If you’re looking for a half marathon or full marathon in the Portland metro area for July 4, check out the Cook Park Marathon/Half. I’ve run a number of races at Cook Park, and it’s one of my favorite venues because it’s easy to get to, it offers plenty of parking, it has a nice staging area with bathrooms and a covered picnic area, and the surrounding area that you run through is an interesting mix of riverbed, trees, and parks.
The race course is a 4.37 mile loop that follows most of the paved paths in Cook and Durham Parks as well as stretch on the Tualatin River Trail. The half marathon runs the loop three times; the marathon, six times. The aid station is at the start/finish line. While the route crosses that point only at the beginning/end of a loop, runners shouldn’t be more than a mile and a half away at the farthest.
A few other key points:
- the race is capped at 100 total participants, with 25 spots reserved each for the half and full marathon
- race shirts are available for purchase for $15 until June 12
- the marathon is NOT Boston-qualifying
- each finisher receives a medal
- course closes after 7 hours (see below regarding special start time if more time is needed)
Cook Park Marathon/Half
When: July 3, 2017, at 7:00 a.m. (special 6:00 a.m. start time available for those needing more than 5 hours; contact race director if more than 8 hours is needed)
Where: Cook Park, 17005 SW 92nd Avenue, Tigard, Oregon
Register: Online here ($55 for marathon; $50 for half marathon; each will also add a processing fee)