Course Map
Route based on 2025 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Detroit Free Press Marathon is a true international race, the only U.S. marathon that crosses into Canada and back, climbing the Ambassador Bridge into Windsor before returning through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and its famous underwater mile. The course is largely flat aside from the bridge crossing, running along the riverfront on both sides of the border. Held in October, it offers cool autumn conditions and the novelty of needing identification to cross frontiers mid-race. The flat terrain rewards steady effort once the bridge climb is behind you. It suits runners who want a quirky, border-spanning experience and a reasonably fast course in a cool-weather window.
Course Insight
Portland is a largely flat October marathon along the Willamette, with one notable bridge climb to break the rhythm and the chance of Pacific Northwest rain. Pace the bridge by effort and otherwise settle into an even cadence. Cool, damp conditions are common and actually favour racing. The river setting is scenic and calm. Run the early miles with discipline and the flat stretches reward a measured pace.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (290m), tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 290m
- Elevation loss
- 294m
- Highest point
- 55m
- Lowest point
- 10m
- Net drop
- -4m
- Start
- Tom McCall Waterfront Park
- Cutoff time
- 6h 33m
Race History
The Portland Marathon was first held in 1972, growing into a fairly flat, often drizzly tour of the Oregon city with a single bridge climb. After organizational changes in the late 2010s it continued under new management. Its scenic Pacific Northwest character endured across the decades. Held in autumn, it draws a field to the green, river-threaded city.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Portland International (PDX)
- Best area to stay
- The Pearl District for proximity to the route and trendy stays, the downtown waterfront for central options, and the Hawthorne area for hip, value digs.
- Getting to the start
- The start is downtown by Waterfront Park; take the MAX light rail or walk from downtown hotels to the start.