Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon
The Lowdown
The Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon traces its roots to a community-driven celebration of the central Minnesota landscape and the fictionalized spirit of Garrison Keillor’s Lake Wobegon. Since its founding it has become a beloved spring marathon for regional runners and destination athletes seeking a quiet, scenic point-to-point course. The race traditionally starts in the small town of Holdingford and follows the converted rail-trail corridor, finishing near larger service hubs where family and volunteers gather to welcome finishers. Over the years the event has built a reputation for being well-organized, low-key, and friendly — an event where novice marathoners and experienced racers alike feel supported. The course runs primarily on the crushed limestone Lake Wobegon Trail, offering gently rolling terrain, wide sightlines, and changing seasonal vistas — wetlands, oak savanna, stretches of prairie, and small-town Main Streets. Runners enjoy long, runnable sections without heavy urban traffic, with wooden bridges, trestles, and river crossings adding scenic variety. The trail surface and modest elevation changes make it a popular choice for runners aiming for steady pacing and Boston-qualifying efforts. Aid stations are frequent and staffed by local volunteers and running clubs, and the post-race area emphasizes community hospitality with local food, refreshments, and families cheering along the final stretch. Race day atmosphere is relaxed and encouraging: expect a small-to-midsize field, enthusiastic volunteers, and a strong small-town vibe rather than sprawling expo halls or large-city fanfare. Many runners praise the supportive course marshalling, clear signage, and the opportunity to run uninterrupted miles surrounded by nature and quaint towns. The Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon course is measured and certified to national standards and is regularly used as a Boston-qualifying course; the event follows USATF/AIMS measurement practices to ensure accurate distance and eligibility for qualifiers.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Intimate field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Quiet course sections
2026 registration opens with 300-runner cap and early-bird pricing
Nov 1, 2025Organizers opened registration for the 2026 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon on 2025-11-01, announcing a field cap of 300 marathon runners and an early-bird entry fee of $75 through 2026-01-31. General registration will continue until the cap is reached; previous editions sold out in advance, so runners are advised to register early.
Course detour announced for 2026 due to trail resurfacing
Jun 15, 2025The Lake Wobegon Trail Conservancy scheduled resurfacing on a 3.2-mile section of the trail, prompting race organizers to implement a certified detour for the 2026 race that shifts mileage onto adjacent country roads for approximately 3.2 miles and adds ~30 feet of net elevation to the course. Organizers confirmed the detour maintains a certified marathon distance (26.2 miles) and will publish updated maps and elevation profiles on the official website.
This race qualifies for the Boston Marathon
Race Weekend
Other distances available
Notable Landmarks
Holdingford Depot Trailhead
Race start at the historic Holdingford trailhead and former railroad depot area
Sauk River Crossing
Scenic wooden trestle and riverside views where the trail crosses the Sauk River
Rural Farmland & Prairie Sections
Long flat stretches through central Minnesota farmland offering open sky and spring wildflowers
Albany Trail Bridge
Mid-race landmark at the pedestrian bridge near Albany with views of the valley and town
Avon Trailhead & Community Park
Aid station area near Avon where runners pass through a small-town park and picnic area
St. Joseph Historic Downtown
Approaching the finish, runners pass the brick storefronts and local businesses of St. Joseph
Lake Wobegon Trail State Park Interpretive Signs
Informational signs and historic railroad artifacts along the route highlighting the trail's rail-to-trail history
Holdingford, MI, United States
US
Based on nearby accommodations
- Must be 18 years or older on race day
- Must complete online registration and pay entry fee by the posted deadline
- All entrants must sign the race waiver and medical release
- Participants should be in adequate training and are strongly advised to obtain medical clearance if they have any medical conditions or are returning from injury
- Race bibs are non-transferable and ID may be required at packet pickup
- Participants must obey race officials, course marshals, and posted course rules
- Course cutoff is approximately 6.5 hours; runners not meeting intermediate cutoffs may be asked to stop or move to the course sweep
- Strollers, bicycles, wheeled devices, and pacers on bikes are not permitted on the course
- No pets allowed on the race course
- The race reserves the right to limit entries and to refuse or remove any entrant for safety or conduct reasons
- Photo ID (passport or national ID)
- Medical certificate/doctor's note (issued within 12 months)
- Proof of age (birth certificate or passport)
- Completed race registration form
- Signed liability waiver/assumption of risk
- Emergency contact information
- Proof of medical/health insurance (front page or insurance card)
- Online Registration
- Mail-in/Paper Entry
- Race Day/In-Person Registration
- Charity/Fundraising Entry
- Volunteer Exchange/Staff Entry
- Group/Team Registration
Cancellation & Refunds
Policy details
Full refund minus $10 processing fee if canceled 60 or more days before race
50% refund if canceled between 30 and 59 days before race
No refunds for cancellations within 30 days of race day
Bib transfers allowed up to 14 days before race for a $15 transfer fee with written request
Deferred entry to the 2027 event available up to 7 days before race for a $25 deferral fee
The Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon follows the crushed-limestone Lake Wobegon Trail through central Minnesota’s rolling farmland, lakes and forests, offering a predominantly flat, fast course with scenic rural views.
Chip timing is provided with official splits and there are staffed aid stations roughly every 2–3 miles offering water, electrolyte drink and gels; drop bags and pacers are typically available.
All finishers receive a technical race shirt and a finisher medal, and awards are presented to overall and 5-year age-group top finishers.
Race weekend usually includes pre-race packet pickup in Holdingford the day before and a limited post-race food area with local refreshments; parking near the start/finish is limited so organizers often run shuttle buses from overflow lots.
Runners are advised to register early (the marathon often reaches capacity), dress in layers for variable May weather, and note that strong spectators are concentrated near the start/finish and a few trail crossings due to the rural nature of the course.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
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