You are here:
Fargo Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Fargo, ND, USA
- Race Date: 05/22/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Fargo Marathon Description
The Fargo Marathon is one of the flattest, fastest courses in the Midwest, tracing a scenic double-loop route through the heart of Fargo and neighboring West Fargo each May. With less than 100 feet of total elevation change, the Boston-qualifying course is ideal for chasing a personal best or a first BQ. Race weekend also features a half marathon, relay, and 5K, backed by strong local crowd support along the way. Pace groups help runners of every level make the most of this runner-friendly Northern Plains course.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
Share This Race
Shop This Race
Handpicked for runners toeing this line.
Fargo Marathon Additional Details:
Fargo finishes indoors, inside the Fargodome, where a jumbotron replays your final steps and an announcer calls your name to a crowd cheering from real stadium seats rather than a roped-off sidewalk. The oversized finisher medal changes theme every year, past editions have featured the Fargo Theatre, etched downtown skylines, and other local landmarks, and past years have paired the design with a scripture verse on the back. Aid stations start every two miles and tighten up to every mile through the final 10K, exactly when runners need the extra support most. Post-race food goes well beyond bananas, expect chocolate milk, cookies, chips, cookie dough, donut holes, and pizza waiting inside the dome, a genuinely festive way to close out a race that regulars call one of the best-organized on their calendar.
Course Information
Profile: Very Flat
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7 hours (full), 4 hours (half)
# of Finishers
5,500+ Half Marathon
900 to 1,000 Marathon
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 90 ft
Elevation Loss: 90 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 43°F
- High: 68°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Fargo, ND, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Outdoors & Trails
Red River Trails
Bike or walk the trails along the Red River connecting Fargo and Moorhead, part of the region’s extensive greenway system — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Museums & History
Bonanzaville USA
Step back into pioneer history at Bonanzaville USA, an open-air museum village with more than 40 historic buildings — an easy, low-impact stop after race day.
Food & Drink
Drekker Brewing Company
Sip a craft beer at Drekker Brewing Company inside Brewhalla, downtown Fargo’s massive community gathering space — a relaxed way to celebrate the finish line after race day.
Sports & Entertainment
Fargo Air Museum
Explore vintage and military aircraft at the Fargo Air Museum, home to one of the region’s largest collections of flying warbirds — a relaxed, indoor stop after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Riverfront Park
Take in river views from the Rotary Natural Play Hill in Riverfront Park, Moorhead’s popular natural playscape along the Red River — a relaxed, low-impact stop after race weekend.
Shopping
Broadway Boutiques
Browse local boutiques like O’Day Cache and STABO along Broadway in downtown Fargo’s walkable core — an easy, flat stroll for a post-race souvenir after race weekend.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Red River Zoo
See cold-weather and endangered species at the Red River Zoo, open year-round since its animals are native to climates like Fargo’s — a flat, self-paced walk after race day.
Arts & Culture
Plains Art Museum
See regional and contemporary works at the Plains Art Museum in downtown Fargo, offered with free admission year-round — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper or recovery day.
Landmark
Celebrity Walk of Fame
Walk the Celebrity Walk of Fame in downtown Fargo, honoring notable people connected to the city and state — an easy, flat, low-impact stroll after race weekend.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Fargo Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Fargo Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes