PORTLAND, Ore. — It was a beautiful day for running on Sunday morning as thousands ran through the streets of Portland for the 52nd annual Portland Marathon.
The winners of the Portland Marathon included a nephew visiting his uncle and a local runner trying to beat her time. Runners from across the world took off along Portland's Waterfront and made their way through the city.
"To see this event return to the prestige that it has and the popularity of it in the community, we could not be happier with where it's at right now," said Darrell Phippen event organizer and head of events at Brooksee.
Runners from Portland and across the world made their way through 20 neighborhoods of the city along both sides of the river.
The Portland Marathon includes a 26.2-mile-long course, a half-marathon route and a 10K route. All races start and finish at Portland's Waterfront Park, at 1000 Southwest Naito Parkway, at the intersection of Naito Parkway and Salmon Street.
Runner Archibald Casteel from Sweden visiting his uncle in Salem finished in first place, " It was just so fun to be here. What a course. I'm just so amazed by Portland and how they organized it."
Casteel's goal was to set the course record — which he did not achieve.
"My goal for this race was to set the course record, unfortunately I did not really manage that but it was close," said Casteel. "At least in the first half I held the pace for it, but then I started to feel really bad, so I'm just really glad I finished up."
Rachel Peters from Canby, Oregon finished first women's taking the top spot.
"I was honestly just aiming for time. I ran it last year and got 2:56, so my goal this year was sub 2:50. I actually wrote 2:48 on my wrist, so that was my goal," said Peters.
Peters also expressed excitement in seeing different parts of Portland with the running course this year.
"I love the Reed College area. Out and back section is just really pretty," said Peters.
This was also the fifth year Brooksee has organized the race after taking it over from the city in 2019. And it's the largest turnout for a Portland Marathon ever with nine thousand runners.
"It truly has become a community event again and that was our ultimate goal," said Phippen, event organizer.