The Great Pumpkin Run (formerly the beloved Run Like Hell) takes place at and around Oaks Park, Portland’s historic amusement park on the east bank of the Willamette River. The half marathon, 10K, and 5K routes wind through the riverside park and adjacent neighborhoods, with live music bands at multiple points creating what organizers call a ‘musical mile.’ The autumn scenery is gorgeous, and the Halloween costume parade of runners turns the entire course into a moving spectacle.<\/p>\n
Organized by Negative Split, Portland’s premier local race production company, The Great Pumpkin Run is held on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The half marathon starts at 9:00 a.m., followed by the 10K at 9:30 a.m., and the 5K at 9:45 a.m. A Kids Fun Run is free for the first 25 children. Aid stations are positioned every two miles, roaming bike medics patrol the course, and pacers help runners hit their goals.<\/p>\n
This race’s costume contest is legendary in Portland running circles \u2014 participants pull out all the stops in elaborate Halloween costumes, group themes, and creative interpretations of running-meets-scary. The musical mile atmosphere, with bands playing on every corner, makes this one of the most entertaining mid-race experiences in the Pacific Northwest. Families with kids love the free Kids Fun Run option, making it a true Halloween weekend tradition.<\/p>\n
Costumes are encouraged and rewarded with prizes \u2014 go all out. The race starts at Oaks Park, accessible by car and Portland’s MAX light rail. Register well in advance; spots for the half marathon fill quickly. After the race, Oaks Park’s roller skating rink and rides are open for an extended Halloween celebration.<\/p>\n
Put on your costume and run \u2014 register at 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04:03:14","url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/?tribe_events=race-for-the-roses-portland","rest_url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/38844","title":"Race for the Roses","description":" The Rip City Race for the Roses weaves through the heart of Portland starting from Rose Quarter Commons, the plaza between Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Moda Center. The course showcases Portland’s vibrant downtown neighborhoods and riverside paths, with the start and finish framed by the iconic Rose Festival atmosphere. All distances begin between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., with early finishers crossing the line just after 8:00 a.m.<\/p>\n Organized in partnership with the Royal Rosarians \u2014 Portland’s official ambassadors of goodwill \u2014 this race is a centerpiece of the Portland Rose Festival, one of the oldest civic festivals in America. Participants in the half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1K Kids Dash receive a finisher medal, a rose (handed out by the Rosarians in their signature white suits), and for adults, a post-race mimosa. Revenue from the event benefits Albertina Kerr, a local non-profit supporting people with developmental disabilities.<\/p>\n Few races combine civic pride, history, and running as elegantly as Race for the Roses. The presence of the Royal Rosarians in their formal whites, handing each finisher a long-stem rose while Portland blooms around them, creates an unforgettable finish-line moment. The Rose Festival setting, mimosas, and the family-friendly Kids Dash make it a perfect spring day out for running households across the Portland metro.<\/p>\n Keep an eye on the Royal Rosarians website and the Portland Rose Festival calendar for the confirmed 2027 date, typically in late April. The Rose Quarter Commons provides a central location with easy MAX light rail access from throughout the metro area. Arrive early \u2014 parking in the Rose Quarter is limited on event days.<\/p>\n Join Portland’s most rose-scented race \u2014 check registration at Royal Rosarians<\/a>.<\/p>","excerpt":"","slug":"race-for-the-roses-portland","image":{"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses.png","id":38842,"extension":"png","width":1672,"height":941,"filesize":2643267,"sizes":{"medium":{"width":300,"height":169,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":98310,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-300x169.png"},"large":{"width":1024,"height":576,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":978707,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-1024x576.png"},"thumbnail":{"width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":42832,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-150x150.png"},"medium_large":{"width":768,"height":432,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":576223,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-768x432.png"},"1536x1536":{"width":1536,"height":864,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":2037436,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-1536x864.png"},"endurer_mikado_square":{"width":550,"height":550,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":486250,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-550x550.png"},"endurer_mikado_landscape":{"width":1100,"height":550,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":1015516,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-1100x550.png"},"endurer_mikado_portrait":{"width":550,"height":941,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":804570,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-550x941.png"},"endurer_mikado_huge":{"width":1100,"height":941,"mime-type":"image\/png","filesize":1691750,"url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/race-for-the-roses-1100x941.png"}}},"all_day":false,"start_date":"2027-12-31 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04:02:11","url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/?tribe_events=holiday-half-portland","rest_url":"https:\/\/whatracetorun.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/38832","title":"Holiday Half Portland","description":" The Holiday Half starts and finishes at the beautiful LEED Platinum-certified Daimler Truck North America campus on Swan Island, overlooking the Willamette River in Portland. The half marathon, 15K, 10K, and 5K routes wind through the city’s northwest neighborhoods and waterfront, featuring carolers and holiday music stations positioned throughout the course. A popular cookie station greets runners on all distances, delivering one of the most delicious on-course fuel stops in Oregon racing.<\/p>\n Hosted by Foot Traffic, Portland’s beloved local running retailer, the Holiday Half takes place each December and routinely sells out before the start of the month. The half marathon starts at 8 a.m. with a course closure at 11:30 a.m. An early start at 7:40 a.m. is available for slower runners. Group pricing is available for teams of eight or more, making it a popular team-building and holiday tradition for Portland businesses and running clubs.<\/p>\n There is no better way to close a Pacific Northwest race season than with this festive celebration of winter running. Costumes are enthusiastically encouraged \u2014 think ugly sweaters, Santa suits, and holiday characters \u2014 transforming Swan Island into a moving holiday parade. The race medal and shirt designs are annually lauded as some of the best in Portland running. The Silver Cloud Inn serves as the official race hotel, just minutes from the start.<\/p>\n Register early \u2014 the Holiday Half regularly fills by early December. Bib pick-up takes place at multiple Foot Traffic retail locations in the week before the race. Dress warmly but expect to heat up quickly once running starts. The post-race party at the Daimler campus is a highlight, so linger and enjoy the holiday atmosphere before heading home.<\/p>\nCourse Highlights<\/h3>\n
Race Details<\/h3>\n
Why Runners Love It<\/h3>\n
Race-Weekend Tips<\/h3>\n
Course Highlights<\/h3>\n
Race Details<\/h3>\n
Why Runners Love It<\/h3>\n
Race-Weekend Tips<\/h3>\n