Starting in Yaquina Bay State Park at the historic "haunted" lighthouse, runners will head north along the ocean through some of Newport's picturesque neighborhoods. This loop through the city is primarily residential with a few short gentle hills and turns at street corners. Heading back through the starting area, runners will proceed downhill under the Yaquina Bay Bridge to the bayfront. Past shops, restaurants, galleries and a large fishing village, the course continues along the bay. Just past mile four, there is a short hill that rises about 40 feet then gently descends back to bay level where it continues for the remainder of the race. The course follows the Yaquina Bay and River estuary to mile 15 where it turns back toward town, retracing the same route. The gentle hill at mile four reappears at mile 26, and it's downhill from there to the finish. Along the course runners will be treated to a splendid variety of views and scenery, wildlife and shipping, fishermen and crabbers. It is a flat, very fast, and beautiful course that will produce numerous PR's. Our course is USATF certified and has proven to be a very good "first marathon" as well as an excellent qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
The Newport Marathon (OR) was the 165th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 164th largest in 2022.
This year 14.2% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 16% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Newport Marathon (OR) the 87th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 91st highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.38 ranks it as the 122nd fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in Oregon.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are slightly above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Newport Marathon (OR) a PR Score of 99.22. This PR Score ranks it as the 114th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 4th fastest in Oregon.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Newport Marathon (OR) Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 118 feet (35m) Min Elevation: 8 feet (2m)
Have run this race 3 times and each time was a PR. Well organized, flat, and very fast. Love the views of the bay. Oregon coast in early June is cool so feel like I can train for this race and have a good shot at a PR. Course is well supported. Lots of porta potties at the beginning, fun finishers area with beer and big bowls of chowder. Expo is tiny, basically packet pick up.
Crowd support is limited since its mostly out and back on a two lane road. Spectators were fun and friendly. My favorite race of all my marathons.
Race Tips
First 4 miles are in neighborhoods with some turns, but once you get down to the bay its an out and back and very flat.
Recommend staying at the Embarcadaro. Race shuttle picks you up before race then you finish across the street from the Embarcadaro.
First 4 miles are in neighborhoods with some turns, but once you get down to the bay its an out and back and very flat.
Recommend staying at the Embarcadaro. Race shuttle picks you up before race then you finish across the street from the Embarcadaro.
Jeff's review of 2018 Newport Marathon (OR).
5 /
5 Stars
Review
This was my first marathon, so I was looking for something a bit lower-key than the big city events. The course was BEAUTIFUL, we lucked out with a gorgeous sunny day, and the people were fantastic. Correction to the listing, this race did have pacing groups (although not well organized at times).
Beautiful race with great support. The weather was near perfect, starting in low fifties, finishing around 58. Oregon coast is unique and wonderful, definitely worth the trip. Also, the course is fast.
Race Tips
Be aware that the last mile goes up about 65 feet, which can seem daunting after 25 miles.
Embarcadero Resort is a great place to stay and right at finish line.
Dion's review of 2017 Newport Marathon (OR).
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Extremely easy access to starting line porta-potties--the best of the 19 marathons I have run. I loved the scenic out-and-back course. I also enjoyed the town and the spaghetti dinner.
Race Tips
If I were to run this race again, I would ease off my pacing through the first four miles through town due to hills and turns. The rest of the course is relatively straight and flat. The incline during the last half-mile was not as drastic as I anticipated; it cost me about 12 seconds during my final full-mile split.
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