(1-14-10) From Press Release - The Portland Marathon Half, a 13.1-mile run and walk created by the Portland Marathon, was offered to the public this month and is already nearly sold out. The new event will be part of the 39th annual Portland Marathon, which will be held on October 10, 2010.
Event organizers believe the half marathon will add $3 million of economic impact to the local area. The overall event is estimated to have a $26 million economic impact on the Portland Metro area and has been the "largest convention-like event" in Portland the last four years.
Limited to 3,000 entries, the Portland Marathon Half will feature all the entertainment and amenities of the full 26.2-mile marathon, which drew over 9,700 runners and walkers in 2009. Currently, participants for the half event are 76% women from 36 states and 7 foreign countries.
Registration for the half was first offered to former Portland Marathon finishers and other special running and walking groups. Registration opened to the general public on January 10 and will continue until January 31, unless the event fills earlier. Special entries are also reserved for charities and the military. Those interested in registering can go to www.portlandmarathon.org and can use promotional code PMHALF254 for a discount through January 21.
The Portland Marathon committee is excited to add another event to its roster. Chris Hardman Course Coordinator said, "The Portland Marathon Half will be a fun event with a fast course and all the well known features of our Portland Marathon."
The Portland Marathon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and an Oregon non-profit corporation. Each year nearly $200,000 is donated by the Portland Marathon to over 100 local non-profits, school groups, sport teams, and other charities. With the help of the event, charities also raise about $2 million. The Portland Marathon events, which include a marathon, a half marathon, a five-miler, a 10K walk, and kids' fun run, are produced each year by a committee and over 4,500 volunteers.
The Portland Marathon, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the health and wellness of its participants and community. More than 12,000 people run, walk, or volunteer with the event each year. Proceeds from event go to help local schools, charities, and non-profits. The event has been called the "best-organized marathon in North America" and has received national attention for being one of the first eco-friendly, "green" marathons. For more information, visit www.portlandmarathon.org, call (503) 226-1111, or e-mail info@portlandmarathon.org. The Portland Marathon is also available through Facebook and Twitter (@pdxmarathon).
