The Portland Marathon has announced a new sponsorship agreement with Hyundai, which will serve as the Official Vehicle of the event ahead of the upcoming race on October 4, 2026.
Produced by endurance event production company Brooksee, the 54th annual road race takes place in Portland, OR. Following a notable 2025 event that attracted nearly 12,000 registered runners – the largest field the marathon had seen in nearly a decade – the event organisers are expecting an even larger turnout for the 2026 edition.
As part of the new agreement, the automotive brand will provide the lead vehicle for all three adult race distances offered by the event, which include the marathon, half marathon and 10K. In addition, the company’s vehicles will be displayed for attendees at both the pre-race expo and the finish line.
The sponsorship will place a strong focus on community impact by spotlighting Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a non-profit organisation supported by Hyundai Motor America and its network of more than 855 independent US dealers. During the post-race Finish Line Festival, representatives will host a special check presentation to reveal a ‘significant financial donation’ to a local children’s hospital.
Aubrey Curl, Director of Partnerships at Brooksee, said “We are thrilled to bring on big names like Hyundai to introduce great elements not only for our event, but also for the local community. By centering this sponsorship around Hyundai Hope on Wheels, we are able to benefit a local children’s hospital, which taps into our mission to benefit organizations that serve youth.”
Gary Koval, representing the Mountain States Region for Hyundai Motor America, said “We’re excited to be part of the Portland community through our sponsorship of the Portland Marathon. For 28 years, our non-profit, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, has invested more than US$300 million in paediatric cancer research, making it one of the nation’s leading funders. In Portland, Hyundai Hope on Wheels has funded close to US$3 million alone, so we’re doing everything we can to help cure childhood cancer once and for all.”
Established in 1972, the Portland Marathon is the oldest continuously running marathon in Oregon. In addition to the three main timed distances, the event also hosts a 1-mile out-and-back Kids Run to encourage youth participation.
The event producer, Brooksee, was founded in 2012 and manages an international portfolio of premier road races, including the Portland Marathon, the Phoenix Marathon, the Las Vegas Marathon, the Mesa Marathon and the REVEL Race Series.
www.portlandmarathon.com
www.brooksee.com
