Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon 10k & 5k

The half marathon course begins at Fields Park in Portland’s Pearl District. From there, the half marathon course heads south along Naito Parkway and the western portion of the Willamette River. The course leads runners to the eastern side of the river briefly, and early on, as runners cross the Morrison Bridge heading east followed by the Hawthorne Bridge in quick succession.

The half marathon course stays on the west side of the river for the remainder of the race. After returning to the western shore of the river, the course continues northward in the same direction that runners just came from, turning around for the first time near the mile five marker.

The middle portion of the course continues southward along the same route, this time skipping the bridges and tackling the only significant hill on the course just as the course reaches its southernmost point in Corbett-Terwilliger-Lair Hill (which was named after a person, not the hill on the half marathon course). Fortunately (or unfortunately), runners also coast back down the hill and retrace their steps once again toward the finish line at Fields Park.

Make sure to stay for the after-party — with a variety of vendors (including Mexican foods), free beer for runners from Laguinitas, and live music, the party lives up to the race organizers’ description as one of the coolest post-race parties ever.