Here at last is the Official 21 Mile Route. Many thanks to AC Eric Lewis for his tireless efforts and organization.

Start Times
Purple: 6:00 AM
Red: 6:30 AM
Yellow/Green/Blue: 7:00 AM

Due to popular demand, we are utilizing the marathon route for this benchmark. This requires heightened security, however. Please read Sharon's thread on security.

It is critical that you obey all traffic and pedestrian laws on this course.
It is critical that you obey Eric's directions on the route map.
There will be *some* course marshalls, but not at every turn.

Don't forget to have fun out there, but be careful!!!

Stay fit (and stay healthy),
John

Ok - I'm obsessive- I have to have more info. Cross streets etc. and I got as far as the Cross the Ross Island Bridge exit and than I have no streets. SW Hooker is a couple blocks away and I can't find SW Kelly.

I'm real nervous about this one and I have to know where I'm going.

Also, I would like to get an earlier start because I am really really slow, so when are the porta-potties available? The first station at 6 miles is going to be a real challange!

Thanks - Denise - first timer

Denise:

The "Cross Ross Island Bridge exit" is just that. You do not turn off of Naito Pkwy. You just keep going straight on Naito Pkwy until you reach SW Hooker St. At SW Hooker St there is another street that "Vears to the right". That street is SW Kelly Ave. There is a street sign a little further down SW Kelly Ave.

Just to ease your mind a little, I have scheduled a course marshal to be standing at that intersection to help people stay on the route.

The only PDXFit scheduled porta-pottie on the course is at mile 5.7. It should be there before 7 am. There were a few other porta-potties along the course last Sunday. There are real restrooms at mile 9.4 and then the usually ones along the waterfront. The smiley faces on the map indicate there is a restroom or porta-pottie somewhere in the vicinity. Sorry, but you will have to look for them if they are not obvious.

The best advice that I can give you is to relax and enjoy the benchmark. It is your last chance to complete a LSD (long, slow distance) run before the marathon. The benchmark should be completed within your aerobic heart rate range. It should feel very comfortable! When you get done, you should be able to feel like you could do it again.

Feel free to email me, or see me Saturday morning before you leave, if you have other questions, concerns, suggestions or comments about the route.

Remember: the 6 month training is the most important part of completing a marathon. The marathon is just the icing on the cake!

Eric

OK, I know this is pretty lame, but the only browser I have that can reach the forums cannot access any .pdf files on the net. So how can I get a map?
If it were an email attachment, no problem. Or if it were in the "Schedule" page, which the browser that
can access .pdfs can get to.

Yeah, I know it's lame...
Gene

Gene:

Check your inbox and let me know if you can NOT print the attachment.

Eric

Great job and great map. Thanks.

If anyone is interested in helping out at the 21 Mile Benchmark on Saturday, we could use your help! Since we are doing a good portion of the marathon route, there are some dicey spots where we would like to put course marshalls. These folks will help cross busy streets and oversee any safety concerns in that area.

If you are willing and able, please come to CNF at 7am and we'll point you in the right direction! If you want to send me an email at john@portlandfit.com to let me know you will be there, that would be much appreciated....

Thanks, Everyone!

-John


PS The map is now posted on our maps page.