Looking forward to an amazing 40th Anniversary!

On Sunday, October 9, 2011 runners and walkers from all 50 states, and from 21 foreign countries, will fill the streets of downtown Portland for the 40th Annual Portland Marathon!

The Portland Marathon is ranked as one of the top ten largest marathons in the United States, and among the top 10 distance-running events in the world by Runner's World. The publication also named the event one of the "best organized" and "greenest" marathons in the country.

Over the 26.2-mile course, the Portland Marathon will feature more than 83 bands and entertainers at 53 locations. This is just one of the features that makes the Portland Marathon unique to other distance-running events in the country.

This year's events include:

• 26.2-mile Marathon Run and Walk
• 13.1-mile Half Marathon
• 10k Downhill Dash
• 10k Family Walk
• Kids' Fun Run & Festival on Saturday
• Two-day Sports & Fitness Expo
• Post-event Awards Party
• Three-day National Event Directors' College

Greeting from the Event Director

We are Ready. Are you?

Our Marathon Committee has worked hard this year tending to the details that make for a great event. Our volunteers are ready to help you...one for every three of our participants.

Our Expo is shaping up to be terrific. And as part of our 40th Anniversary we've planned a special post-event party, complete with Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers and Jeff Galloway...and a piece of our 40th Anniversary Cake for each attendee. So count on a fun weekend in Portland.

Your Assignment: Please study the start and finish area maps that are in this Newsletter. The key for our Marathoners and Half Marathoners is to know where your start corral is located. Check your color when you get your bib at the Expo and then plan ahead on how to go to your corral. And please notice we are having participants enter from Yamhill St., Jefferson St., and Naito Parkway only. And, the key to finding your corral: Use the Hilton and the Willamette River as your reference points.

Please note that our Kid's Fun Run & Festival is still open for registration. The event will be held Saturday, October 8th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Lincoln High School. It is easy to get to by MAX Light Rail. There will be three runs later in the morning, plus lots of entertainment and activities for the whole family. The Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Timbers mascots will be there to join in the party, and kids will be also meet the riders and horses of Portland's Mounted Police Patrol. Bring the whole family for this morning of fun and fitness.

In the last newsletter we were excited to announce a local Portland Company, Greenlayer will be providing our 2011 signature marathon gear. Their brand of environmentally responsible apparel combines style, performance, and comfort...so be sure to visit Greenlayer's store at the Expo. Look for an email preview coming soon of what will be available at their store.

So do your final preparations, relax and get ready to enjoy yourself at our 40th Anniversary Celebration on October 9th!!

____________________
Les Smith, Event Director

Everything you need to know about event weekend!

• Get your weekend event schedule HERE
• Course maps, spectator guide, start area and finish area maps for the marathon and half marathon can be found HERE
• 27th Annual Sports & Fitness Expo info is HERE
• Kids Festival info is HERE
• Street closures click HERE
• Downhill 10k Dash info is HERE
• Want to know where to meet your family or find your clothing after the event? Click HERE
• Still have questions? Email us at info@portlandmarathon.org, tweet us @pdxmarathon or send us a note on Facebook. You can also call us 503.226.1111. Everything you need to know is in this newsletter!

For marathon runners and walkers - Bring your photo ID, bib number and a copy of your registration confirmation if you have it. You MUST pick up your own race packet. If you registered online for the marathon walk or run, go to www.portlandmarathon.org to find your bib numbers.

Where do I check in if I'm entered in the Racewalk or marathon Nordic Walk competition?

Please check in at the Racewalk/Nordic Walk table at the Expo. We will have bib numbers and instructions for all registered racewalk and Nordic Walk participants. If you need to switch to either of these divisions this weekend, we can also help participants do this. Questions? Please stop by the check in table or email us at ptldmarathonwalks@yahoo.com

Can I pick up my packet on race day if I'm a marathon runner/walker?

No. There is NO day of race entry or packet pickup. The Sports & Fitness Expo is on Friday, Oct. 7th from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 8th from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., in the Ballroom and Exhibit Hall of the downtown Hilton Portland and Executive Tower.

What if I'm registered for the full marathon and want to stop half way through at 13.1?

You cannot jump from the full marathon into the half marathon. Why? Simply and with all respect, the answer is no. If a Marathon participant is not able to finish the whole course, for whatever reason, the Half-Marathon is NOT a secondary option. Instead, please follow these Event Guidelines:

• Run, and stay on the full marathon course and drop out at the 1/2 marathon mark of the full marathon course.
• The location of mile 13.1 is on St Helens Road. There is good access to the location from NW Yeon Ave and downtown. This is an easy place for someone to arrange a pick up.
• In addition the 1/2 marathon point is marked, it is a chip read position. The time for a person who misses the later chip points will automatically cause the name not to be posted in the results. However, if someone who drops out notifies us a week or two after the event we can provide them a time from our un-posted file.

What can I expect at the start line if I'm a marathon runner/walker?

We have a corral system for our wave start. Everyone will be assigned to a corral. Each corral has a distinctive color and letter. Please look carefully at the start area map and determine the route you will take to get into your corral. Do not be late!

There will be plenty of room in each corral area. And there will be porta potties in each. Also a clothing check drop. Go to your corral and please stay there until you are told to move forward. This new wave start will ensure a safe and faster event for everyone. Remember, the event is chip timed. You do not get to the start line until your wave, but the result will be the same as if you were in the first wave.

Click HERE to see a start map.

What will the start area look like if I'm a marathon runner/walker?

For more information, click HERE
See our Facebook FAN page for a copy of the corral map.

What should I expect on race day if I'm a marathon runner/walker?

For more information, click HERE

If I am on a marathon run or walk team, do I have to run/walk the whole race?

Yes. You can have as many team members as you like, but this is NOT a relay format, each participant much complete the course.

Is the Portland Marathon a Boston Qualifier?

Yes. The Portland Marathon is a U.S. Track and Field sanctioned and certified course. The Boston Marathon accepts our runners, provided they qualify for their age group. A disc of our results is sent to Boston. You need only apply.

What are the aid stations like? Can I walk through them or do I have to keep running? Are they crowded?

Click HERE to learn more.

What if I have to use the bathroom on the course?

Click HERE to find out.

Will there be live results?

Yes, these will be on our homepage, www.portlandmarathon.org

Will my GPS or Garmin read 26.2 or 13.1 when I am finished?

No. See article below.

What if I don't see my question answered here?

More Q&A can be found HERE. Our website, www.portlandmarathon.org, has lots of great information. We are also available on Facebook and Twitter. Volunteers and helpers will be also available at the Sports & Fitness Expo to help with any remaining questions you have. Or, contact us by clicking HERE

Parking is available on street away from the Marathon Course and start/finish area. Please do not park anywhere in the start area, or your car will be towed. Please see map HERE to know where not to go.

Additional parking is available downtown in parking garages for a fee. On race day street closures may make finding parking more difficult. Please remember to allow extra travel time to deal with the congestion of race day so you can arrive at your assigned location as scheduled.

At other areas along the course, be sure to pay attention to parking signs when parking your car.

Due to congestion around the start area, we recommend volunteers working in the start/finish area use MAX or other public transit. For a list of Park and Ride locations, visit www.trimet.org. On MAX, Coming from Hillsboro/Beaverton riders can get off MAX at 4th and Yamhill. Coming from Gresham/Lloyd Center get off MAX at 4th & Morrison. In each case, the Marathon start/finish area is only three blocks away. For further details and schedules for MAX and busses please refer to the TriMet website at www.trimet.org.

What should I wear to volunteer?

If working outside, please make sure to wear layers as the weather is changeable this time of year.

What about food if I'm a volunteer?

It is best to bring a snack or lunch given the need for flexibility in assignments.

Can I secure my valuables while I work as a volunteer?

We cannot secure your valuables. We recommend you do not bring a purse or backpack because we do not have a secure storage location.

Can I still sign up to volunteer?

We want to thank everyone for the amazing response we received for volunteers! This event would not be possible without your support. We do not need any additional volunteers at this time, but we'd love to have your help as a spectator cheering on and encouraging the runners and walkers.

What if I don't see my question answered here?

More Q&A can be found HERE. Our website, www.portlandmarathon.org, has lots of great information. We are also available on Facebook and Twitter. Volunteers and helpers will be also available at the Sports & Fitness Expo to help with any remaining questions you have. Or, contact us by clicking HERE

With over 15,000 people converging downtown, the Portland Marathon strongly recommends public transportation for participants and spectators. Portland's MAX light rail system has many convenient park & ride locations and will drop you off just a few blocks from the start/finish line. Please use the trip planner at TriMet.org to plan your trip on race day, and please plan to arrive downtown by 6 a.m.

Park & Ride Locations

Lloyd Center (NE Holladay & 11th)
Street parking is free, and so is the 10-minute light rail ride. Get off at SW 3rd and Morrison.

Eastside - Gateway Transit Center (1321 NE 99th Ave.)
Just 25 minutes to downtown. Get off at SW 3rd and Morrison.

Beaverton/Hillsboro - Sunset Transit Center (10470 SW Barnes Rd.)
Just 20 minutes to downtown. Get off at Mall/SW 4th.

PARKING DOWNTOWN

On-Street Parking
If you park downtown, please plan to arrive by 5:45 a.m. Parking is free until 1:00 p.m. and can be pre-paid for an additional 60-90 minutes. Park west of SW Broadway or south of SW Clay St. to avoid the immediate start/finish area.

Garage Parking
There are several garages within easy walking distance of the start/finish. The SmartPark garage on SW 10th and Yamhill is one of the largest and most accessible. See driving directions below.

From the NORTH on I-5 South:
Take Exit 302B, to I-405 toward Beaverton and St. Helens
Take Exit 2A toward Couch St. and Burnside St.
Turn Left onto Burnside St.
Turn Right onto 11th
Turn Left onto Yamhill St.
Turn Left onto SW 10th
Park in the SmartPark garage on your right at SW 10th and Yamhill

From the EAST on I-84 West
Take I-5 North toward Seattle
Take Exit 302B, to I-405 toward Beaverton and St. Helens
Take Exit 2A toward Couch St. and Burnside St.
Turn Left onto Burnside
Turn Right onto 11th
Turn Left onto Yamhill St.
Turn Left onto SW 10th
Park in the SmartPark garage on your right at SW 10th and Yamhill

From the WEST on Highway 26 East
Get into the left lane towards I-405 N, St. Helens and Seattle
Take Exit 2B toward Everett St.
Turn Right onto NW Everett St.
Turn Right onto 11th
Turn Left onto Yamhill St.
Turn Left onto SW 10th
Park in the SmartPark garage on your right at SW 10th and Yamhill

Option 2 - Street Parking:
From the center lane on Hwy. 26, take Market St. exit; street parking west of Broadway.

From the SOUTH on 1-5 North
Get in the left lanes, and take exit 299B toward I-405/City Center
Take Exit 2B toward Everett St.
Turn Right onto NW Flanders St.
Turn Right onto 11th
Turn Left onto Yamhill St.
Turn Left onto SW 10th
Park in the SmartPark garage on your right at SW 10th and Yamhill

Option 2 - Street Parking:
Get in the left lanes, and take exit 299B toward I-405/City Center Take exit 1C to SW 6th Ave; street parking south of SW Clay St.