This race was on my to-do list. Not quite rising to bucket list level, but I def wanted to do this one, and I was up in NE for some … MORE
This race was on my to-do list. Not quite rising to bucket list level, but I def wanted to do this one, and I was up in NE for some other races and planned to be in Portland for this race. It did not disappoint. The course is pretty, it’s rolling but not too hard, and the scenery is just very nice. The one part of the course that I did not like was around the lake, which seems to have had a new sidewalk under construction, or something like that. There was a lot of clogging on this part of the course, which was probably in mile 2 or so, if memory serves. So the pack was not yet spread out. If they’d reconfigure the course so this was in mile 8 or 10, then it wouldn’t have been an issue, but anyone trying to have consistent splits, or do a PR on this course, would need to start in the front of the pack or would need to start well after everyone else starts. But hopefully this construction will be finished by 2023’s race.
The packet pickup, port-a-potties, post-race food, finish line, etc., everything was just superbly done. I’ve done probably 80+ races and this in easily in the top 10. Highly recommend, especially if you can stay downtown and explore a bit, and then walk to the start line in the morning. Hotels are expensive in this part of town, but it’s worth a weekend away, and bring the spouse! 🙂
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Great urban course
This race was on my to-do list. Not quite rising to bucket list level, but I def wanted to do this one, and I was up in NE for some … MORE
This race was on my to-do list. Not quite rising to bucket list level, but I def wanted to do this one, and I was up in NE for some other races and planned to be in Portland for this race. It did not disappoint. The course is pretty, it’s rolling but not too hard, and the scenery is just very nice. The one part of the course that I did not like was around the lake, which seems to have had a new sidewalk under construction, or something like that. There was a lot of clogging on this part of the course, which was probably in mile 2 or so, if memory serves. So the pack was not yet spread out. If they’d reconfigure the course so this was in mile 8 or 10, then it wouldn’t have been an issue, but anyone trying to have consistent splits, or do a PR on this course, would need to start in the front of the pack or would need to start well after everyone else starts. But hopefully this construction will be finished by 2023’s race.
The packet pickup, port-a-potties, post-race food, finish line, etc., everything was just superbly done. I’ve done probably 80+ races and this in easily in the top 10. Highly recommend, especially if you can stay downtown and explore a bit, and then walk to the start line in the morning. Hotels are expensive in this part of town, but it’s worth a weekend away, and bring the spouse! 🙂
Challenging course sneaks up on you
Starts in downtown Portland, and then after a mile or so there's a steep uphill (very helpful if you start out too fast, like I usually do) leading to some … MORE
Starts in downtown Portland, and then after a mile or so there’s a steep uphill (very helpful if you start out too fast, like I usually do) leading to some great views over the city. Lovely loop out around casco bay, passing a water treatment plant about 6 miles in, which is not so lovely for a stretch, and then back to the city. Beware, though, the last 5K is straight uphill again in the Old Town of Portland, so you better leave some gas in the tank if you’re trying for a PR. Great party afterwards, OK medal.
Great Maine run
Great well organized race and packet pick was easy. This race does not have an expo just a packet pick up the day before. The packet pick up did have … MORE
Great well organized race and packet pick was easy. This race does not have an expo just a packet pick up the day before. The packet pick up did have a few other items for sale (two shirts, a sweater, and glassware) relating to the race.
Race is in the downtown area so parking garage charge an hourly rate but there is free street parking around the area.
Course does a nice job taking you around the Portland area with lots of ocean views. After running a lot of big races, this race had a small town feel. this race has a big race production with a small town charm.
Mostly flat course with two hills at mile one and mile 10. Mile 10 hill definitely hits you, especially being next to a cemetery.
Beer garden by Shipyard brewing company with two complementary beers and plenty of water with snacks.
Maine Run - Checked off the List
We planned a vacation to Acadia National Park so of course I had to find a run in Maine. Shipyard Old Port fit the schedule and was a good choice. … MORE
We planned a vacation to Acadia National Park so of course I had to find a run in Maine. Shipyard Old Port fit the schedule and was a good choice. Packet pickup was quick and easy, but we were there right as it opened. No expo just pickup your bib and race shirt. You do have to pay to park. Not sure if free parking was available but right next to the center it was $2.00.
Race day, once again you have to pay to park and it was a bit more than I expected. Pre race there were plenty of restrooms available. There were two distances, half and 5k. Half starts first. Think there were 1700ish finishers in the half this year. Course had water & Gatorade every two miles. Course was mostly flat but there is a nice hill in the first mile and then a few more around miles 9 – 12. I wouldn’t call the course challenging but those later hills can zap you a bit. The scenery was mostly good. You ran in or next to parks, by the shipyard on roads or park trails. Miles 2 – 6 are on a crushed gravel/dirt trail around a cove. Nice but you will probably pickup a few pebbles that will ride along in your shoe until you cross the finish line. After you leave the cove you get the pleasure of running by a wastewater treatment plant for about a quarter mile. At mile 7 the 5k joins the route for about a mile it seemed. So you will be weaving around people walking (unless you are fast and might miss them) and dodging people moving in front of you. Finish line was well staffed. Medal was the same for 5k amid half finishers but the ribbon said half or 5k. Post race, if of age you get two beers. There was water available and pre-packaged snacks. I didn’t see any other drink options for us non alcohol drinkers but water. I didn’t spend much time post race. Just to recover and get a couple snacks. Overall a good event. Not my best effort but right in my range. I think too much hiking at Acadia had my legs tired. Improvements? Maybe where the 5k and half course join for that mile or however long, put up a divider so the half runners have a clear path. Same for the finish line as I heard some of the faster half runners we’re doing the same weaving around 5k walkers as they went in the finish line chute. But that is minor and it is great to be out running with everyone.
Really Well-Run Race
There are two things that make this course a bit more challenging than others: (1) miles 3-6 are on the packed gravel on Back Cove, which might slow you down … MORE
There are two things that make this course a bit more challenging than others: (1) miles 3-6 are on the packed gravel on Back Cove, which might slow you down by a few seconds and (2) mile 11 is a tough 150-foot climb to the highest point in the race.
Hats off to the race coordinator, though. This was a fairly small race (~1500 in the half marathon), but volunteers were at every single turn making sure that runners knew where to go. Even though I was largely alone for the later portions of the race, I never felt like I was unsure of where to go.
The finish line had a great after-party, and the vest was a nice bit of swag that came with the race entry. The only (very small) complaint was that the packet pickup the day before the race was not anywhere near the start line. (However, I could have picked up my packet before the race, so again, that’s a small complaint.)
Overall, a well-run race in a beautiful city.
Beautiful Course but Beware
A couple things about this course that I wish I had known going into this race and I suspect other runners would appreciate knowing before they sign up. First, I … MORE
A couple things about this course that I wish I had known going into this race and I suspect other runners would appreciate knowing before they sign up.
First, I was surprised how much of the course is on dirt trail. I don’t remember the exact distance on that but it felt like every bit of 4-6 miles. It’s not technical but you do need to watch out for your footing in some areas.
Secondly, there are a LOT of very sharp switchbacks and steep downhill. Some of the switchbacks were almost 90 degree turns coming off of a monster downhill. I had a great race season and was healthy going into this race. After this run I’m nursing a number of injuries that I can only tie to how the course was built. Trying to downshift and adjust on a dime like that multiple times is a problem.
So, if you’re truly racing I would stay away from this race. If you’re looking for a good time and don’t mind having to adjust your pace and stride multiple times over, and you like dirt trail, have at it.
Cobblestones slow you down
This is an amazing race, super well put on. I was contacted to pace 2:20 finish a few days before race day due to a last minute change, which I … MORE
This is an amazing race, super well put on.
I was contacted to pace 2:20 finish a few days before race day due to a last minute change, which I gladly accepted. I had never run the course before but checked out the reviews on RaceRaves to see what the course was like so I knew how I should be going out.
Arrived, picked up my race gear, and made my way to the start line all within 10 minutes because everything is so close together. The first couple of miles starts out pretty packed because you have thousands of people running this race, but it spreads out around mile 2.5 when you are done with all of the turns in Portland. You are crossing along the edge of the city then make your way around it so you get a nice ocean view for most of the race…though this could be detrimental if it were windy out.
The last .25 of the course is on cobblestone, so you have to slow way down and watch your footing so you don’t twist your ankle.
I’ve done a few other races with the same announcer and he gets better each and every time.
Overall great race!
This race was such a great run! I personally felt great the entire time on this mostly flat race. Only a few small hills to be concerned with and the … MORE
This race was such a great run! I personally felt great the entire time on this mostly flat race. Only a few small hills to be concerned with and the very last 0.2-ish miles are cobblestone which will test your ankle strength. Great race production overall.
Nice course, expo not so hot
This was my 50th state (66th half) so I have a lot to compare it too. The expo left a lot to be desired, we got there right before 2 … MORE
This was my 50th state (66th half) so I have a lot to compare it too. The expo left a lot to be desired, we got there right before 2 when it opened and thank goodness since they only had 4 or 5 people working the table and they were assigning numbers as you came up which added a lot of time. You needed to show an ID to get a beer bracelet which was also confusing making people stand in line that weren’t even old enough to drink. By 4P the line was down the stairs, out the door and curving up the block. There was no expo to speak of with only one retailer and some freebies for locals. The tank instead of a shirt was nice and high quality. The start line was easy to get to but was self seeding which of course is a nightmare since people aren’t honest and put themselves where they really shouldn’t be. The first mile was crushingly slow due to massive crowd and inability to spread out. There were a few hard hills but very, very short, no climbs. Overall, was generally flat. On the back bay you are running on crushed gravel which was nice but it had been raining for 2 days so there was a lot of jumping of puddles. At the end, there was a brutal uphill that dumped you onto a cobblestone street for the last 0.2 miles which sucked because you cannot sprint on cobblestone without breaking your neck. The medal was nice, you get 2 beers, a pizza slice and an ice cream. Water stations were plentiful and they had wet towels after mile 9 I think at about every mile which were appreciated. We got lucky on the weather, there was a wind that kept the humidity at bay and it was slightly overcast which was also nice.
Worth doing
Nice tank top. Nothing else for swag. Nothing at the expo except for one small store with two bookshelves of shoes, two cloths racks, some socks, and fuel. There are … MORE
Nice tank top. Nothing else for swag. Nothing at the expo except for one small store with two bookshelves of shoes, two cloths racks, some socks, and fuel. There are a couple of 3.5% grade hills.the down hills make up for it though. At one point the 5k meets up with the half. Not thrilled about a sudden big crowd to navigate through. The medal is ok. Never sure why the 5k and half shirts and medals are the same. There is a price difference, I think the shirts and/or metals should be race specific. The worst thing is some rough cobblestone you have to run on near the finish line.
Great 5k!
After 4 years of running the half, I really enjoyed this 5k. It started uphill for about the first mile, but the downhills for the following miles were worth it! … MORE
After 4 years of running the half, I really enjoyed this 5k. It started uphill for about the first mile, but the downhills for the following miles were worth it!
Some unique things about this race:
-It began 15 minutes after the half, so we lined up perpendicular to the half runners and got to watch them begin.
-The 5k merged with the half around mile 2, and then turned off into a side street for the finish.
The post race party was, as always, fantastic! This year it seemed a little less well-run. There were tremendously long lines for post race snacks, pizza and beer. The band was amazing and had so many runners dancing!
The shirts have been hit or miss over the years, but this year’s tank top was great. Definitely continue to recommend this race!
Repeat race - always worth it!
This was my first half marathon ever, and I keep coming back. I love racing in Portland, ME, and this race stands out to me for the stellar communication, promotion, … MORE
This was my first half marathon ever, and I keep coming back. I love racing in Portland, ME, and this race stands out to me for the stellar communication, promotion, small expo, and atmosphere. I certainly have never run my fastest half marathon, as the hills near the beginning and then in the middle and end can be challenging.
The atmosphere is wonderful – the DJ/emcee is lively and upbeat, and it is hard not to get excited before the race even starts. One nice touch is that they usually offer cold towels around mile 11 – very needed on a hot day!
The coolest part about this race is that you run along the water for so long. A running tour of Portland ME is incredible. From viewing the ocean to exploring neighborhoods… all the way to running alongside the highway for a little bit, you barely get bored.
The after race party makes it an all-around festive event. I love staying for the beer, music, and general atmosphere.
This year, they changed the course from beginning on the pier to beginning/ending in the heart of the city. I found this a little disappointing, because starting on the pier was pretty cool. The finish felt impractical, because the final stretch was across very bumpy cobblestones that prevented me from finishing as strong as I would have liked.
Aside from the slight course change, I would highly recommend this well-organized and planned out race!
Kudos all around...
Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit. It has a great personality to it. The event was very fun. They changed the course this year to put hill portion … MORE
Portland, Maine is a nice place to visit. It has a great personality to it. The event was very fun. They changed the course this year to put hill portion immediately at the beginning which wasn’t too bad. Plus, we had a light sprinkle of rain during the first portion that helped keep the body from heating up too much at the beginning. There is one more hill between Mile 11 & 12, I believe, but it was bearable. The course, overall, was beautiful. About 100-200 feet of cobblestone just before the finish was a little treacherous, but added a nice quaint feeling.
The event was well organized. We arrived late the evening before and did the packet pick up the morning of. It was a quick in & out. The finish line DJ/announcer was very cool; added a good personality to the finish. The after party was awesome – two free beers, free slice of pizza, free ice cream. Great post-race atmosphere.
The medal was very cool. Looks much better in person, than in the pictures.
I recommend getting a room at the Hyatt Place, because you literally walk out the door and you’re at the start line & only a small block or two from the finish line. The hotel also provided some fruit, snacks, & water as you head out. There are probably some other good hotels within the area as well, but this was super convenient.
If you fly into Portland, you don’t need to rent a car. Uber/cab is less than $20 and everything you need is within a half mile radius.
state #18, Personal Record ;-)
Great scenery, plenty of water stops and the weather was great. It sprinkled a couple times, but, actually was felt good. I felt great the whole time, well except for … MORE
Great scenery, plenty of water stops and the weather was great. It sprinkled a couple times, but, actually was felt good. I felt great the whole time, well except for the never ending incline between 11-12 miles. The cobblestone towards the end was interesting, but just need to pay close attention to your footing. I wasn’t a fan of the race tank, but, the medal is very nice. Two beers pizza and ice-cream were the highlights of the many snacks and refreshments at the finish. I would recommend this half marathon.
Last thing, stay at the Hyatt place Portland old port, start and finish are literally out the front door.
Wicked Fun!
Great course; especially running on a dirt path around a lake for a few miles. There's a pretty steep incline between 11 - 12 that threw me (and my time) … MORE
Great course; especially running on a dirt path around a lake for a few miles. There’s a pretty steep incline between 11 – 12 that threw me (and my time) and the last .10 has some old cobblestones to navigate, but other than that a wonderful course! My biggest complaint would be the wait to get some food after the race. The line was long and moved so slowly. Great scenery and wonderful weather!
Best half in New England!
One of the best races I’ve participated it. Majestic views of the Casco Bay and Back Cove. Weather was cool sub-60 at the start with a few bouts of rain. … MORE
One of the best races I’ve participated it. Majestic views of the Casco Bay and Back Cove. Weather was cool sub-60 at the start with a few bouts of rain.
Course itself was half road and half cinder trail (around Back Cove). Stay on the inside around the cove… I hit a root on the outside and ended up pulling a muscle trying to maintain balance. Watch out as there is about a 0.1km stretch of cobblestone before the finish… slow down to avoid an ankle injury.
This race is extremely well organized… everyone was excited that the start & finish wash relocated to the old port this year. After crossing the finish line you had 2 beer garden options… one with a live band! 2 free beers, pizza and ice cream topped the post race food offerings along with fruit, kind bars and maple water.
Swag included a tech tank (ran large) and a stained glass medal.
Highly recommended race!!!
Run the best of Portland!
This is a great race that runs right through the heart of Portland. Gorgeous scenery throughout, getting to both west and east ends of the city. There was plenty of … MORE
This is a great race that runs right through the heart of Portland. Gorgeous scenery throughout, getting to both west and east ends of the city. There was plenty of crowd and organizer support, but it would have been nice to see a few more community touches get involved with entertainment along the way. Nice post-race party and simple packet pickup process. Nice race!
Beautiful scenery but long steep hills
Race has a beautiful location! Most of the course has water on one side of you. Hills are a bit tough as you go up and then turn to keep … MORE
Race has a beautiful location! Most of the course has water on one side of you. Hills are a bit tough as you go up and then turn to keep going up!
Race swag is non existent. Shirt might be the ugliest one I have (you have to pay extra for a shirt).
Packet pick up was quick and smooth.
Minimal locations for cheering squads.
Great after race fair-food trucks, beer, etc all on the water!
Little bit of rain this year
This is a great course and a fun run. Even though it was not hot this year, as it has been the past two, the hills, a little rain, wind … MORE
This is a great course and a fun run. Even though it was not hot this year, as it has been the past two, the hills, a little rain, wind and humidity made it surprisingly difficult. The wind was from the North and close to half the race was headed into it. It helped with the high humidity, but did slow one’s time I feel. Great finish festival and truly a destination race.
Hot, but scenic!
Took a long weekend from NYC to run this race. Portland is a great town with lots of good eats and beautiful scenery. We picked up our bibs the morning … MORE
Took a long weekend from NYC to run this race. Portland is a great town with lots of good eats and beautiful scenery.
We picked up our bibs the morning of which wasn’t a hassle at all. The start consisted of two waves, but beyond that, there wasn’t much of a corral system so I was hard to know where you were lining yourself up at.
The course weaves through Portland, passing some beautiful neighborhoods and looping back down Portland’s main street before heading around a lake (partially on dirt trail here) and back to the start. There is minimal shade in some parts, but aid stations were plentiful.
After the finish, Shipyard hosted a nice post-race beer garden where runners could get two beers. There was also free pizza and several Portland food trucks came out with food for purchase and samples. There was even a portable shower truck where, for a couple bucks, you could take a nice shower and have a clean towel. I actually used this, since we had plans to walk around Portland the rest of the day, and was instantly refreshed!
Swag is just so-so… There isn’t any apart from the medal. The medal is nice, but if you’re expecting a shirt or anything more, you have to buy it.