PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Marathon returned to the city’s streets on Sunday.

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John Ngigi of Glide, Oregon won the race in a time of 2 hours 31 minutes and 22 seconds. The top woman was 42-year-old Kami Semick of Bend, who finished in 2:45:24.

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On a cool and sometimes damp Sunday morning, thousands turned out to participate in the marathon, marathon walk, and 5-mile run.

John Ngigi of Glide defeated more than 9,200 runners to win.

The former NAIA champion distance runner rallied to win in 2 hours 31 minutes and 22 seconds. Kami Semick of Bend won the women's division in 2:45:24. Semick won the 2004 Seattle Marathon, but is better known for running ultramarathons.

IThe Portland Marathon is considered one of the premier marathon events in the United States. It has been ranked as one of the top 10 local road race events in the country, and one of the top 40 races of all types and distances.

Runner's World has called the Portland Marathon "the best people's marathon in the West". The publication also states that "perhaps more than any other running event in the country, this race keeps evolving, keeps getting better", further describing the event as one of the "friendliest, best organized, most family-oriented races in the country."

In previous years’ rankings, the Ultimate Guide to Marathons listed the Portland Marathon as "The best organized Marathon in North America" and "One of the top 3 marathons to do as a first marathon".

Since 1998, more than half the finishers of the Portland Marathon (runners + walkers) have been female, with that number reaching 58% in 2007.

During the past two years, 1/4 of the event’s participants have been walkers, a high number due in large part to the course staying open for 8 hours. In its October 2004 issue, Runner's World listed the Portland Marathon "as the most walker friendly marathon in the US."

More information and winners for this year’s Marathon can be found at www.portlandmarathon.org.

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