Portland Marathons

Portland is a city full of active, nature-loving people, with lots of runners in particular. Oregon is known for its friendliness to runners, with some of the sport’s greats hailing from Oregon from birth, or from college years. Whether you’re ready to train for your first marathon or you’re an elite athlete, you’ll find a variety of marathons and half marathons in the Portland area to keep you motivated in your training. With many dates postponed or rescheduled in the past year, races are starting to take place again as the year comes to a close and the 2022 calendar is full. Read on for some of the best upcoming races in the area.

Foot Traffic Holiday Half

While most people are consuming their weight in holiday treats, you can run in the festive Foot Traffic Holiday Half. Runners will be cheered on by carolers along the course, and you can even grab a gingerbread cookie for a quick carb burst during some of the toughest miles. You’ll enjoy the beautiful course, which will take you over Historic St. John’s Bridge, through the University of Portland campus, and along the Willamette River. And of course you can expect all the fun of a holiday party at the finish line.

Y2K Run Half Marathon

Start the new year with a beautiful, challenging half marathon course. You can expect a rural, hilly course with beautiful views of the country. At the end of the race, sit down for a pancake breakfast with your friends and competitors to kick off a great year.

Champoeg Marathon and Half Marathon

Both the marathon and half marathon in this event will take you through forests, fields, and wetlands. The variety of terrain will keep you engaged on the tougher miles, with awe-inspiring views all along the course. You can expect a mostly flat course, with some loops, all in a historic area.

ORRC Vernonia Marathon and Half Marathon

What could be more quintessentially Oregon than a tree-lined marathon course? This race is a Boston qualifier, with gorgeous scenery and 23 miles blocked off for all vehicles. You’ll enjoy a pancake breakfast at the end, and lifelong memories of the views along the Vernonia State Trail and abandoned railroad bed.

Willamette Valley Marathon and Half Marathon

For one of the most spectacularly scenic courses and best post-race celebration, consider the Willamette Valley marathon or half marathon. The course begins at the Oregon State Capitol for both the marathon and the half marathon, and both races finish up at Salem’s Riverfront Park. The post-race celebration includes catered lunch and wine pairings. You can expect a fast, flat course, with 100% of the course on the paved ground through downtown Salem and paved trails outside the city. Post-race massages will also be included.

Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon

Beginning on the Washington side, this racecourse takes runners over the Bridge of the Gods, making for a spectacular start to the race. Even though this race will take place in August, runners will keep cool running under a thick canopy of trees and crossing 4 creeks throughout the course.

Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon

For a new way to experience Oregon’s wine country, you might enjoy running a half marathon through beautiful countryside with views of vineyards all along the course. This race is a critical part of fundraising for youth programs in the area, so you can enjoy a beautiful race while knowing you’re supporting crucial programs for the community and the local economy.

Portland Marathon

The historic marathon will be reinvented this year, under new management. With two entirely new routes, both the marathon and half marathon have been redesigned to be fast courses that highlight some of the best sites Portland has to offer. Professional photographers will be set up along the course to capture your experience, and the photos will be available to runners free of charge.

Many consider Portland to be the birthplace of modern distance running, so where better to run your next marathon?

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