Fargo Marathon | |
---|---|
Date | May 21, 2022 |
Location | Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. |
Event type | Road |
Distance | Marathon |
Primary sponsor | Essentia Health |
Established | 2005 |
Course records | Abraham Talam Kipkemei; 2:19:24 (2023) |
Official site | https://fargomarathon.com |
Participants | 1360 finishers (2019)[1] |
The Fargo Marathon is an annual road running marathon in Fargo, North Dakota, first held in 2005. Most years, it begins and ends inside the Fargodome,[2] and the course also travels through Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo's twin city. The event weekend also hosts a half marathon, 10K, and 5K. The race is a USATF-qualified course, so marathon finish times can be used to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The event has been sponsored by Sanford Health.[3]
History
The inaugural Fargo Marathon took place on May 14, 2005,[4][5] and started on the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Red River between Minnesota and North Dakota. The first year's race weekend offered a 5K on Friday, and a marathon, marathon relay, and a half marathon on Saturday, starting at 8 a.m.[6] Almost 3,000 runners were present for the races, and prize money was offered (including $400 for first place in the marathons).[7] The race drew on local bands for music on the course (25 live bands were at the course in the early years), and local culture was prominent (those years featured a "pasta/lefse feed" for pre-race carbo-loading).[8] The co-director told the press that the racers had raised $20,000 for two local charities: The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm and MeritCare Children's Hospital.[9]
The race was founded and run by Mark Knutson at a time when local races were becoming more prominent as tourist attractions, but also as places where cities could build associations as being health-focused communities. The races also offered showcasing opportunities for area athletes that otherwise would have to travel elsewhere to have their talent recognized.[10][11]
In the second year, the race weekend drew runners from 46 states, three countries, and had an estimated economic impact of a $1.5 million boost to the local businesses and charities.[12] The half marathon was one of the most popular events, drawn nearly 2,000 runners.[12] It also spawned a collaboration with the Lake Agassiz Arts Council, which sponsored a Native-focused "Herd About the Prairie" art exhibition. The exhibition placed a collection of 39 decorated buffalo sculptures (the size of real buffalo) throughout the marathon course.[13]
In 2010, Runner's World reported the race held a high entry-fee-to-value quality.[14][5]
As the race progressed in years, it maintained a reputation for being flat,[15] fast, supportive, and loud (with the dozens of bands throughout the course, including rock, dance, oldies, Native drumming—and yes, polka).[16] It has grown in numbers to more than 20,000 runners.[17][18][19][20] The pre-race convention brings food, businesses and speakers to the event center for the thousands of runners and spectators.[21] By 2014, the prize money for first place had also increased to $1,400, with multiple other prizes for top competitors.[22]
In 2019, Knutson sold the race to Rugged Races, though Knutson stayed on as the race director.[23]
In 2020, the first known case of the COVID-19 virus appeared in North Dakota on March 11. Within two days, the country began shutting down, and North Dakota issued a state of emergency.[24] The marathon was rescheduled,[25] but due to the rising number of cases in summer of 2020, it was clear the marathon could not continue.[26] The race was canceled, with all registrants given the option of a refund, a postponement to 2021, or running the race on their own course and time.[27][28][29][30]
Similarly, the 2021 edition of the race was postponed to September 25, 2021, due to the pandemic.[31][32] Participation was at 50 percent of normal, as the race date was close to other Minnesota marathons: The postponed Med City Marathon, the smaller Ely Marathon and the larger Twin Cities Marathon. Race organizers also said the closed Canadian border kept runners away.[33]
Media coverage
Radio coverage has been provided by KFGO.[34] TV coverage has been provided by WDAY-TV, an ABC affiliate.[35]
Course
External images | |
---|---|
Course map of full marathon in 2012[36] | |
Combined course map in 2016[37] |
The marathon, half marathon, and 10K all start and finish inside the Fargodome.[38][32]
The marathon course also crosses over the Red River into Minnesota and back, spending about 6 mi (10 km) in Moorhead, Fargo's twin city.[38]
The course goes through Concordia College's campus in Moorhead, Minnesota, where the Concordia Cobber hands out high-fives. It also circles through Minnesota State University Moorhead's campus, where the MSUM Dragon cheers on the runners.[39][16]
The inside start and finish has become a notable draw for runners. It provides a stark contrast to what many locals deal with in the winter training months, as Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier Valeria Curtis stressed in a 2019 Runner's World article about training near her home in Minot, North Dakota.[40]
In 2009, the course had to be changed due to flooding. The marathon route took two laps instead of one large loop.
In 2014, in celebration of 10 years of the race, the route changed. It started on the bridge, just as it did on the first year. The finish line wasn't inside; it was near the Fargo Theatre on Broadway Street in downtown Fargo.[41][42] The change was only for one year.
Half marathon
Sammy Malakwen, a two-time winner, set the half marathon course record in 2010 at 1:04:27.
Repeat winners
Semehar Tesfaye has won the women's race three years in a row and set the course record in 2016. Tesfaye graduated from Fargo South High School.[43]
Winners
Key: Course record
All cities in North Dakota unless indicated otherwise
*In 2009, the Red River flooded, forcing the marathon course to be two smaller loops.
**A "virtual" race was scheduled.
Participation
Ed. | Year | Marathon finishers | Total participants[lower-alpha 1] | Rf. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2005 | 707 | 2271 | [4][57] |
2 | 2006 | 982 | 6053 | [58][59] |
3 | 2007 | 1196 | 9350 | [60][59] |
4 | 2008 | 1427 | 12,146 | [61][57] |
5 | 2009 | 1272 | 14,000 | [62][63] |
6 | 2010 | 1885 | [64] | |
7 | 2011 | 2213 | [65] | |
8 | 2012 | 1825 | [66] | |
9 | 2013 | 1645 | [67] | |
10 | 2014 | 1655 | [68] | |
11 | 2015 | 1535 | [69] | |
12 | 2016 | 1493 | 22,000 | [70][71] |
13 | 2017 | |||
14 | 2018 | |||
15 | 2019 | |||
- | 2020 | |||
16 | 2021 | |||
Notes
- ↑ Includes participants of all races, including the 5K
External links
Notes
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon Race Results 2019". www.marathonguide.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ↑ Izzo, Dom (May 15, 2023). "WATCH Hot Mic: The fallout of Western Illinois leaving and NDSU dominates on the track again". Hot Mic. Grand Forks Herald. starts at 1:07:14. Grand Forks, North Dakota. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023.
- ↑ "Fargo, North Dakota". Cities of the United States. Gale Group. 2006. ISBN 978-1-4144-0600-8.
- 1 2 "Fargo Marathon - 2005 - Marathon - Official Race Results at Online Race Results". www.onlineraceresults.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- 1 2 "Fargo Marathon: A lot can happen in 13 years | Fargo-Moorhead". www.fargomoorhead.org. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon Set". Sports. Grand Forks Herald. Grand Forks, North Dakota. May 9, 2005. p. 3B.
- 1 2 3 "Wisconsin Man Wins First Fargo Marathon". Sports. Grand Forks Herald. Grand Forks, North Dakota. Associated Press. May 15, 2005. p. 6C.
- ↑ Yasso, Bart (May 2006). "Racing Report: Races to help celebrate spring and set a personal record or two". Runner's World. Vol. 41, no. 5. Eaton, Pennsylvania: Hearst.
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon Raises $20,000". Local. Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota. Associated Press. May 25, 2005. p. 2B.
- ↑ "Money-making Marathons: Major Running Events Attract Thousands of People Who Are Spending Money". News. Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin: Capital Newspapers. November 2, 2006. p. E1.
- ↑ Suzzo, Andrew (2006). The Chicago Marathon. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-07421-9.
- 1 2 Ephinstone, J. W. (November 2, 2005). "More marathoners spur cities, retailers into action". Tallahassee Democrat. Tallahassee, Florida. p. E1.
- ↑ Galbincea, Pat (May 19, 2006). "Half Marathon Gaining in Popularity Among Runners". Sports. The Plains Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. D12.
- ↑ "Marathon Guide 2010". January 2010. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020.
- ↑ Calmus, Taylor (April 12, 2019). "Fargo Travel Guide (Spring Addition)". Los Angeles, California: Dude Dad. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 "2015 Fargo Marathon: Inspiring Sights and Sounds". Fargomaratho2012. Fargo, North Dakota: Fargo Marathon. May 11, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 3 Tollefson, Carrie (May 25, 2011). "Fargo Marathon 2011". C Tolle Run. Minneapolis, Minnesota: YouTube. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ↑ "Grandma's Kicks Off Tourism Season". Local. St. Cloud Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. June 18, 2010. p. 5B.
- ↑ Fedorchak, Julie (May 19, 2010). "Marathon Experience Wonderful". Dakota. Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota. p. B1.
It seems like every other person I meet is heading to Fargo this weekend to run in the marathon. I love it!
- ↑ Becker, Bryann (July 17, 2010). "Running is about frame of mind". Voices. Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. B1, B3.
- ↑ Carey, Art (November 15, 2010). "Running for a fallen brother". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. p. E3.
- 1 2 3 Kolpack, Jeff (May 23, 2010). "Record Showing: St. Paul Runner Captures Men's Title in Dominating Manner". Sports. Grand Forks Herald. Grand Forks, North Dakota. p. C2.
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon sold, Knutson to stay on as race director". KFGO-94.1 FM. Fargo, North Dakota: Midwest Communications. CBS Radio Network. December 3, 2019. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ Sisk, Amy; Nicholson, Blake. "Burgum declares state of emergency in North Dakota; K-12 schools to remain open". The Bismarck Tribune. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ↑ Futterman, Matthew (March 24, 2020). "New York City Marathon Canceled Because of Pandemic". The New York Times. New York, New York. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ Jurgens, Paul (July 27, 2020). "Sanford-Fargo Marathon canceled, rescheduled to May 2021". KFGO-94.1 FM. Fargo, North Dakota: Midwest Communications. CBS Radio Network. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ "2020 Event Cancelled". Fargo Marathon. Archived from the original on July 27, 2020.
- 1 2 Kolpack, Jeff (July 27, 2020). "COVID-19 uptick prompts Fargo Marathon to cancel August event". INFORUM. Fargo, North Dakota: Forum Communications Company. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon Home Page | Fargo Marathon". Archived from the original on July 27, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ↑ "COVID-19 uptick prompts Fargo Marathon to cancel August event". July 27, 2020.
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon to be held in the fall of 2021 | INFORUM". www.inforum.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
- 1 2 "Race Details - Sanford Health Fargo Marathon". Archived from the original on December 11, 2020.
- ↑ Lorge Butler, Sarah (October 4, 2021). "An Unpredictable COVID-19 Situation Creates New Challenges for Race Directors". Runner's World. Eaton, Pennsylvania: Hearst. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
- 1 2 Hammer, Dan (May 19, 2012). "Dan Hammer Interviews 2012 Fargo Marathon Women's Winner Lisa Dyer". KFGO-94.1 FM. Fargo, North Dakota: KFGOweb. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "2019 Fargo Marathon - WDAY Xtra". Fargo, North Dakota. May 18, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2021 – via Facebook.
- ↑ "Back to training mode". 7 Minute Miles. Archived from the original on June 15, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ↑ "Courses". www.fargomarathon.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- 1 2 "2018 Fargo Marathon" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ↑ Kolpack, Jeff; Knutson, Mark (May 4, 2017). "2017 Fargo Marathon". The Forum. Fargo, North Dakota: Forum Communication Company. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Dutch, Taylor (September 20, 2019). "How Treadmill Training Helped This North Dakota Runner Qualify for Trials". Runner's World. Eaton, Pennsylvania: Hearst. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ Polacek, Scott (May 6, 2014). "Fargo Marathon 2014: Date, Start Time, Route and Race Preview". Bleacher Report. San Francisco, California: WarnerMedia. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- 1 2 3 Andrew Jason, ed. (June 1, 2014). "2014 Fargo Marathon Commemorative Book" (PDF). spotlightmediafargo.com. Fargo, North Dakota: Spotlight Media Company. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021 – via Issuu.
- ↑ Kolpack, Jeff (May 21, 2017). "Tuwei takes another Fargo Marathon title". Grand Forks Herald. Grand Forks, North Dakota. p. D2.
- ↑ Henley, Ashley (May 21, 2023). "19th Annual Fargo Marathon Results". The Mighty 790 KFGO. Fargo, North Dakota: Midwest Communications. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ↑ Quinn, Madison (September 26, 2021). "Fargo Marathon welcomes back runners after last year cancellation". The Mighty 790 KFGO. Fargo, North Dakota: Midwest Communications. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
- ↑ Kolpack, Jeff (September 25, 2021). "Marathon women's winner a testament to never giving up". INFORUM. Fargo, North Dakota: Forum Communications Company. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ↑ Kolpack, Jeff (May 22, 2019). "WDAY video of marathon victory will be special for Bareikis family". INFORUM. Fargo, North Dakota: Forum Communications Company. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ↑ Young, Charlee (May 20, 2019). "Minot's Val Curtis Wins Fargo Marathon". KFYR-TV. Gray Media Group. NBC. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- 1 2 "2016 Fargo Marathon Winners". KVLY-TV. Fargo, North Dakota: Gray Television. NBC. May 21, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 Roling, Chris (May 9, 2015). "Fargo Marathon 2015 Results: Men and Women's Top Finishers". Bleacher Report. San Francisco, California: WarnerMedia. Archived from the original on March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- 1 2 "Erichsen Wins 2013 Fargo Marathon". Sports. Fergus Falls Daily Journal. Fergus Falls, Minnesota. May 20, 2013.
- ↑ Hammer, Dan (May 19, 2012). "Dan Hammer Interviews 2012 Fargo Marathon Men's Winner Oliver Hoffman". KFGO-94.1. Fargo, North Dakota: KFGOweb. Retrieved March 10, 2021 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 "Minnesotans Take Fargo Marathon". Sports. St. Cloud Times. St. Cloud, Minnesota. Associated Press. May 10, 2009. p. 6D.
- 1 2 "2008 Fargo Marathon". mtecresults.com. St. Cloud, Minnesota: MTEC Results. May 17, 2008. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- 1 2 "2007 Fargo Marathon". mtecresults.com. St. Cloud, Minnesota: MTEC Results. May 19, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- 1 2 "Minot Man, Fargo Woman Win Race". News. The Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota. Associated Press. May 21, 2006. p. 9C.
- 1 2 "Expect brisk, but dry weather for today's Fargo Marathon". May 9, 2009.
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon - 2006 - Marathon - Official Race Results at Online Race Results".
- 1 2 "Record turnout sets tone". May 21, 2007.
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon - Marathon - Official Race Results at Online Race Results".
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon - 2008 - Marathon - Official Race Results at Online Race Results".
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon - 2009 - Marathon - Official Race Results at Online Race Results".
- ↑ "Fargo Marathon has expanded tenfold since first year". May 22, 2010.
- ↑ "2010 Fargo Marathon - Marathon Race Results".
- ↑ "2011 Fargo Marathon, Half & 10K - Marathon Race Statistics". www.mtecresults.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ↑ "2012 Fargo Marathon, Half & 10K - Marathon Race Statistics". www.mtecresults.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
- ↑ "2013 Fargo Marathon, Half & 10K - Marathon Race Statistics".
- ↑ "2014 Fargo Marathon, Half & 10K - Marathon Race Statistics".
- ↑ "2015 Fargo Marathon, Half & 10K - Marathon Race Statistics".
- ↑ "2016 Fargo Marathon, Half & 10K - Marathon Race Statistics".
- ↑ "Car blocking 10K about the only hitch with Fargo Marathon". May 23, 2016.