Portland Marathon (Read 721 times)

I know this one is several months out and don't have my mileage where it needs to be to do San Diego in June, was thinking about doing Portland in Oct. Anyone here run this or planing to? It looks (website) like it is a well organized event. This would be bit of a run for nostalgia for me as I used to live in Portland several years ago and used to work less than a block from the starting line.

I am considering Victoria, BC this October, because my friend wants to run a fast marathon and doesn't want to go to Nashville for the Monkey! I've heard good things about Portland.

I did Victoria last year and was with my Aunt and Uncle who have done at least a dozen marathons. They said that Victoria was actually one of the slower courses that they have done. While there are no mega hills, the course does roll quite a bit. As it was the first marathon I have ever run I don't have anything to compare this to, and/or validate the comment. They said Portland is a much faster and flatter race. As well, they had a friend who had previously done BQ's in all his previous marathons, but missed it in the Victoria race. I myself am in deliberations of whether to do Victoria or Portland. This thread is of much interest to me.

FWIW - Mens course record for Victoria is 2:16:49 while for portland its 2:17:21, however PDX has at least 10 finishes in sub 2:19:30 while Victoria has 2. However some of this might be that Portland attracts a fair number of Japanese runners and Victoria doesnt seem to...just from a brief perusal of history.

Well a group of us from Alaska have registered for Victoria and are not planning to break any land speed records, are looking forward to a sea level marathon. I just happen to LOVE Canadians...and its mostly along the water. A much smaller croud than Portland which also translates to less croud support which is just fine with me. Next year I'll look at the Monkey.

Now that the Victoria marathoners have successfully hijacked this thread, can anyone tell me/us why the Portland marathon would be the better choice?

For me? Because I live here and it is hard to travel with small kids to races. Better to let the family sleep in their own beds and maybe come down to the finish. For you? Because you have already done Victoria? I've never run Victoria so I cant really compare. I would hardly call portland a flat run.

Thought I would try and get this puppy (thread) up and running again. Come on guys... Let's have another show of hands on who's doing this. Need all the motivation I get get going into my official (18) week training cycle starting June 2nd. My mileage, due to getting sick and moving, suffered the last few weeks... I should be on track by next week going into the first week of training in the high 30's. I think part of my apprehension is the "real" summer is about to kick off here in Phoenix which means most of my runs are going to have to be done before the sun comes up. My plan will have me peak out around ( 52) mpw. My goal for this one is a BQ attempt @ 3:45. The strategy is to run a 3:40 pace through twenty allowing for a 5 min. fade for the last 10K.