorgeous but there are no fans on the course which I found tough for 26.2. There was only water every two miles or so which wasn't really enough given the weather and I didn't think there were quite enough port-o-potties on course either. Only one lane of traffic was closed so there was mix of runners/cars/bikes on the course which wasn't ideal- the website said the course was only open to local traffic but that was clearly not the case. The people directing traffic in the morning also misdirected some cars and some of the signage could've been better. Stauvie island is so incredibly beautiful and I loved the course. I think with a few minor changes (and a little spectator support) the race could be great.

I love small marathons, and this one had about 300 runners. The half starts about 20 minutes after the full, which meant we had the roads to ourselves. The weather was perfect - low 60's and overcast - but if it's a hot day there is almost no shade. You run along fields and farms and sometimes have a view of the river. The start and finish are at a local farm which is fun. No expo; packet pick-up was 4 different days at 4 different Foot Traffic store locations in Portland. There are no spectators (unless you count the sheep) but the volunteers are great. I'm from out of town, so opted for the bus to and from the race which worked out really well. The emails were very clear that they offered water and Nuun at water stops. I believe most of the water stops also had Gu available, but I'm picky on flavors and always bring my own.

The course is not literally flat, but the hills roll gently. Sauvie Island is mostly farmland, so there's little shade. This is a quiet race. There are only spectators at the start/finish line. Runners spread out. For a lot of the course, you will be alone. (It is well-marked, though, so don't worry about getting lost.) My big complaint is about the aid stations. When I run, my sense of taste gets dull. I spent the whole race thinking I was drinking Gatorade, when I was actually drinking an electrolyte mix with no calories. It's on me for not checking this beforehand, but it is on the race for not offering calories. Only once during the whole race did I see any sign of Gu, and it wasn't offered to me. Was the idea to hide all the calories? Or was I supposed to ask at every aid station? I ended up seriously hypoglycemic, vomiting several times and stumbling through the last few miles. Bring your own Gu!

This was an awesome marathon. Not only it was well organized, the course was amazingly peaceful and beautiful. Watching eagles up in their nest was a treat, seeing berries, flowers, wheat growing right along the road was invigorating. My husband volunteered at the finish line giving medals and I joined him after I finished, it was rewarding to congratulate others. People with headphones on, you have no idea what you are missing, leave that stuff at home. Give it a try, you will be surprised at what you will hear.

This race lives up to its name of being flat and fast. Packet pick up was easy and low key. Even though I didn't pay for the race shirt I was still given one and it is a nice, gender-specific tech shirt. We headed the warnings of snarled traffic and arrived early. There was plenty of parking and parking attendants when we got there. Lines at the port-a-pots were short until the half marathoners arrived. I liked the band playing before the race and the Star Spangled Banner was a nice touch for this 4th of July race. Many people were dressed in red, white and blue. The course was rural, flat and scenic. There weren't any spectators to speak of. Aid stations were well stocked and spaced approximately every 2 miles. I wish the fluid cups were bigger because the weather did get warm in the later miles. However, I was able to run my first Boston qualifying time and had a great experience. The medal was nice and we bought a bunch of fresh berries, cherries and apricots at the Farmer's Market near the finish line. This was my Oregon marathon and I would definitely consider running it again.

This course is great if you're looking for a quick/flat course. There is really only one hill, which they tell you about. The bad thing is it's on mile 18. If you're looking for a race with spectators THIS RACE IS NOT FOR YOU. There is not 1 spectator throughout the course.

This is a very low-key race, with some nice greenery and a small town atmosphere. The course is easy, with very few hills. Even the hill on the half mile out-and-back they describe is a piece of cake. Great course for a PR. The water stations were OK. The electrolytes could have been a little less watered down, but it was nice that they had gel. They didn't have the water station at the starting line set up, which was incredibly lame. Very little swag besides a cool technical shirt, and you need to get to the island early to avoid traffic. It's a fun time.

Course is pretty...quiet and flat as advertised. I don't care much about spectators...just that there be enough so I know I'm still on the right course! The shuttles were late. I took one of the earliest shuttles and still arrived 20 minutes after the full start time. When I asked a volunteer what to do (if I could just start anyway) he said 'let me see your bib' and removed the timing chip from it so I 'wouldn't throw off the results.' Still not sure why. Because of that, the race doesnt show up on Athlinks as one I completed. It was open sky and exposed. Very hot.

Course is pretty...quiet and flat as advertised. I don't care much about spectators...just that there be enough so I know I'm still on the right course! The shuttles were late. I took one of the earliest shuttles and still arrived 20 minutes after the full start time. When I asked a volunteer what to do (if I could just start anyway) he said 'let me see your bib' and removed the timing chip from it so I 'wouldn't throw off the results.' Still not sure why. Because of that, the race doesnt show up on Athlinks as one I completed. It was open sky and exposed. Very hot.

Very low key - - no goodie bag, no real expo, no spectators, etc... Started late, as people were still getting there. I hear that half started way late. Anyone considering this marathon in the future - remember to get there early. Shuttles were sold out, also, some shuttles were getting there late as well. Water stations were ok, although there was a considerable dry spot, probably good 4 miles when the marathoners go to the turn-around spot. What made it worse is the sun and the wind. As previously mentioned, the medal was the same for half and full. Scenic? I guess the out and back part is, the rest is just farmland, so not terribly scenic. I guess there is some uniqueness to this race - how often do you wait inside the barn waiting for the start (cold morning). It was nice to see that organizers tried to recycle everything. But, that's Oregon. You know what else is Oregon? Micro-brews, but no adult beverages to be found at the finish area. Also, not much in terms of the food, but the strawberry shortcake was a nice touch.

Weather was good and flat scenic island running with car traffic problems at the start but fairly good volunteer/aid station operation with one HUGE exception! At the full/half split there was absolutely NO signage showing which way to go and, at least when I came through, the Course Marshal there was totally distracted and making no effort whatsoever to direct us although I started yelling for directions about 200 yards back. Finally, lacking any response I started to drift right and for the third time yelled for directions and still got nothing from the CM; however, a nearby police officer directed me to the full (left). I know at least one Full who ended up at the finish line after 13.1 miles and have reason to believe there were more. I also personally saw numerous Half runners on the Full course. Must have been a bit of a shock for them! All of this would have been avoided with simple signage at the split. Come on, organizers, I am a former RD myself and that is such a fundamental oversight it's hard to believe! Also, have no idea what the problem was with the course Marshal but it was a fiasco at the split from everything I could see.

This is a low key event held entirely on Sauvie Island. The course, as the name implies, is quite flat and scenic. There are plenty of aid stations and very enthusiastic volunteers. The traffic getting to the island is very challenging, but having the shuttles available and encouraging carpooling helps to eleviate this somewhat. My only criticism is the price ($100 late registration). Yes, the big events command even higher fees, but they are not what I would classify as no frills events. Registration did not include a shirt ($15 for cotton T) nor the shuttle ($8). There were no awards (runners received a shared finisher's medallion for both the half and the full) and nothing for the participants at the finish but water and shortcake). As a former race director, I applaud the job done by the race organizers in terms of safety (plenty of water along the way) and accuracy (mile markers were right on). A bit more swag would have gone a long ways towards making this race feel like a top class local event.

This was a great race if you like small races (about 400 marathoners). If you prefer crowds cheering you on the entire time, this is not your race. With that said, I loved it. Pretty course, mostly flat, a few small rolling hills. Weather was great, except for a serious headwind on an out and back portion. Organization gets 4 stars because they started about 10 minutes late and are still working out the kinks of traffic to the start, but I showed up early and had no problems. The spectators that were out there were great, there just aren't many at all. This doesn't bother me, but might to some people. Overall I loved it, set a PR and my first BQ!

Nice cool Northwest morning. 52 at the start, 70 at the finish. Great weather, which is normal for this time of year. HOWEVER, How LAME is it to have a marathon on the 4th of July and NOT have the National Anthem. REALLY? Started 12 minutes late, so many of the 1/2 marathoners thought it was their start and got going also. Bad idea !!! Not sure what happened to them, but some figured it out between mile 4 and 6, and we were NOT on the same course at that point. Water stops were fine. Not good. FINE. Strawberry shortcake at the finish was very good. Other than that, green bananas and water. REALLY? Medal is real nice, but the same one for full and 1/2 marathoners. REALLY? WARNING. Get there an hour early. Traffic is a MESS. Not the organizers fault. But be warned, it's a one lane road to an island. GET IT ??? Plan to get there early and relax in your car. If it flat. It is fast. It could use some better organization. Enjoy.

is writing about the Portland marathon that is run in Portland in October. NOT the one on Sauvie's Island on July 4th.

This was my fist time running Portland and I was excited because I kept hearing how beautiful the course was. I guess if you like running through the warehouse district it was super scenic. Other than the bridges we ran over I didn't think it was very exciting at all. The race organization was great and they did a nice job of staging runners by speed. The expo was so-so. It was in the parking garage of a hotel and seem a hap-hazard. Not that I would let that stop you from running; I'm just noting it. Spectator support was pretty good. There were a lot of people in the first 10 miles or so then groups at certain locations and spots where there was no one to be seen. Pretty typical, I guess. I was surprised that when we ran through the Adidas campus no one was there! WTF Adidas? Don't you guys make running gear? Support the sport. Maybe all of you were running; In which case I forgive you. The swag was really good. Two shirts, a cool medal, a coin, flowers, a tree and good food. If I lived closer I'd probably run it again, but I have seen more scenic courses.

I signed up for this race as part of my quest to run a marathon in all 50 states. I could not have picked a better race in Oregon. The course was relatively flat with some small hills, and the aid stations were well staffed. The course is not easy for spectators unless they are on a bicycle because of road closures on the island. I would definitely run this race again.

I came here to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and I'm glad to say I made it! The course does have some rolling parts, but was quite fast. I actually prefer some roll to prevent monotony. There was a bit of a headwind at a few points along the course, but not a big deal. Beyond that, the weather was about 55 degrees at the start, and maybe in the low 70's at the finish. Pretty much perfect! The course was beautiful, with rolling farmland, some snowcapped peaks, and various livestock (ostriches!) along the way. I live in the city, so I found the setting quite peaceful and felt supremely focused until I hit the wall. BTW, I hit it hard, but that wasn't the race's fault. I started up front, so the one lane going out didn't seem like a big deal to me, but perhaps the organizers could reverse the direction of the course to prevent congestion as late arriving 1/2 marathoners sat in traffic watching us run by. For people complaining about traffic getting there, the organizers had about 1000 warnings that there would be traffic, so I don't know what else they can do. I am ambivalent about the fact that after the out-and-back section from about mile 5-17.5 (don't remember exactly) the marathoners rejoined the course that was quite full of half marathon walkers. On the one hand, it was kind of annoying to have to weave through groups of walkers when I was running on fumes of fumes. On the other hand, many walkers cheered for me, which made up for the lack of spectators on the course. Finally, to the 1/2 marathoner who gave me a fuel belt bottle full of Cytomax as I my hamstrings had locked up from dehydration/carb depletion around mile 25: YOU ARE THE BEST! Thank you so much for the kind gesture! Once I started running again and attempted to hand the bottle back, she just yelled, 'just throw it at me and go!' You have some good karma coming your way!

Course ok after mile 1.5. Only ~500 marathoners, but bad 1st mile squeezing through a single lane (other side was lineup of cars trying to get parked for half marathon). The few spectators were pleasant, but this rural race is not about spectators! Good race overall, but I doubt I'll be back. I just can't deal with 30+ minutes to go the last 3 miles to the parking lot before the race!

The weather was spectacular this year with a very cool start, no clouds and warmish-finish. For the most part, the full marathon course is also spectacular as you run along the river where you can see house boats, fishermen, etc. We passed a lavendar field, ostriches and lots of farms along the way. The last five or six miles are a little boring as you are running back inland but still pretty. Very well organized race. Packet pickup was at the running store and there really wasn't any swag. It's an inexpensive race but the marathon shirts were extra (still only $25) but while attractive, they were far too small to actually wear, even after trading in for a larger size. The host hotel happens to be near a fun district with great restaurants, good shopping and nightlife. There was plenty of water and electolytes on the course which were stocked even late in the a.m. Really no spectators to speak of though so take your music or plan on communing with nature - there's plenty of that. Porta-potties along with way were also sufficient. There are fantastic waterfalls, shopping and lots of things to do around Portland. Definitely visit the coast. All in all it was an extremely enjoyable time!

I agree with many of the comments here. The course is nice and great volunteers, but this marathon is way overpriced. I paid $80.88 for the marathon and $9.50 for the shuttle bus...no t-shirt. That would have been another $10, which I opted to not get. The buses need to leave earlier and provide a system where they are rolling as they fill up. The finishers medal is cute, but cheap and filled with a piece of cardboard inside the chain links. I like the concept, but please use something other than cardboard. Overall an okay event&it has potential, but the race director needs to step up the ante and improve the shuttle process and incorporate more swag for the price of this race.

What a great race! Well organized. Don't expect an expo-there isn't one. Course is very flat but beware the heat-ended at 75deg. Post race there is shortcake and hot dogs. Overall had a blast, tacked on two days on the front and toured seattle. You can go fast on this course if you are looking for a particular time. Aide stations are about every two miles but that was ok. Very few spectators and your family will have a hard time seeing you on the course. I took the shuttle and my family met me at the finish. Worked out well.

The course is beautiful, but tends to get warm in the many open areas where you are running with the breeze. The event is growing, and is already beyond the capacity of Sauvie Island's roads. The marathon start confined a race of 1000+ to a single lane for the first 2 miles, and you are breathing the exhaust of the cars lined up in the other lane trying to park and get to the Half Marathon start. Aid stations were plentiful, and friendly. This is the third race I've run where Nuun was the only electrolyte offered, and it seems to cause stomach upset. My personal preference is to have an electrolyte drink with sugar. Spectator support was weak, but there is really no easy course access for them. But if you want a beautiful rural setting, with views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Saint Helens, and Mt. Adams, come on down.

Ran the Foot Traffic marathon yesterday and I was very impressed. Great course, albeit a bit lonely at times. Well run race. Aid stations had water and electrolytes. I had a ball and would recommend this race as a casual, fun, fast marathon

I enjoyed the marathon and met my BQ time! Packet pickup was great, as was the hotel. Rode the bus, as recommended, and the course was scenic and flat, as advertised. The atmosphere was very friendly and runners and volunteers all appeared to be having fun. The half-marathoners were walking in groups; but that's to be expected at 4+ hours. I was thrilled with my time and every aspect of this race. I hope to do it again.

This was the third year I've run the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon, and probably it will be the last. There is a lot to like about this marathon, but ultimately the poor organization is a dealbreaker for me. This year we had: * Energy drink advertised at every aid station (about 2 miles) after the first. The first aid station with energy drink was at M13! Then, only every other aid station after that. By M13 I had already given up caring about this race. Running a marathon without fuel is not cool. * A large hill in the middle of the course that was not indicated on the course map. * Poorly placed mile markers. * And the usual issues - horrendous traffic and a course clogged by the slower half marathoners. (They start after the marathoners, but the marathoners do an out-and-back, winding up behind them.)

This course is beautiful, and there is a farm at the start/finish area where my family had a great time seeing the animals and walking around while I ran. The post-race refreshments were tasty (and fun for the July 4th festivities), and the medal is one of the coolest I've seen in my 18 marathons (it's made from a recycled bike chain). The course is on an island, so the traffic was crazy, and a lot of runners were late for the start, but that is not the fault of the race directors, who offered shuttles, encouraged car pooling, and warned about the traffic. The one downside is the price; it's a bit pricey for the size of the event, and the t-shirt is not included in the event cost. The race directors said it's equivalent to a Rock 'n' Roll marathon (it's not, in size or entertainment), and the price seems a little steep for this level of event.

Getting there was a hassle, and by the time I started the full marathon, the start was almost 20 minutes past. So for the first 6 miles or so, I was almost completely alone. I chose this race knowing there would be few crowds or real sights (the scenery is beautiful but isn't very diverse), so it was kind of nice to run by myself for a while. Once I caught up with the back of the pack of marathoners, it was nice to slowly weave through all of the walkers and slower runners. The vibe is much different at the back, and kind of nice - no one is throwing an elbow as they cut you off; people are just plodding along (myself included). The course was flat, the weather was great, there were no crowds to speak of, which all meant a relaxing morning marathon.

What more could you want, especially in one of the only July marathons in the U.S.? This was my Oregon marathon in my 50-mile quest, and although I had thought about Eugene, I'm glad I picked this one. Here's why: Pros: 1. Great area to visit, especially in the summer. I stayed at the Holiday Inn next to the hotel where the buses left at 5 a.m. (since that hotel was sold out). It was convenient, and next to a cool area of Portland (Nob Hill) with lots of good restaurants. Moved to a nice downtown hotel after the race and saw an impressive Fourth of July fireworks show about a half-mile away; then I drove out to Mount Hood and stayed at the Timberline Lodge and skied on Tuesday after a stop at the fun McMenamins Edgefield - great par-3 golf course, restaurants, etc. Then on to Hood River to see the wind surfers and the wonderful Skamania Lodge and Multnomah Falls, etc., if you need any vacation ideas.... 2. Course was pretty, mostly flat, and easy to run. Fewer than 400 runners. Mile markers were accurate. Plenty of aid stations and nice volunteers. All your needs were provided for. The half walkers were only a minor irritant. 3. Cute start/finish area. Good enough food at the end, with the shortcake being unique. Nice farmer's market. 4. Nice, small-town feel. The anti-Rock 'n Roll experience. 5. Lots of money raised for the local fire department. 6. Nice temps - 54 at the start? 7. I spotted a bald eagle flying over. 8. No expo to mess with. Just showed up at a running store, picked up my bib, and was out of there. No obnoxious commercialism. No t-shirt unless you wanted to pay for one. Cons: 1. Traffic coming in was kind of bad, although my 5 a.m. bus went quickly and we were there by 5:45 for the 6:30 start. Runners were sprinting to the start as we had headed out, and there was a long line of traffic. But we were all warned to get there early. And they started using buses this year and will presumably increase the number. 2. The medal is a little weak, but still cute. 3. The name is weak, and why emphasize flatness? Chicago could be called the Chicago Flat Marathon, right? Oh, for marketing, I get it. 4. No AG awards. 5. Results took 2 days to get online.

Awesome. Race packet pick up was a breeze. Staffed perfectly. Helpful. Nice. Great deals on clothing too! ;) LOVED the race medal. LOVED reaching my PR goal!! 3:20! YAY!! Love the "smaller" marathons. This was my favorite by far.

You could have not asked for a nicer course with any better weather than what was experienced at this race. Like a previous poster said, they advertised flat and fast, and it sure was!! This was my 26th marathon and with temps in the low 50's on a flat course I was able to set a new PR by 2 minutes. Like a few others, I flew across the country as well, and I also ran on about 2 hours on sleep, but it did not affect my race at all. The friendly vibe of the spectators, race officials, and fellow runners, as well as the scrumptious strawberry shortcake, were the icing on the cake of a well-put-together race. Highly recommended!!

I really enjoyed this race. Beautiful course! Great staff willing to accommodate the needs of the runners. Fun and supportive volunteers. Plus, the medal is one of the coolest I've ever gotten. This is a great small-town race with tons of friendly people who let you know you're appreciated. My only room for suggestion would be for the shuttles to run longer. Us 5-hour finishers didn't have any time to enjoy the festivities and spend our money to support more of the fire department's fundraisers before having to catch the last shuttle from the island. Just something to think about. Thanks for a great race!

Wow, I PR'ed and almost qualified for Boston on this course! However, I am used to running in extreme heat with no water. They promised flat, and it was. They promised fast, and it was. The island is so quaint and it was a great place to hold a race. The petting barn and strawberry shortcake were nice treats. As for those complaining about the traffic, the website warned you... just plan accordingly. I still think that there could be more water stops with larger cups and I would have liked to have seen at least one timing pad and one race clock somewhere on the course. Kudos to Sean, the race director, who organized a great event and even personally helped me resolve a registration problem. All in all, a great race. I flew all the way across the country for a stay of less than 24 hours, but I was not disappointed. If you need OR for 50 states like I did, this marathon is a must-do!

This is my 3rd half-marathon - the other two I've done were larger races, but I thought the smaller, hometown feel of this race was really charming... and I felt much more relaxed!! I disagree that there weren't enough aid stations (at least for the half). One every 2 miles seemed to be enough - take 2 cups of water if you need! The weather was perfect, not too hot, and the course truly was flat. I am a slower runner (12-minute miles), but it was frustrating to have to go around so many walkers walking 4 across and not paying attention. A separate "walker start" was advertised, but it didn't seem to happen (or maybe some of the walkers didn't get the memo). I'm not knocking walkers - I think it's great - I just wish people would be more conscious of others around them. Toward the end I saw a LOT of marathoners having to dodge walkers - that has to be frustrating when you are trying to qualify for Boston. Overall, it was a lot of fun and the shortcake was delicious!