2026 Portland Marathon - Oct 4

2026 Portland Marathon - Oct 4 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Portland Marathon - Oct 4
CityPortland
Date2026-10-04 at 07:15
Field Size~3,009 runners
Time Limit6 hours 33 min
Cutoff pace9:19/km
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
Official SiteBrooksee
RegistrationRegister

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature14°C / 57°F
Humidity84%
Wind21.1 km/h
Rain Chance35%
Typical ConditionsCool, misty early-October Portland morning — classic damp Pacific Northwest autumn air

What to Prepare: Early October in Portland starts cool and often damp, around 46°F / 7°C at the 7:15 a.m. start, warming into the mid-60s°F / 18°C by midday. Expect grey mist over the Willamette and a real chance of light rain — pack a throwaway layer and a brimmed cap, and don't be fooled by the cool start into overdressing.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 21.1 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

Cooler Typical Warmer
Temperature 11.5°C 14°C 16.6°C
Dew point 6.5°C 11.5°C 15.1°C
Wet-day chance: 35% Runnability: 72/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course TypeCity point-to-point loop
Elevation Gain266m
TerrainRoad (flat downtown streets with a handful of short bridge-ramp grades)
ProfileA flat-to-rolling tour of Portland that doubles as a genuine PR and Boston-qualifying course. The start and finish sit at Waterfront Park on the banks of the Willamette River, just 36 feet above sea level, with a maximum course elevation of only about 178 feet — so the net climbing is modest despite a few short bridge ramps. The signature feature is four Willamette River bridge crossings (including the Broadway and Hawthorne bridges), linking downtown, the Pearl District, the Rose Quarter, NW 23rd Avenue and the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood. On a clear autumn morning Mt. Hood's snow-capped cone is visible to the east. The route is USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier; the bridge ramps are the only real terrain, so even-paced runners can chase a PR here.
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Portland Marathon - Oct 4

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Featured In

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Portland Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 Portland Marathon is on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The half marathon starts at 7:00 a.m. PT, and the full marathon and 10K start together at 7:15 a.m. PT from Waterfront Park on SW Naito Parkway in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Is the Portland Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes. The full marathon is USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier. The course is flat to gently rolling — the start and finish sit only 36 feet above sea level and the highest point is about 178 feet — so apart from a few short bridge ramps it is a fair, fast course for a BQ attempt. Check your target with our Boston qualifying calculator.

How hard is the Portland Marathon course?

It is one of the easier big-city marathon courses. Net elevation change is small because the route hugs the Willamette River valley, and the only real climbs are the short ramps onto and off of the four bridge crossings. The terrain is all paved road through downtown and Portland neighborhoods, making it well suited to even-paced PR efforts rather than a hilly grind.

What is the time limit for the Portland Marathon?

The course time limit for the full marathon is 6 hours and 33 minutes, based on a 15:00-per-mile pace (a brisk walk to light jog). Runners who fall behind that pace may be moved to sidewalks or picked up by sweep vehicles, so plan your pacing with our marathon pace calculator before race day.

Which bridges does the Portland Marathon cross?

The marathon features four Willamette River bridge crossings, including the Broadway and Hawthorne bridges, plus a tour of downtown, the Pearl District, the Rose Quarter, NW 23rd Avenue and the Sellwood-Moreland neighborhood. The bridge spans are the most scenic part of the course, with river and skyline views and, on clear mornings, Mt. Hood on the horizon.

What is the weather like for the Portland Marathon?

Early October in Portland is cool and often damp. Expect a start around 46°F / 7°C warming to the mid-60s°F / about 18°C by midday, with grey Pacific Northwest mist over the river and a real chance of light rain. It is good racing weather if you dress for the cool, wet start with a throwaway layer.

How do I register for the 2026 Portland Marathon?

Registration is online at the official site, portlandmarathon.com/register. The 2025 race sold out, so entering early is wise. Entry fees for the full marathon are tiered (roughly $139–$169 depending on how early you sign up), and the event also offers a half marathon, a 10K and a kids run.

Where can I find Portland Marathon results?

Official results are posted at portlandmarathon.com/results after the race, with live tracking provided by the organizer, Brooksee. The 2025 full marathon drew about 3,009 finishers as part of a roughly 11,800-runner weekend across all distances.

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