Nike to Sponsor Portland Marathon

Elevated Race Experience for Runners

Photo Courtesy Portland Marathon

The Portland Marathon has officially announced Nike –– the world’s leader in running product design, innovation and marketing –– as the event’s official footwear and apparel sponsor. This sponsorship will provide participants with Nike Running products while elevating race day experiences at the 53rd annual event taking place on Oct. 5. In addition to producing all event merchandise, Nike will curate pre-race experiences for all runners, extend volunteer opportunities and registration discounts to employees and the Nike community, elevate race day experiences throughout the course and equip all race participants with Nike branded shirts. 

"Ever since we took over the production of the Portland Marathon in 2019, it has been a dream of ours to partner with Nike at this event. Nothing could be more iconic than to have Nike, born and bred in Oregon, join forces with us at the signature running event in Portland,” said Darrell Phippen, head of events at Brooksee, producer of the Portland Marathon. “We look forward to this partnership as it will elevate the race experience for all of our runners."

This partnership announcement comes as organizers continue preparations for the event's next edition, which will feature new additions and beloved traditions. In recent years, the Portland Marathon has worked closely with local run clubs to create pre-race activations. A shakeout run was put on in partnership with 10 local run clubs and attracted over 300 runners last year, which toured participants along the famous Portland waterfront. Community members and visitors can expect the return of the shakeout run with participation predicted to exceed last year’s numbers.

The Portland Marathon also provides the opportunity for spectators to get involved on race day through their “neighborhood cheer station” competition, where running groups and neighborhood associations can gather a group to cheer on participants. This can include fun signs, music, dressing in costumes, or any other unique way the groups come up with to encourage the runners. Participants on the course vote for their favorite cheer station and the group with the most votes takes home a prize of $1,000. Registration for the 2025 event is currently open. For more information about the Portland Marathon, visit www.portlandmarathon.com