Well organized, city run. Great race side music. Everything went smoothly from start to finish and plenty of porta-potties before and during the race. The course followed the bay and … MORE
Well organized, city run. Great race side music. Everything went smoothly from start to finish and plenty of porta-potties before and during the race. The course followed the bay and through some sweet neighborhoods. Had my first Lobster Roll from the truck afterwards and it was everything, HIGHLY recommend making that part of your race experience. Nice little beer garden near the finish where you can drink and cheer in the rest of the runners.
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Well organized, smooth road race.
Well organized, city run. Great race side music. Everything went smoothly from start to finish and plenty of porta-potties before and during the race. The course followed the bay and … MORE
Well organized, city run. Great race side music. Everything went smoothly from start to finish and plenty of porta-potties before and during the race. The course followed the bay and through some sweet neighborhoods. Had my first Lobster Roll from the truck afterwards and it was everything, HIGHLY recommend making that part of your race experience. Nice little beer garden near the finish where you can drink and cheer in the rest of the runners.
Beautiful Marathon
This was such a beautiful marathon. The neighborhoods we ran through were super nice. Not a ton of spectators but there were people cheering us on in the neighborhoods we … MORE
This was such a beautiful marathon. The neighborhoods we ran through were super nice. Not a ton of spectators but there were people cheering us on in the neighborhoods we ran through. I really liked this marathon.
A Good One
This was the 4th of my New England Half Marathons over the course of 5 weeks and it was my favorite. A very nice scenic course and very well organized. … MORE
This was the 4th of my New England Half Marathons over the course of 5 weeks and it was my favorite. A very nice scenic course and very well organized. My only complaint was the traffic backup and poor traffic control leading up to the designated parking garage. I was sure I gave myself enough time to make the race in plenty of time but it ended-up being a close call! The police were standing around talking with one another rather than directing and getting the traffic moving. Also got scammed by the parking garage company when I received a invoice in the mail for $55 two months after the race. Thankfully the Race Director stepped-in to resolve the issue.
Portland, Maine Marathon
expo was easy to find and open later than posted which was very helpful. appreciated all the great support from many different people, Scenery was very nice and many very … MORE
expo was easy to find and open later than posted which was very helpful. appreciated all the great support from many different people, Scenery was very nice and many very friendly runners participated. Good parking excellent organized race would recommend it for sure.
Lacking Support
Pros: Early start for a longer cut off, pretty course, free parking, pacers. Cons: While they offer a longer cut off time they don't treat the back of the pack … MORE
Pros: Early start for a longer cut off, pretty course, free parking, pacers.
Cons: While they offer a longer cut off time they don’t treat the back of the pack the same – when I finished there were still 50 people out there and some water stations were already being tore down, food trucks were gone, beer garden was tore down and food was largely picked over. Appreciate the longer finish window but not fair to people finishing later (as is allowed) to not the same experience.
Battled through injuries
Beautiful scenery and weather. Rolling hills were challenging but not a killer. The volunteers and spectators were awesome. I ran well below my goal but had an injured hamstring. Will … MORE
Beautiful scenery and weather. Rolling hills were challenging but not a killer. The volunteers and spectators were awesome. I ran well below my goal but had an injured hamstring. Will definitely be back.
Wonderful Race
The course is tough but not crazy, the scenery is beautiful, and the cheering squads are no joke. The race results can be printed out for you at the end … MORE
The course is tough but not crazy, the scenery is beautiful, and the cheering squads are no joke. The race results can be printed out for you at the end of the race. They had little cups of animal crackers, goldfish, peanut bagels, and way more. The food trucks were lined up waiting for you.
Very nice large race
This was a very nice large race, about 4,000 participants. Course had volunteers are every place you needed to turn, not only guiding you but providing encouragement. Scenery was awesome … MORE
This was a very nice large race, about 4,000 participants. Course had volunteers are every place you needed to turn, not only guiding you but providing encouragement. Scenery was awesome on the Maine coast.
Great Marathon with Rolling Hills
Packet Pick up is easy and good no of participation Race day parking is easy Start area is good with all water and other amenities Windy at start on lake … MORE
Packet Pick up is easy and good no of participation
Race day parking is easy
Start area is good with all water and other amenities
Windy at start on lake side.
Great Course with rolling hills. Lots of crowd first 6.5 miles where half marathon returns.
Maine is beautiful!
I found this race to be surprisingly good! I would recommend it to anyone. There is another one that I really wanted to do, that is more scenic, but I … MORE
I found this race to be surprisingly good! I would recommend it to anyone. There is another one that I really wanted to do, that is more scenic, but I thought I wouldn’t meet the qualifying time due to the hills. With a 7 hr cutoff, you have a generous time to finish. There are indoor bathrooms to use before the race and parking is close to the start/finish. The course is an out and back and it was fun to see all the runners coming at me but not fun when I made the turnaround and I was pretty much by myself because the slower ones were way behind me. There was also an early start so some of the slower runners may have been there. I opted to pass on the early start because there was a remote chance I would get an AG award and you couldn’t get one if you took the early start. My gamble paid off and I finished 3rd and there were more than 3 in my AG!. I loved the bagpipes at the start and there was a solo bagpiper later in the race. I loved the music at the race, not so much rock and roll but more rhythm instruments and drummers. Aid stations were well stocked but they did not have any gels. I didn’t miss that, I carry my own. The course is pretty, on the Atlantic oceanfront for some portions and in beautiful neighborhoods. There are rolling hills but nothing with steep ascent. There was some fall color and the temp was mid 50s throughout and lots of shade. It was a windy day but the trees provided shelter. I stayed at the Black Elephant hostel. It is amazing!!! It sells out early, I learned about it from another poster here. I don’t usually stay at hostels but after learning how expensive hotels are in Portland and seeing the review on this one, I gave it a try. It was fun chatting with other runners before the race at the hostel. I learned that I came in 3rd later that evening, after I had already left Portland and gone up to Acadia NP. They don’t mail their awards so I emailed the race director and was able to pick up my award on my way back to Boston. Something fun to do the day before the race is go visit Cape Elizabeth and have a lobster roll at Bite of Maine.
Totally Awesome
I chose this race for Maine mostly because it was in Portland on a Sunday so I could drive there without taking any vacation days. I drove to NH Friday … MORE
I chose this race for Maine mostly because it was in Portland on a Sunday so I could drive there without taking any vacation days. I drove to NH Friday night and did the NH half on Saturday and then this race on Sunday. I went to concert in Boston Saturday night so I stayed in a hotel on the NH coast halfway between Boston and Portland instead of staying in Portland. It is a just under 2 hour drive from Boston to Portland so if you are flying and want to fly into a bigger airport it is not a terrible drive. Since I was in NH and Boston Saturday I just got my packet the morning of the race. However race morning was a bit hectic so I’d recommend going to the expo Saturday if you can. There is a parking garage with free parking for runners. I definitely appreciated free parking and a pre-race email telling us exactly where to park. However I don’t think the garage was set up for as large a crowd at one time. I planned to arrive around 6:45 thinking that would give me an hour before the race and would have a relatively relaxing race morning but it took about 10 to 15 minutes from the time I got to the parking garage to the time I parked. Packet pick-up was at the race start about 1/3 mile from the parking garage. Packet pick-up was easy and included tote bag and a nice long sleeved tech shirt with the race logo. It was a nice teal color. However it took awhile to go to packet pick-up and then back to my car and then back to the race start so I ended up lining up with only 10 minutes to spare. Start was well-organized and there were pacers. I was planning to start with the 3 hour pace group to not go off too fast but they did appear to go too fast since I lost them early on and my first mile was exactly 3 hour pace so that would be one of my only complaints. Maybe they were planning to bank time for the hills. The first couple miles are flat with coastal views. Then it is rolling hills in a pretty suburban neighborhood. It is mostly an out and back. While I would call it a scenic course I was a little disappointed in the scenery only because I was so spoiled my last 3 races. I was hoping for more coastal views and running through the city but after the first couple miles it was mostly neighborhood views. It was a very pretty neighborhood and there was nice fall foliage but not as nice as NH and was similar to running in my neighborhood at home. I just wish the scenery was more unique to Maine. The race was great though. Very well marked with closed or coned off streets though a few random cars made it on course probably from the neighborhood. There were plenty of aid stations and tons of on course entertainment. I think there were as many musicians providing entertainment as I have seen in any race. There were a lot of spectators especially for a mid sized race in a smaller city. A lot more than I was expecting making this a great race atmosphere. As it is an out and back with a half and full marathon there were a ton of spectators and entertainment for back of the pack half marathoners finishing with the fast marathoners and also long time limit for the half so very walker friendly. I would definitely recommend this for back of the packers. The course is somewhat hilly though the least hilly of the 4 half marathons I did in the past 2 weekends. Like NH the elevation profile is in the runner’s favor with it being net uphill the first half and net downhill the second half. I knew this would be a slow race given I am not yet back to my normal speed and this was my 4th half marathon in 9 days. I was expecting to finish around 3:30 and was about 10 minutes faster than that. Finish line has a bunch of spectators and you get your medal which is very nice with the race logo. There are the typical postrace food like bagels and granola bars. There are also food trucks and runners get $3 off. I was so excited there was a food truck called the Totally Awesome Vegan Food truck so got a very delicious and filling meal before my long drive home. Overall this was a really great race. While the scenery is nice, I’m guessing there are more scenic Maine races closer to Acadia or more along the coast but there probably aren’t any with better race atmosphere and this is definitely the most convenient race for travel. Also makes a great double with NH. If I lived closer I would do this race again but it was too long a drive for me to do unless I had another reason to be in Maine the weekend of the race.
Top Notch
This race is phenomenal. Very well organized. Remarkably beautiful course. It was a touch hilly, and VERY windy. Not the easiest of races but beautiful. If you're doing all 50 … MORE
This race is phenomenal. Very well organized. Remarkably beautiful course. It was a touch hilly, and VERY windy. Not the easiest of races but beautiful. If you’re doing all 50 states I would recommend doing this one for Maine.
My race review
Beautiful views of the bay's, has a super cool medal. Had outstanding community support. Definitely would consider coming back another time MORE
Beautiful views of the bay’s, has a super cool medal. Had outstanding community support. Definitely would consider coming back another time
Well organized, awesome post race party
Well organized event. Small expo. Not the most scenic course. LOTS of hills. Awesome post-race party though with craft beers and food trucks. MORE
Well organized event. Small expo. Not the most scenic course. LOTS of hills. Awesome post-race party though with craft beers and food trucks.
Up and down the coast of Maine
I traveled from central Illinois to run this race. This is the only marathon in Maine that's accessible by public transportation. Everything else, you'd have to rent a car to … MORE
I traveled from central Illinois to run this race. This is the only marathon in Maine that’s accessible by public transportation. Everything else, you’d have to rent a car to get there.
If you’re a low-budget travel runner like me, fly to Boston-Logan airport first, then take a bus up to Portland ($25 or so each way). There is only one affordable place to stay within 5 miles of the start line, and that’s the Black Elephant Hostel, about 1.2 miles away. Everywhere else on the Portland peninsula is like $300/night for some reason. Since the Black Elephant was the only cheap place in town, there were 3 other marathoners also staying in my room!
If staying at the Black Elephant, book EARLY! Reserve a spot in June or July. They were sold out when I called on August 18th. Luckily, one bed opened up a few weeks later.
If you do have a car, there is tons of free parking at the Hannaford supermarket right next to the start line.
It was drizzling and ~55-60 F almost all race. You start and finish at the Back Cove park on the north side of Portland, and you run north for 6.5 miles if doing the half, 13 miles for the full. Running within a few hundred feet of the coast the whole time, with plenty of trees on either side of you. It was beautiful. Some minor hills, but nothing crazy. And for every uphill, there’s a downhill.
There was a minor sideways gradient on some of the road for a few miles around 7-10 and 15-18. Take this into account for your stride, so you don’t hurt your ankles/knee ligaments by running unevenly. But it’s not that steep. Just a small consideration.
Overall, I loved this course! You run past so many houses, and everyone comes out to cheer you on. Considering Maine is a small state, the crowd support here was awesome, and it feels soooo good to transition to gravel/dirt paths for the last mile into the Back Cove, which takes stress off your knees.
Gorgeous Views of Casco Bay
Great Half Marathon experience in Portland, Maine. Beautiful views of Casco Bay, even though it was overcast. If you're looking for a great Fall Marathon in the northeast, definitely check … MORE
Great Half Marathon experience in Portland, Maine. Beautiful views of Casco Bay, even though it was overcast. If you’re looking for a great Fall Marathon in the northeast, definitely check this one out.
Fun race
An out and back, felt downhill both ways (almost), great scenery and very well run race with lots of great volunteers. Very nice medal and shirts and great food at … MORE
An out and back, felt downhill both ways (almost), great scenery and very well run race with lots of great volunteers. Very nice medal and shirts and great food at the finish.
Nice course and location!
This is a very nice, pretty somewhat scenic course even if it is an out and back route. The race is fairly well organized with a few hiccups like the … MORE
This is a very nice, pretty somewhat scenic course even if it is an out and back route. The race is fairly well organized with a few hiccups like the line to get your shirt and bag on Saturday before noon was extremely long.
We got dropped off at the start and picked up afterwards which made it easier to navigate.
Overall if Maine is on your states to run a marathon I highly recommend this one. A few items:
– They had white tech shirts with a nice design, I hate white shirts because they get discolored quickly
– Awesome race hats you could buy!
– This was my 38th marathon and the first one where the official race photographers did not get a picture of me due to them moving around and running low on battery power on their cameras when I ran by. Not a big deal overall but kind of surprising considering this race has been run 27 times.
Fun half with my daughter
I helped pace my daughter at this race and enjoyed every minute of it. I live in the midwest, so I loved seeing the different scenery. The volunteers working the … MORE
I helped pace my daughter at this race and enjoyed every minute of it. I live in the midwest, so I loved seeing the different scenery. The volunteers working the water stops were great. There was one spot on the course which had some cars on it (I’m not certain they were suppose to be there) but for the most part the half course was car-free. There was one hill around the turnaround for the half. Other than that, the half course was pretty flat. The enjoyed the bag pipers they had at the start and later on the course. The expo was smaller than some I have been to but I enjoyed that runners got free products from local businesses. I certainly don’t think I’ll ever get a can of baked beans at another race. The residents along the course were encouraging too. All in all running the Maine Half was a fun experience.
Half and Full are Great!
If you are doing 50 states, if you want a great half PR course, and if you want to participate in a well-run, great event that supports its local community- … MORE
If you are doing 50 states, if you want a great half PR course, and if you want to participate in a well-run, great event that supports its local community- this is the race for you.
I have done both the half and the full marathon twice. The full and half share part of the same course (the half turns around at about the halfway point).
This race always has one of the biggest and best swag bags. Participants get a great tote bag full of samples and goodies, many from local Maine companies (what other race will give you a can of B&M baked beans). The race shirts are excellent. The medals are also gorgeous. Post-race food is plentiful- bananas, snack bars, chips, water, pizza. Parking is quite convenient with the nearby university garage.
The local community is excellent for this race as well. Residents come out and cheer from their houses/yards. The volunteers are excellent. You get the sense that the areas *wants* you there as an athlete versus other races where you feel like a traffic inconvenience.
In 2015 the race added pace group leaders, and had them again in 2016.
Advice- if you see a bathroom and you need it- use it. They are spaced out a little.
For those doing 50 states- if you want to do two races in one weekend, do the Bristol Half Marathon in New Hampshire the day before.