Update:

Callers are overwhelming phone lines at the Portland Marathon between runners calling to find out the status of the race and Occupy Portland supporters urging Marathon organizers to share the park space.

An automated response to inquiries by email, as well as a marathon news release, says there's no need for concern.

"We will find a compromise that meets the needs of both parties," it reads. "We are working closely with the City and representatives from Occupy Portland to reach a solution.

Mayor Sam Adams says he hopes to reach an agreement by early afternoon to resolve the impasse between Occupy Portland and the Portland Marathon.

In the meantime, the organizers of the Portland Marathon continue to meet behind closed doors at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

Portland Occupy organizers say protesters will not leave the downtown park, despite Portland city officials' demands that they clear out this morning in advance of Sunday's Portland Marathon.

More than 600 protesters camped out overnight in

and

across from the Federal Courthouse at Southwest Third Avenue and Main Street.

Protesters plan to settle into Chapman Square indefinitely, said organizer Ivy Knight. "This is our space, we won't be moving."

City officials are talking with organizers of the protest and the marathon to find a solution.

"

Occupy Portland

"Right now, I am meeting with city staff team and Portland Marathon organizers," Mayor Sam Adams said this morning. "I walked through Lownsdale and Chapman parks at 6:45 a.m. and talked with some of the Occupy Portland organizers. There is no additional news to report at this time, as we actively seek a solution."

As crowds swelled to as many as 1,000 demonstrators, Imre Illes, another organizer, said the decision to stay came in part because of the likely solidarity between protesters and some 10,000 expected marathon participants.

"We feel like the runners and athletes are part of what we represent, and we're confident we can share the space with them. With all due respect, this is bigger than a permit that was filed a year ago," Illes said.

"This is a national movement."

If police break up the protest at the park, organizers said the demonstrators will regroup tonight at 7 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

Police spokesman Sgt. Pete Simpson said the last resort would be arrests.

"We're still talking with organizers and the marathon directors to try to strike a balance."

Reaction to the protest was largely supportive Friday morning.

Bob Van Dyk, political science professor at Pacific University, who was outside the federal courthouse leading a group of pre-law students to a meeting with a judge, stopped to watch the gathering.

"I agree with them," he said. "I'm distressed by the gridlock in Washington D.C."

-- Alison Barnwell