Like the US Marines and the Olympics, the Portland Marathon has a motto, a guiding principle, if you will, in which its race organizers and its thousands of volunteers take great pride.

"All finishers are treated as winners" is not as well-known as "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) or "Citius, Altius, Fortius" (Swifter, Higher, Stronger). But it's indicative of the character of the "best organized marathon in North America," according to the Ultimate Guide to Marathons. And the result is an event for runners and walkers, now in its 37th year, that, like high-definition TV, just keeps getting better.

"The Portland Marathon is a peoples' race," said longtime race director Les Smith. "Everything we do is geared to the runners and walkers so they will have an enjoyable event."

How does Smith and his race committee make the 26.2 miles enjoyable? Well, first and foremost, they don't rest on their laurels. Taking a you're-only-as-good-as-your-last-race approach to putting on the Portland Marathon, Smith and Co. are always searching for ways to improve every aspect of the Portland Marathon--from its website to the types of bands on the course to the awards ceremony.