The Portland Marathon is "in danger of being cancelled after city officials denied the October race a permit last week, citing a strain on police overtime hours," according to Rachel Monahan of WILLAMETTE WEEK. The marathon is currently scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 8, but the "decision by the city imperils the 45-year tradition." The race is organized by a nonprofit, Portland Marathon Inc. Last year, about "6,000 people ran in the race, and another 3,000 people ran in the half-marathon." The Portland Police Bureau has been "warning race organizers for more than six months that the route needs to change to reduce police officer overtime" (WWEEK.com, 6/13). Portland Bureau of Transportation Public Information Officer Dylan Rivera said that the event has "not opted to work to find a route that fits the new criteria." In Portland, Lizzy Acker notes the marathon would rather "use the same route it has used for 25 years." Portland Marathon Event Dir Les Smith said that the current route is the "main draw" of the race and he "takes issue with the idea that police can't staff the event" (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/14).
