I missed the sign up by probably 30 minutes today, I couldn't be more mad at myself right now. What would be my best 2nd option for another cities marathon? I would prefer something closer than to far but I would hate this training to go to waste. This was going to be my first marathon and I have been so excited. Please give me some ideas.

Seattle Marathon is November 28th. A lot of folks use it as an alternative. Ask your coach about rearranging your schedule to extend your training until then.

Another great place to look is www.marathonguide.com. This link should take you directly to their calendar for U.S. races.

Good Luck!

the Victoria Marathon is the same date 10-10-10. It's a little farther than seattle but I've heard it has a really beautiful course.

Victoria BC is also 10/10/10

http://www.runvictoriamarathon.com/events/register.php

Robin

I've run the Victoria BC marathon before, it's on the same weekend as Portland. You have to hurry up and get a room, though, they fill up quick. It's a bit hillier than Portland, but a pretty route. It's also smaller than Portland, so the route starts getting empty after 5 hours.

lj

For those who may not have gotten into the Portland Marathon, there are still charity slots for the Inaugural Half Marathon with the NF Endurance team available. Sign up at www.nfendurance.org/portland. they have a $600 minumum fund raising committment.

The Portland Marathon website, as of today (Monday, Aug. 2nd), says that in 48 hours there will be charity spots available. I don't know exactly what that means, but look into it! Maybe it's not too late!

patti

Hi Nick - I did the same thing. I have signed up for the Bellingham Marathon. It is two weeks earlier so I am adjusting my training a little. There is also the Victoria Marathon on the same day as the PDX Marathon, but it was a bit far away.

Here's another possibility 10/24/10: http://www.columbiagorgemarathon.com/

Since I too missed registration for PDX I'll probably be doing this one. A running buddy ran it last year and liked it enough to want to do it again this year.

Word of caution.
The Columbia Gorge marathon could be a rude awakening if you're not prepared for the hills.
http://www.columbiagorgemarathon.com/cours...arathon-course/

You're either running up a hill or running down a hill.
I don't think there's a full flat mile on the course at any one point. I've never run it but I'm looking at the course info and elevation guide.

Your legs are going to take a beating. Your time will be different than flatter faster course.
Flip side, the run could be very beautiful and challenging... if you run your goal time there you're a stud and could do that anywhere.

Update: The Columbia Gorge Marathon certainly lives up to its "most scenic" billing. The absolute beauty of the course helps to carry you through the relentless up up first half. Yes, the hills are killer and not conducive to a PR unless its your first 26.2. The weather was wild, but so varied that it really wasn't a factor, at least for me. Those hills wouldn't have been any less steep under blue skies. The event was very well staged with amply stocked aid stations and volunteers at key intersections and corners. Post event hot fresh-pressed cider, soup and taco bar all set up in a heated tent were a most welcome respite.

There were 250 registered marathoners and 750 half-marathoners. With a civilized 9 am "ready, set, go" start, and 30 minutes between the 26.2 and 13.1, this race was a pleasant change from the jostle of the larger marathons with their parking problems and mile log porta-potty lines.

If you are thinking you might give this one a try next year, do add in more hill work (I didn't do enough) in your training regime if you are hoping for a time-wise good finish. Once you've run this one, I'm betting most others will seem flat!

Have to agree that this was one tough marathon, and the weather played a big part of it being so. Really liked the feel of the smallness of it all. Taco Del Mar at the heated tent finish?? Oh, Yeah!!

I wish I had known there were other PFitters out there. I saw one guy in last year's T-shirt, cheered him on a bit.

I was very surprised that the hills did not hurt more. Where they were steep, they were not steep for long. The dirt road section of uphill wasn't much fun.

This was by far my most enjoyable marathon. I started with PFit 2 years ago. This was my 5th marathon (including Portland 2 weeks ago). This one lacked the insanity and anonymity of Portland's 10,000 runners, and had a very personal touch. The support (food and drink tents) were the best I've ever seen. The course, although hilly, was spectacular. But mostly, I think this marathon was fun for me because I forgot myself while running. I wasn't thinking about time, or miles, or effort, or pain.

Congrats to all who ran the race, and if you're considering it in the future, it's a good one.

Eric

I thought about doing this one (since I'm one of the crazy people) but in the end, went to Seattle for the weekend to visit friends and took three days off. In a row. It's been about a year since the last time I did that.

I've always liked the little races. My favorite full and half marathons so far have had about 400-500 participants. It's much more personal, and you get to know the other people and the volunteers are incredible.

I saw a guy in one of the races I did this year you remembered me from one of the races I did two years ago. Of course I was memorable in that race because I was dead last through most of it and he was driving one of the pickups that were patrolling the course. He'd ask me how I was doing and if I needed anything, then pull over to the shoulder of the road and pick up the mile marker after I went past it. I think I ended up at 396 of 401 on that race. But I was first in my age group, because I was the only one in the AG.