It had been a long time since I ran one of Portland’s staple events—Bridge to Brews. My last go at it was way back when they used to close down part of the Fremont bridge so runners could literally cruise along the freeway. That’s how long ago it was. Since then, time’s passed, policies have changed, and races have evolved—and I’ve got to say, the 2025 Bridge to Brews version was top-notch.
To be fair, the weather probably helped tip things toward awesome. April 13 gave us one of the first true “spring” days of the year—no rain, bright blue skies, and perfect race temps in the low to mid 50s at the start. It felt like the city was rolling out the red carpet. You can’t count on weather like that in Portland, but it seriously made a difference.
The race kicked off and finished at Tom McCall Waterfront Park, a go-to for big downtown events. The starting line was set up on Naito Parkway, with plenty of open green space and waterfront access for warming up, stretching, or just taking in the pre-race vibes.
Bridge to Brews had three race options—10K, 8K, and 5K—with all routes offering the signature bridge-hopping experience. The 8K and 10K courses were mostly identical until a late split sent 10K runners out toward the Springwater Trail for a little extra mileage.
The first mile took us through blocked-off downtown streets and Chinatown before curving up onto the Broadway Bridge. That gradual incline was probably the toughest section of the course. Once we crested the bridge, we dropped down near the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and swung past the Rose Garden before hopping onto the Eastbank Esplanade. That led us onto the lower deck of the Steel Bridge and brought us back to the west side and, around mile three, we passed the start area again – heading south this time.
Another on-ramp climb brought us onto the Morrison Bridge and across the river again into the Central Eastside. Now, here’s where things got a little personally dicey.
Around the area near OMSI, the 8K and 10K courses split, but the signage wasn’t super clear (at least to me and a few others). I missed the turn onto the Hawthorne Bridge and didn’t realize it until about a quarter mile later – when a motorcycle was headed back towards me with a couple other runners behind it – informing us that the turn was missed.
Could I have studied the course map more? Absolutely. Still, I didn’t see any signage, and at least the runners around me seemed equally confused (or else I would chalk it being do being an idiot). Looking at the results later, it seems like a few folks had similar detours, judging by a few sudden 2–4 minute mile increases between miles 4 and 5. Lesson learned: know the course—even if you think you know the area.
Once back on track, we crossed the Hawthorne Bridge and cruised the final stretch down Naito Parkway—a familiar finish if you’ve run the Shamrock Run. At the finish line, we were handed a really cool medal (the new add on design they’re rolling out through 2028 is worth checking out), and the beer garden was already buzzing. Each runner got four drink tokens, and with about 10 breweries on hand and very generous pours, two beers before 10 a.m. was more than enough for me.
All in all, it was a fantastic race. Even with a few thousand people out there, it never felt crowded. It’s such a great way to experience Portland’s bridges at speed—without having to dodge cars or bikes like you might on a casual run. While Shamrock has its own massive, festive vibe, Bridge to Brews hits a perfect sweet spot: solid competition, beautiful course, iconic landmarks, and of course, beer. Definitely worth adding to your calendar for next year.
