Essentia Health Fargo Marathon
The Lowdown
The Essentia Health Fargo Marathon, first held in 2005, has grown into one of the Midwest’s premier spring road races, drawing runners from across the U.S. and around the world. Traditionally staged over the Memorial Day weekend, the event celebrates regional hospitality and community support while providing a reliable late-spring marathon option for both first-time marathoners and elite athletes chasing fast times. Over the years the race has become known for its well-organized logistics, generous spectator support, and a festival atmosphere that includes live music, energetic aid stations, and family-friendly activities. The course is a predominantly flat, fast route that weaves through Fargo and neighboring Moorhead, Minnesota, showcasing the Red River valley’s wide-open skies, riverfront parks, tree-lined residential streets, and downtown stretches with local cheering sections. Runners enjoy lengthy flat segments, minimal elevation change, and scenic views of downtown landmarks, parklands, and neighborhoods—features that make the course particularly conducive to Boston-qualifying performances and personal bests. The race weekend typically includes strong volunteer support, plentiful aid stations, pacers, and a lively finish-line celebration that highlights the community spirit and Midwestern hospitality for which Fargo is known. The Essentia Health Fargo Marathon is USATF-certified and recognized as a Boston Marathon qualifier; the event is also aligned with international course standards used by AIMS, ensuring accurate distance measurement and official time eligibility for qualifying purposes.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
2025 edition posts record participation, sells out quickly
Jun 1, 2025The 2025 Essentia Health Fargo Marathon registered a record field with 9,800 marathon finishers (all distances combined entries exceeded prior years) and full-field registration sold out within 48 hours of opening. Race organizers noted a significant increase in out-of-state runners, with participants from 42 U.S. states and 6 countries.
Elite athlete roster announced early for 2026 — multiple invited sub-2:12 men and sub-2:26 women
Jan 15, 2026Organizers announced an expanded elite program for the 2026 race on May 30, 2026, confirming invites to several men with personal bests under 2:12:00 and women under 2:26:00 to pursue fast times on Fargo's flat, record-eligible course. The announcement included enhanced elite support (appearance fees and travel stipends) to attract international competitors.
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Fargo Theatre
Historic 1926 atmospheric movie palace and iconic downtown marquee on Broadway
Downtown Fargo / Main Avenue
The race runs through the heart of downtown with shops, restaurants and cheering crowds
Red River of the North
Runners cross and run alongside the scenic Red River with waterfront views
Lindenwood Park
Riverfront park with paved trails, trees and spectator areas along the course
Island Park
Picturesque island neighborhood and park area the course passes through near the river
Plains Art Museum
Prominent downtown cultural institution and public art near the race route
North Dakota State University (NDSU) campus
The course skirts parts of the university campus, home of the Bison and local cheering sections
Fargo, ND, United States
US
Based on nearby accommodations
The race offers a booking portal with partner hotel options
- Must be 18 years or older on race day to enter the full marathon
- Open to both U.S. and international participants (no qualifying time required)
- All entrants must complete online registration and sign the event waiver
- Proof of age may be required at packet pickup
- Wheelchair athletes should contact race organizers to confirm division entry and equipment standards
- Participants must follow USATF rules and race marshal instructions
- No bib transfers; entrants must run under the name on the registration
- Photo ID
- Signed liability waiver
- Proof of time for seeded/corral placement (if applicable)
- Emergency contact information
- Parental/guardian consent form (if under 18)
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Tour Operator
- Virtual Race
- On-site/Packet Pickup Registration
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
No refunds under any circumstances
Bib transfers or selling your bib are strictly prohibited
Deferrals to the 2027 race allowed until May 1, 2026 with a $10 processing fee
Medical deferrals available with valid physician's note submitted by May 1, 2026; $10 processing fee applies
The Essentia Health Fargo Marathon is a USATF-certified, Boston-qualifying course known for its very flat and fast profile, making it popular with runners chasing qualifying times and personal bests.
Race weekend includes an expo with packet pickup, a half marathon and 5K on the same weekend, and a kids' run to engage families and youth runners.
All finishers receive a custom finisher medal and technical long-sleeve shirt, and the post-race festival typically offers food, hydration, and a local beer garden for participants and spectators.
Aid stations are frequent (approximately every 1.5–2 miles) with water and sports drink, and organizers recommend using downtown Fargo parking lots or shuttle services and positioning spectators near the downtown finish for the best viewing.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
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