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Photo courtesy of Multnomah County Beginning Monday, Oct. 13, the Broadway Bridge will close for six months to all cars, trucks, buses and the Portland Streetcar for work to replace the bridge deck. Plan ahead for your commute and use any other downtown Portland bridge.      CLOSURE DATES: October 13, 2025 - April 11, 2026    SIDEWALK ACCESS: During the majority of this work, the south sidewalk will remain open for cyclists, pedestrians and those using mobility devices. However, during the first week of this closure, there will be a few brief periods of time that the sidewalk will be closed. Crews will be balancing the bridge and installing scaffolding. The bridge lift span will be fully open during these times. For safety, the bridge will need to be closed to all traffic.    SOUTH SIDEWALK CLOSURE DATES/TIMES:  Monday, Oct. 13: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.   Tuesday, Oct. 14: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.   PORTLAND STREETCAR SERVICE: During this six-month closure, the Portland Streetcar, which normally crosses the bridge, will still provide service with some modifications:   The streetcar will serve the east side via the Tilikum Crossing, turning around on either end of the Broadway Bridge. A and B loop streetcars will operate as one line, going both directions through downtown and along the central east side. The stop at N.W. 9 th  and Lovejoy will be closed for the duration of the project.   TRIMET SERVICE:  TriMet’s Line 17-Holgate/Broadway will move to a new route that will use the Steel Bridge instead. Check trimet.org/alerts  for the latest service information.   This work is part of the Broadway Bridge Lift Deck Replacement Project. A contractor will be replacing the bridge deck – that’s the surface you drive on, of the movable section of the bridge. In order to do the work, the contractor will remove small sections of the bridge deck, one at a time, to ensure that the movable bridge sections remain carefully balanced and can be opened to river traffic as required by law. New streetcar tracks will also be installed in the section of the bridge deck being replaced. For information, visit: https://multco.us/info/broadway-bridge-lift-deck-replacement .     Multnomah County maintains five Willamette River bridges: the Sellwood, Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside and Broadway Bridges as well as the Wapato Bridge over the Multnomah Channel. For information, visit https://www.multco.us/bridges.

Crisis support team now easier to reach Portland Street Response's founding team. (Photo Courtesy of Portland Street Response) Portland Street Response has announced several changes – including a new number and new hours – to improve the program’s ability to assist people experiencing mental health and behavioral health crises. Effective October 1, you can reach Portland Street Response by calling 911 or 503-823-7773 from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Both lines will be answered by trained 911 call takers. Please continue to call 911 when reporting instances involving an immediate threat to life or property.    “We are thrilled! The Portland Street Response specific phone number illustrates what can be accomplished when the Portland Public Safety Service Area works together to meet community needs,” said April Roa, Interim Program Manager for Portland Street Response. “We thank our partners at the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications for helping make this possible.” Portland Street Response is available to assist individuals who are down and have not been checked, those experiencing an active crisis—such as yelling, crying, agitation, disorganized or repetitive behavior, or talking to unseen others—people who are inappropriately dressed for the weather and at risk of exposure-related injury or illness, individuals seeking support with resources but without access to a phone, and those wishing to reconnect with Portland Street Response services after prior contact. Portland Street Response is not available to respond to individuals who are actively suicidal, those brandishing weapons or behaving violently, third-party callers reporting homeless encampments without any indicators of crisis, or third-party callers requesting supplies, resources, referrals, or shuttling without any signs of crisis.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from deploying troops Demonstrators standoff against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents outside an ICE facility on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)  (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from deploying the National Guard in Portland, ruling Saturday in a lawsuit brought by the state and city. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, issued the order pending further arguments in the suit. She said the relatively small protests the city has seen did not justify the use of federalized forces and allowing the deployment could harm Oregon’s state sovereignty. “This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs,” Immergut wrote. She later continued, “This historical tradition boils down to a simple proposition: this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.” The Trump administration late Saturday filed a notice of appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. State and city officials sued to stop the deployment last week, one day after the Trump administration announced that 200 Oregon National Guard troops would be federalized to protect federal buildings. The president called the city “war-ravaged.” Oregon officials said that characterization was ludicrous. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the city has been the site of nightly protests that typically drew a couple dozen people in recent weeks before the deployment was announced. Generally speaking, the president is allowed “a great level of deference” to federalize National Guard troops in situations where regular law enforcement forces are not able to execute the laws of the United States, the judge said, but that has not been the case in Portland. Plaintiffs were able to show that the demonstrations at the immigration building were not significantly violent or disruptive ahead of the president’s order, the judge wrote, and “overall, the protests were small and uneventful.” “The President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts,” Immergut wrote. Following the ruling, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said that “President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement — we expect to be vindicated by a higher court.” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield called the ruling “a healthy check on the president.” “It reaffirms what we already knew: Portland is not the president’s war-torn fantasy. Our city is not ravaged, and there is no rebellion,” Rayfield said in a statement. He added: “Members of the Oregon National Guard are not a tool for him to use in his political theater.” Trump has deployed or threatened to deploy troops in several U.S. cities, particularly ones led by Democrats, including Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago and Memphis. Speaking Tuesday to U.S. military leaders in Virginia, he proposed using cities as training grounds for the armed forces. Last month a federal judge ruled that the president’s deployment of some 4,700 National Guard soldiers and Marines in Los Angeles this year was illegal, but he allowed the 300 who remain in the city to stay as long as they do not enforce civilian laws. The Trump administration appealed, and an appellate panel has put the lower court’s block on hold while it moves forward. The Portland protests have been limited to a one-block area in a city that covers about 145 square miles (375 square km) and has about 636,000 residents. They grew somewhat following the Sept. 28 announcement of the guard deployment. The Portland Police Bureau, which has said it does not participate in immigration enforcement and only intervenes in the protests if there is vandalism or criminal activity, arrested two people on assault charges. A peaceful march earlier that day drew thousands to downtown and saw no arrests, police said. On Saturday, before the ruling was released, roughly 400 people marched to the ICE facility. The crowd included people of all ages and races, families with children and older people using walkers, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. Federal agents responded with chemical crowd control munitions, including tear gas canisters and less-lethal guns that sprayed pepper balls. At least six people were arrested as the protesters reached the ICE facility. Later in the evening, federal agents again emerged from the facility and deployed tear gas on a crowd of about 100 people. Trump sent federal officers to Portland over the objections of local and state leaders in 2020 during long-running racial justice protests following George Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police. The administration sent hundreds of agents for the stated purpose of protecting the federal courthouse and other federal property from vandalism. That deployment antagonized demonstrators and prompted nightly clashes. Federal officers fired rubber bullets and used tear gas. Viral videos captured federal officers arresting people and hustling them into unmarked vehicles. A report by the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general found that while the federal government had legal authority to deploy the officers, many of them lacked the training and equipment necessary for the mission. The government agreed this year to settle an excessive force lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union by paying compensating several plaintiffs for their injuries.

Career Resources and Financial Insights Photo Courtesy of OnPoint Community Credit Union OnPoint Community Credit Union announced a new partnership with The School of Business at Portland State University, to help prepare students for a successful career. OnPoint will be folded into several School of Business events throughout the 2025-2026 school year, while also providing guest speakers and panelists for business classes and gatherings. Oregon’s largest credit union will also cover the cost of new headshots for students, giving them a professional start to their business careers. "Any successful career begins with a solid educational foundation, and The School of Business at PSU has provided its students with an exceptional experience for more than 50 years,” said Bob Harding, chief commercial officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Education is OnPoint’s foundation, so the partnership makes perfect sense. We look forward to supporting the next generation of business leaders, and we are excited to enrich their PSU experience and encourage their ambition.” Through the new partnership, OnPoint will sponsor several university events providing advice and information to students in the School of Business. These include Financial Wellness Day on October 23, 2025, where students can meet representatives from local financial wellness organizations, including OnPoint; a finance career panel discussion during the Winter 2026 term featuring professionals from the local finance community, with an OnPoint branch manager among the panel experts; and the Portland State Winter All Majors & Business Fair on February 9, 2026, which will bring representatives from more than 100 employers to campus for students to meet, network, and explore potential careers. "We are incredibly grateful to OnPoint Community Credit Union for their generous donation to the Portland State University School of Business Career Center. This gift directly strengthens our ability to provide business students with the critical resources and career coaching they need to succeed,” said Shannon Aniciete, director of Business Career Services, Portland State University School of Business. “OnPoint’s investment is an investment in the future of Portland's community, as our graduates go on to become the innovators who drive our regional economy."

Molly Washington Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) recently welcomed Molly Washington ( N'dee/Apache ) to serve as the next Director of the Native American Program, historically known as NAPOLS.  Since its inception in 1979, NAPOLS has provided high-quality legal advice and representation to income-eligible Native American community members, organizations, and Indian Tribes throughout Oregon, covering an array of legal issues including estate planning, guardianship, expungement, benefits access, tribal sovereignty and more. Molly brings a breadth of experience to this leadership position, having spent over 16 years as a civil law practicing attorney in both the private and public sectors, as well as experience in non-profit leadership. Molly currently serves as the Chair of the Native American Youth and Family Center, having served on the Board for the past six years, and has worked with many other Native-led organizations throughout the region. Molly's approach to her work at NAPOLS is guided by her cultural values which instill responsibility, respect, balance, interconnection, humility, and truth. Molly is ecstatic about the opportunity to advance and reinvigorate the Native American Program so that it remains responsive to community needs and the shifting legal landscape. "NAPOLS is a program that has the ability to provide significant legal support to the members of our Native community who are most in need ," Molly said. "Our community is resilient, adaptable, creative, strong, and inspiring. Our work is to advocate, to educate, and to empower all of those traits. I am grateful for the opportunity to play a small part in the long legacy of NAPOLS and am honored that its future has been entrusted to our team." If you want to learn more about the Native American Program of LASO and its services, go to  Native American Program - LASO

Chef Kiara Hardy  Chef Kiara "Kitchen Killa" Hardy is the renowned owner of Kitchen Killa Culinary Solutions, a full-service, luxury catering and private chef company serving clients nationally, with a home base in the Pacific Northwest since 2015. Chef Hardy, a South Florida native, prides herself on creating "sophisticated comfort food" by blending the nostalgic feeling of culinary favorites with inspiration and influence from all over the world. Hardy, who is currently headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, serves as the CEO and Executive Chef of a team of culinary and service professionals who provide private chef services, corporate catering and culinary solutions to several high-profile Portland residents, well­ established non-profits, in demand-restaurants and various members of the Portland Trailblazer organization from players and coaches to front office personnel. Chef's passion for culinary and hospitality is evident, in-demand and making headlines. Search online for Kitchen Killa media mentions in the Willamette Weekly, The Portland Medium and PDX Eater to name a few. More press can be found online at www.kitchenkilla.com. Meanwhile, Hardy continues to handle the demands of her Florida and Oregon clientele by successfully staffing local chefs in each state for businesses, weddings, corporate events and other private affairs. Kitchen Killa clients have come to expect a culinary experience like no other. Clients include: Kairos, Friends of Baseball, Nike, USA Basketball, American Express, NBA, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, University of Portland and several current and former NBA, NFL & WN BA players. To request quote for your next event, please contact kitchenkilla.com or kiara@kitchenkilla.com

Crystal Chanel Press Release Marketing is a full-service marketing and consulting firm founded by Crystal Chanel. We provide creative strategies and project management for profitable businesses and nonprofit organizations, offering services that include branding, social media, graphic design, website development, event production, and community engagement. Our clients—ranging from chefs, restaurants, gyms, trainers, and chiropractors to nonprofits like the Urban League of Portland, Urban League of Broward, NAACP Portland Branch, Elevate Oregon and ELO, Inc.—turn to us to save time, outsource marketing tasks, and achieve results with consistent, professional campaigns. For more than 12 years, Press Release Marketing has produced high-profile events such as the Urban League of Portland’s Equal Opportunity Gala and the NAACP Portland Freedom Fund Dinner. Led by Crystal Chanel, a nationally recognized marketing professional and Legacy Magazine Top 40 Under 40 honoree, Press Release Marketing continues to help organizations build visibility, expand their reach, and create meaningful connections with their audiences.

Aaron Peterson (Photo by Mark Washington) Aaron Peterson was enjoying himself at a poker table in Las Vegas on August 18 of last year when he got the terrible news that his business, 42nd Avenue Fish & Chips, was going up in flames. “One of my worker face-timed me and showed my building was on fire,” Peterson said, “and I was out of commission for about a year.” It shouldn’t have taken that long, Peterson believes, since the fire only damaged the kitchen. But unfortunately for him, the Portland Fire Department decided to have a training crew demolish the building entirely. “I was going to rebuild the old building and a whole bunch could have been salvaged since the fire was just in the kitchen,” he said. “It was really, really unfair. The fire had been out for about two hours, but they (firefighters) were in there, drinking my soda pop, tearing it down.” Even then, the fire department didn’t make it any easier for Peterson, he said. “The fire marshal put us through things and I felt like they put us through the ringer,” he said. “I don’t know why — I felt like it was a little racism — because of the fences they had us put up and a ventilation system I don’t see in other folks’ businesses.” Peterson’s business was originally at NE Alberta Street and Alberta, but a new owner evicted him and he was glad to find a new location at 5303 NE 42nd Ave. until it was brought down by fire — and the fire department. The future didn’t look bright, but the 42nd Avenue Alliance, a community-based economic development initiative, helped Peterson locate another building at 4935 42nd Ave., just down the street, which he promptly bought enabling him keep the same business name. The new location opened on Sept. 11, and Peterson said now business is good. “We’re open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm, and Sunday from noon to 7 pm,” he said. Peterson learned to cook fish from his mother as he was growing up in Los Angeles, focusing on cornmeal breading and a secret recipe of spices. The restaurant serves a variety of fish, including red snapper, catfish, cod and tilapia, Peterson said, as well as oysters, shrimps, a variety of salads, along with fried okra, hush puppies, potato salad, mac and cheese, cabbage, greens, cornbread, grits and a range of desserts that includes banana pudding, sweet potato pie, German chocolate cake, chocolate cake, strawberry cake and devil’s food cake. “It’s not just fish and chips,” Peterson said. “It’s also a little bit of soul food.”

Small Businesses in Lloyd Center Empress Edwards-EL stands holding pastries in front of her shop in Lloyd Center Mall. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, after losing her high-level government job, Empress Edwards-EL went from a nationally-known public health expert to owning a pastry shop in the Lloyd Center Mall. “I was still working full-time this year, but with the new president I received a layoff notice,” Edwards said. “I had a DEI job (diversity, equity and inclusion),” a field that President Trump notoriously came out as against. Business is okay at Yummy Empire, Edwards said, but it could be better. “It’s a good place for start-ups and to keep some money in owners’ pockets, but the mall management is not promoting us at all, not even a sign that we’re open during construction,” she said. With El in her name reflecting her Moorish heritage, Edwards said got the idea for Yummy Empire while teaching her 16-year-old twin daughters, Olivia and Gracie, how to create traditional dessert recipes, like sweet potato pie and peach cobbler, and she then opened a website where people could pre-order. Business was so good that she rented a commercial kitchen and sold treats like the pies, banana pudding, strawberry pizza and walnut chocolate chip cookies. “We use no bleached flour or white sugar,” she said. “Only good quality ingredients, so everything is homemade from scratch.” As chance would have it, one day when Edwards was at the Lloyd Center, she noticed that a former Cinnabon store had closed while she was eating burgers with her girls in the food court, when a friend happened by and encouraged her to take over the Cinnabon space. “I contacted (mall) management and took it from there,” she said. “My daughters are back in school now and traffic is slow, but there’s not enough business to hire someone, and I need to grow the business so I can sustain a household.” Edwards has also expanded her menu to include ground beef tacos, milkshakes, Italian sodas, espresso and ice cream by the scoop, using family recipes. “Everything is like mama and them made,” she said. “I’m a picky eater, and we like to be a place where you can come and get it the way you want it — we can even put strawberries in your banana pudding.” Edwards has a degree in business administration and over 22 years in public health for state and county health departments, dealing with HIV and chronic disease management and wellness. “I was on Montel and Oprah, on the cover of the Portland Observer, and in Cosmopolitan, sat on planning councils, advocated for youth-based programs out of Wahington, DC, was instrumental in getting comprehensive sex education in schools, and worked with immigrants and built programs through the Albina Ministerial Alliance,” she said. Her last government job was with the Washington State Department of Health, and it’s been a struggle since then, but one Edwards believes she can handle. “A theme of my life is taking a bad situation and turning it into opportunities, from growing up with a parent struggling with addiction, to getting diagnosed with a chronic illness,” she said. Edwards originally named her store Yummy Treats, but switched to Yummy Empire when she found the original name had been trademarked, but she can still be found on Instagram under yummytreats911 and can be reached by email at yummytreats911@gmail.com . But to be profitable, said Edwards’ friend Latina McCord, another Black businesswoman who owns Latina’s Style of Elegance dress shop at the Lloyd Center, agrees that business needs to pick up, and the mall management could do a lot more to advertise the small businesses trying to make ends meet, especially those that are Black-owned. “There’s a lot of stuff going on, small businesses doing pop-ups and trade shows, but it’s mostly Caucasian, and Black people don’t know there are still stores here for them,” McCord said. “I had a store at NE 13 th  Ave. and Alberta for three years, but a lot of people don’t know I’m here at the Lloyd Center.” McCord said a lot of white people come in her store from a nearby hotels, but mall management doesn’t advertise at them as it once did before the mall’s big box stores closed. “I would love to see my old customers come back, but with Nordstrum’s being torn down, people don’t know that what’s keeping the mall afloat are small businesses, and we’ve been there all along.”

Driving Progress through Equity and Purpose Kymberly Horner, Executive Director of Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI) Kymberly Horner has served as Executive Director of Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. (PCRI) since July 2019, becoming only the second person to hold the post in the organization’s nearly three decades of service. Under her leadership, PCRI has continued its mission of providing affordable housing, creating pathways to homeownership, and promoting wealth-building for communities historically disenfranchised in Portland, particularly people of color. Horner grew up in Westlake Village, California, where civic engagement was a part of daily life. Her father served as Mayor and as a City Councilmember for 18 years, giving Horner an early understanding of the role local leadership can play in shaping communities. She got her start in public service working for California Congressman Brad Sherman, assisting constituents and learning how to navigate governmental processes to make services accessible. Her career path then led her to the City of Oxnard, where she spent over 17 years in local government, most recently as Economic Development Director. In that role, she oversaw downtown revitalization, business attraction and retention, and retail development. Horner has said those experiences taught her how to connect economic development with long-term community stability—a lesson she has carried into her work at PCRI. Since joining PCRI, Horner has guided the organization through a period of both challenge and growth. The nonprofit owns and operates over 2000 doors in North and Northeast Portland, neighborhoods that have seen dramatic increases in property values and displacement pressures. She has emphasized maintaining a strong organizational foundation to manage during economically challenging times, ensuring PCRI can continue serving the residents who rely on its programs. PCRI staff standing together on the front steps. (Photo by Mark Washington) Early in her tenure, Horner oversaw the financing, construction, and community planning for King + Parks , a 70-unit affordable housing rental project in the Piedmont neighborhood. Despite the disruptions of COVID-19, the project moved forward successfully, providing much-needed rental units and reinforcing PCRI’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive community development. Between 2019 and 2020, she and her team also completed two separate for-sale townhome projects, enabling approximately 10 income-qualified families to achieve homeownership. Horner’s leadership extends beyond new construction. Her team is now turning its attention to the development of 12 new homeownership units on four parcels owned by PCRI. Aged units will be removed to make way for modern homes, which will be offered to lower- to middle-income qualified residents once construction is complete. This effort builds on PCRI’s broader commitment to creating wealth-building opportunities for Portland residents, particularly those impacted by decades of gentrification. At the same time, PCRI has invested in its existing housing portfolio. The organization recently restored 16 single-family homes using grants from the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF), and plans to move another 50 single-family homes into PCEF grant funding pending approval. Additional homes will receive support from Constructing Hope , a like-minded organization dedicated to rebuilding the lives of people in the community. These efforts highlight Horner’s strategic focus on not just building new units, but also sustaining and improving existing housing stock. Horner is also leading several larger-scale initiatives. The Williams & Russell redevelopment will bring 85 rental units and a mix of homeownership opportunities to a historic site in North/Northeast Portland. Horner personally secured $2 million in Congressional earmark funding for the project, demonstrating her ability to leverage federal resources to meet local needs. Meanwhile, Kafoury Court , a 40-unit Permanent Supportive Housing project scheduled to open in 2025, will provide residents coming out of chronic homelessness with safe, dignified, and beautifully designed housing. For Horner, housing is more than just structures—it’s about opportunity. She has worked to secure millions in grants supporting both development projects and day-to-day operations, ensuring PCRI’s long-term financial stability. “PCRI’s mission isn’t just about building units,” she told the Portland Observer . “It’s about creating opportunities for families to return, to thrive, and to build wealth that has been denied to them for generations.” Horner’s influence extends well beyond her immediate projects. She serves as Vice-Chair of Housing Oregon , Chair of the NAACP Portland Branch Housing Committee , and is active in numerous organizations, including the National Association of Minority Contractors, the Affordable Housing Industry Anti-Racism Collaborative, and The Links, Inc. She frequently participates on panels and podcasts, sharing insights on affordable housing, wealth creation, and community development. Ernie Warren, PCRI’s longtime general counsel, noted the complexity of Horner’s work. “Kymberly has stepped into a role that requires not only skill but vision,” he said. “She understands that housing is the foundation of stability, and she’s fighting to make sure families in this community have access to it.” Horner also prioritizes community engagement. Residents are invited to participate in design forums and planning sessions, ensuring that new developments reflect neighborhood needs and priorities. PCRI’s projects are also designed to integrate services, like workforce training and economic empowerment programs, that support residents in building long-term security. The Pathway 1000 initiative remains central to PCRI’s vision. The plan calls for the creation of 200 rental homes and 800 units for individual ownership over ten years. Horner sees these goals as achievable through thoughtful development, strategic partnerships, and active community involvement. As housing costs continue to rise and displacement pressures grow in Portland, PCRI’s work has never been more critical. Horner emphasizes that solutions require both vision and collaboration. “The community needs to be part of the solution,” she said. “There’s a role for every leader, every partner, and every neighbor who cares about Portland’s future. Together, we can make sure families have not only housing, but a real chance to prosper.” Under Kymberly Horner’s leadership, PCRI has strengthened its operational capacity, advanced major development projects, and expanded its portfolio of rehabilitated and newly built homes. Her work exemplifies the power of strategic leadership, community engagement, and a commitment to justice in housing. For Portlanders seeking stability, opportunity, and a pathway to homeownership, PCRI under Horner’s guidance remains a vital resource—and a beacon of hope.

Over 11,800 runners registered for the historic event Actress, writer, and producer Issa Rae participated in The Portland Marathon October 5 th  2025. (photo courtesy of Portland Marathon) The Portland Marathon , one of the longest-running consecutive marathons in the state of Oregon, hosted over 11,800 participants on Oct. 5 for its 53nd annual event. The Portland Marathon offered four distances: a marathon, half marathon, the MindRX Group 10K and the Kids Run, which all offer their own scenic tours of the Portland area. The Portland running community was strongly represented this year, with a majority of podium finishers across all distances residing in Portland.   Runners took on multiple courses where they toured some of Portland’s most notable landmarks and neighborhoods, including the Waterfront Park, Old Town, the Pearl District, Sellwood-Moreland, Reed College and experienced multiple bridge crossings over the Willamette River.   Photo courtesy of Portland Marathon “The Portland Marathon is truly a special event for everyone involved,” said Phil Dumontet, CEO of Brooksee, producer of the Portland Marathon. “With this year’s sell-out race, we couldn’t be more proud to share that the Portland Marathon is now Brooksee’s largest event in our portfolio of races, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing participants, race staff, sponsors, and of course, the support from the local community right here in Portland.”   Nic Maszk, the men’s marathon champion and overall first-place finisher, completed the 26.2 miles in 2:28:53, followed by the men’s marathon second-place finisher, Portland resident Jared Bassett. Max Woodbury, another Portland resident, took the third-place spot for the men’s marathon. The women’s marathon course was led by Portland local Luciana Lenth, who finished her second marathon ever with a time of 2:53:20, a 30 minute personal record (PR). Second and third-place finishers for the women’s marathon were Rachael Lenz and Portland resident Georgia Filler. Eliezer Vasquez claimed first in the gender expansive division with a time of 3:06:00, followed by second and third-place finishers Patric Campbell and Devon Carlstrom.    The men’s half marathon division was led by Alex Slenning, a Portland resident, who finished with a time of 1:04:12, while Portland local Jenny Schilling led the women’s division with a time of 1:14:13. JL Odom, the gender expansive division leader completed the course with a time of 1:24:46. All first-place finishers of the men’s, women’s and gender expansive divisions for the MindRX Group 10K were also Portland locals. The men’s division was led by Jonathan Carmin with a time of 31:06, Alexandra Keogh brought in first for the women’s division finishing in 38:59, and Samson Ice led the gender expansive division with a time of 58:27.    Race weekend also featured a shakeout run on Oct. 4, in partnership with Nike, the event’s official footwear and apparel sponsor. Over 1,000 locals and visitors took part in the free event at Nike World Headquarters, which also featured complimentary Nike Company Store guest passes, a recovery zone featuring Hyperice equipment, giveaways, product trialing, athlete appearances and a live DJ. On that same Saturday was the Health and Lifestyle Expo, which hosted a variety of vendors offering runner-friendly products and services to help prepare participants for the eventful weekend.   Spectators at the Portland Marathon also had the opportunity to earn a prize on race day. The event annually hosts a “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 take home a prize of $1,000.    For more information about the Portland Marathon, visit www.portlandmarathon.com  and follow the event on Facebook  and Instagram .