If you are running a fall marathon – especially the 2017 Portland Marathon – you need to know about the Portland Marathon Clinic. The Clinic offers personalized training plans, nutrition and training information, speedwork sessions, and free Saturday long runs. While this post is primarily about the free long runs, I encourage you to check out the Clinic, which is only $125 and comes with a ton of useful information. If you are signing up for your first marathon, you can’t do much better in terms of what you get for that price, and you’ll arrive at the start line with a more solid training plan and better mental preparation.
The free Saturday long runs are just that: free, on Saturdays, and at mileage scheduled to prepare you for the 2017 Portland Marathon. Trained pace-group leaders (I was one for a summer – it’s a blast!) lead up to 12 pace groups so runners don’t get lost and have ongoing support through the summer. All that is asked of attendees is that they volunteer at an aid station once over the summer to support their fellow participants. There is one run for which you have to buy a ticket – the “Brunch Run” – and that’s because they bus you to a starting location and there is a hot breakfast for you at the finish.
While runs are scheduled based on a mileage progression for the 2017 Portland Marathon, you do not have to be signed up for or planning to run that race, or any race. You can just come for the run and enjoy getting to meet other runners. It is a low-pressure environment with a lot of support.
Bookmark this post, share it, print it out – and then have a wonderful summer! Or check back here every Thursday at 5 for reminders, including my mom-minder to wear sunscreen. All runs start at 8a except the Brunch Run (see below), and all are in Portland unless otherwise noted. Bring hydration and nutrition to each run. There are usually restrooms at the start/finish and on the route, but try to take care of any serious business before you arrive.
2017 Portland Marathon Clinic Run Schedule
Run #1: April 8 – 4, 6, and 8 miles from Mountain Hardwear – 722 SW Taylor
Run #2: April 15 – 5, 7, and 9 miles from Road Runner Sports Tualatin – in the Nyberg Woods Shopping Plaza, off I-5 at exit 289 for Nyberg Rd.
Run #3: April 22 – 6, 8, and 10 miles from Kelley Point Park – in North Portland
Run #4: April 29 – 7, 9, and 10 miles from Athleta Brewery Blocks – 1001 NW Couch St
Run #5: May 6 – 8 and 10 miles from ClubSport Oregon – 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd in Tigard
Run #6: May 13 – 9, 10, and 12 miles from Road Runner Sports Tualatin – in the Nyberg Woods Shopping Plaza, off I-5 at exit 289 for Nyberg Rd.
Run #7: May 20 – 10 and 12 miles from Road Runner Sports NW 23rd – 29 NW 23rd Place
Run #8: May 27 – 10, 12 and 13 miles from Athleta Washington Square – 9530 Washington Square Rd
Run #9: June 3 – 10, 12 and 14 miles on the Springwater Corridor route from Main City Park in Gresham
Run #10: June 10 – 12, 13, and 15 miles from Road Runner Sports Tualatin – in the Nyberg Woods Shopping Plaza, off I-5 at exit 289 for Nyberg Rd.
Run #11: June 17 – 12, 14, and 16 miles from Mountain Hardwear – 722 SW Taylor
Run #12: June 24 – 13, 15, and 16 miles from ClubSport Oregon – 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd in Tigard
Run #13: July 1 – 14 and 16 miles from Road Runner Sports NW23rd – 29 NW 23rd Place
Run #14: July 8 – 15, 16 and 18 miles from Athleta Brewery Blocks – 1001 NW Couch St
Run #15: July 15 – 16 and 18 miles from Mountain Hardwear – 722 SW Taylor
Run #16: July 22 – 16 and 19 miles from Road Runner Sports NW 23rd – 29 NW 23rd Place
Run #17: July 29 – 16, 18 and 20 miles at Vancouver Lake – off the I-5 at 4th Plain Exit (exit 1D going west) in Washington
Run #18: August 5 – 16 and 20 miles from Road Runner Sports Tualatin – in the Nyberg Woods Shopping Plaza, off I-5 at exit 289 for Nyberg Rd.
Run #19: August 12 – 20 miles on the Marathon Course, starting at SW 4th and Main – in downtown Portland
Run #20: August 19 – 16 miles from Road Runner Sports NW 23rd – 29 NW 23rd Place
Run #21: August 26 – 20 miles from Mountain Hardwear – 722 SW Taylor
Run #22: September 2 – 16 miles from Road Runner Sports Tualatin – in the Nyberg Woods Shopping Plaza, off I-5 at exit 289 for Nyberg Rd.
Run #23: September 9 @ 7:30a – 20 miles on the point-to-point Brunch Run Course; park at the run’s end at Willamette Park in the John’s Landing neighborhood (you need to buy a ticket; they will go on sale in August)
Run #24: September 16 – 16 and 20 miles from Road Runner Sports NW 23rd – 29 NW 23rd Place
Run #25: September 23 – 16 miles from Athleta Washington Square – 9530 Washington Square Rd
Run #26: September 30 – 8 miles from Mountain Hardwear – 722 SW Taylor
Race: Portland Marathon – Sunday, October 8, 2017
