Run Like Hell Portland

Last year, more than 3,000 runners and walkers crossed the finish line in all three races at the Fall running of Portland's Run Like Hell Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Run Like Hell is a Halloween-themed race that sees participants dress out in full costume for a run through Portland’s urban parks and along its waterfront areas along the Willamette River. Now a running tradition in Portland, the race celebrates its 7th annual running in 2009.

From the starting line near downtown's Pioneer Square, the half marathon course takes runners through the Pearl District and includes scenic views of the changing autumn leaves as well as Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Duniway Park, Terwilliger Park and Mt. Hood in the distance.

After starting off with mostly flat terrain for the first five miles, the course then begins a three-mile gradual uphill that takes runners along Naito Parkway and Barbur Blvd.

The course again flattens out as it follows along the western edge of Portland's George Hines Park, taking runners along the winding Terwilliger Boulevard northward through the city. The course continues its wind along the edge of the parks, passing by Terwilliger Park and through Duniway Park, for the home stretch of the race, which is a slight downhill slope toward the finish line back near Pioneer Square. (this was adapted from an article on HalfMarathons.net)