My very first marathon was the 2006 Portland Marathon. I didn’t love the course, especially the long stretch through the industrial depression that leads to the St. John’s bridge. Afterwards, I told myself I never needed to run that course ever again, and I didn’t. I ran marathons in Victoria, Seattle, San Francisco, Eugene, and Vernonia, but had no desire to run Portland ever again. Then 2019 came, and the marathon came under new ownership…
Since 1984 the Portland Marathon Clinic (PMC) has prepared local runners for the Portland Marathon. But this summer, for the first time since Patti and Warren Finke founded the Clinic 35 years ago with the official support of the Portland Marathon, there will be no PMC. Even without the Clinic and the free Saturday runs, though, I’m confident that the PMC’s influence on marathon training will continue to be felt by Portland runners. “I speak…
This Saturday is the very last Portland Marathon Clinic for 2017. The run this weekend is a nice 8-mile taper run, starting from Mountain Hardwear at 722 SW Taylor St. in downtown Portland. This run will start promptly at 8a, so arrive no later than 7:45a; doors open at 7:30a. Because this run is less than 10 miles, there will not be any aid stations set up for this route. Please be prepared with your…
This week’s Portland Marathon Clinic free long run will start from the Athleta Store at Washington Square Mall in Tigard, just off the 217. The run itself will start promptly at 8a, but the mall opens at 6a so you should have no problem getting in to the store on time. The route itself is a 16-miler of primarily flat paths with a good amount of shade – click here to check it out. The…
Only a few Portland Marathon Clinic training runs left before the race! It was announced earlier this week that the race’s permit was finally approved, so registrants have been breathing sighs of relief knowing they’ll get a bib to pin on for their money. This Saturday’s run offers 16 and 20 mile routes, leaving from the Road Runner Sports in NW Portland. The exact address is at 29 NW 23rd, and is just of Burnside…
This week’s Portland Marathon Clinic is the only Clinic run that is not free … it’s the 20-mile Brunch Run! And if you didn’t have tickets before, you’re pretty much outta luck. The only way to be involved now is to volunteer at an aid station for them if there are still opportunities there, otherwise, for those of you that already bought your tickets: the buses leave Willamette Park at 7:30a. This is earlier than the usual…
It is September 2 this Saturday – only five 2017 Portland Marathon Clinic Runs this season! But that doesn’t mean the hard work is done. This may be the hardest segment, because you are doing consistent high mileage when your body has been working hard for months. But you are also stronger, including mentally, so keep that in mind when you lace up to head out! This Saturday’s run, starting at 8a, will leave from…
This week’s Portland Marathon Clinic free long run is another 20-miler, this one starting from Mountain Hardwear at 722 SW Taylor St. in downtown Portland. There are some parking garages nearby if you are driving to the run. The store will open at 7:30a, but the bathroom line will likely be long so please take care of business ahead of time if you can. This weekend’s run is an out-and-back along Terwilliger Blvd and into…
This weekend, the PMC will be running 16 miles (they’re in the “castle” portion of the training where runners do 20-16-20-16) from the NW Portland Road Runner Sports Location at 29 NW 23rd place (just off Burnside and NW 23rd). Important note: Don’t park in the shopping center’s lot – you’ll get a ticket! Instead look for a 5-hour meter on the street, take the streetcar, or park elsewhere and walk to the run. As…
The Portland Marathon Clinic is running 20 miles this weekend and will be on the course (both the course proposed for this year and the previous course). As a bonus, there are 8 aid stations on the run with hydration; you’ll want to bring your own as well, and some snacks. Click here to see the map with mile markers. The run will start at SW 4th and Main, and then skip the first few…
