This Portland Marathon race recap is by Jackie Ayers, one of our brand ambassadors. Jackie lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and two young sons.
“You run better than the government!” was a sign I saw multiple times along the Portland Marathon race course on Sunday, October 1. It made this Federal government employee laugh every.single.time.
Heading into my taper for my first marathon, I dealt with a sinus infection and a potential government shutdown. Both sapped my energy in different ways and left me less physically and mentally prepared than I had hoped for lining up at the start line at 7 a.m. The sun wasn’t yet up in the Pacific Northwest sky, yet the day was forecast to be stunning.
Generally, I don’t have much time to train—life, ya know? Summer is also a super-demanding time for my job, which means any fall race will never be 100% on point. Running is my personal time in an overly packed life, so I sign up for the races knowing the journey is the destination.
Spoiler alert: This busy BAMR crushed it!
I did the Portland Half Marathon last year and had a blast; I wanted to do my first marathon in the same well-organized, supportive environment. Portland delivered again! The course itself weaves through many beautiful historic neighborhoods with lots of spectators cheering on the participants. Two standout items for me about the Portland Marathon are the race app and the aid station support.
The app breaks into whatever you’re listening to with snippets of information on the neighborhoods you’re running through, when aid stations are coming up, and your pace. The coolest thing, however, is it allows tracking of the runner by friends and family, who can then send the runner messages. The app converts the texts to speech and plays the words in your headphones. (!!) I was lucky enough to have a ton of virtual supporters, and those messages made a world of difference for me. One good friend texted, “I’m living through you while I lie in bed lazily and stare at my phone. Get it!’ Her message made me laugh—and ignore a mini-cramp in my left glute for another half mile.
I am always blown away by the tireless dedication of aid station volunteers. I’m a back-half-of-the-pack runner, and as the runners thinned out after Mile 17 or so, the aid station folks would look at my bib as I grabbed water and say things like “WAY TO GO, JACKIE, you’ve got this!!” That personalized touch made me almost cry several times. This wasn’t at just one aid station—folks at quite a few did it, for which I’m immensely grateful.
Jackie crossing the finish line with a smile
No matter what happens in a race, I always sprint across the finish line. Portland was no different: I ignored my achy body and sprinted for the last quarter-mile. As I got my medal, I cried a bit, then I spotted my husband and two kids hanging over the crowd barrier. I staggered over to them, gave them huge sweaty hugs, saying I was never ever doing a marathon again.
As I write this report three days post-race, I’m now wondering: Which marathon should I sign up for next?
Inspired to experience the Portland Marathon for yourself? Save big and use code AMR15 to receive $15 off your registration for the 2024 Portland Marathon presented by OHSU Health! Hurry: This offer expires on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
[…] Ayers, an Another Mother Runner brand ambassador who is gearing up to run the Portland Marathon again. Jackie, a night owl, lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and two young […]