Come RUN and have some FUN at the Bismarck Marathon! Introduced in 1981 by the Missouri Valley YMCA, the Bismarck Marathon is North Dakota’s longest-running marathon. The event features a full marathon, half marathon, relay, 10k, 5k, and free community day with races for the kids and more. The race …
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Come RUN and have some FUN at the Bismarck Marathon!
Introduced in 1981 by the Missouri Valley YMCA, the Bismarck Marathon is North Dakota’s longest-running marathon. The event features a full marathon, half marathon, relay, 10k, 5k, and free community day with races for the kids and more. The race attracts runners from across the country and has become a highlight of the local running community.
With breathtaking scenery along the out-and-back course that parallels the Missouri River, runners are treated to a fast, flat course that promises experienced runners new PR opportunities and novices a great race experience. What’s more, the course is USATF certified, meaning marathoners hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon may do so here.
The Bismarck Marathon is a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation run by a volunteer board of running enthusiasts. All proceeds from the Bismarck Marathon go back to support local non-profits that support health and wellness initiatives in our city and across our state.
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Lovely city run through parks
Much of the course was through parks which was appreciated both for the lovely scenery and the shade from the trees. The course was fairly easy (a nice treat after … MORE
Much of the course was through parks which was appreciated both for the lovely scenery and the shade from the trees. The course was fairly easy (a nice treat after doubling with the Mt Rushmore Half the day prior… which was… NOT easy). I loved the hoodie in my swag bag…. I have sooo many running shirts and love hoodies in general so this was a great change up.
Unfortunately, it really didn’t seem like there were enough porta-potties for the size of the race, either at the start or on the course. While I faired ok in that department, the lines were still super long when the race started.
Absolutely wonderful experience!
Absolutely loved this race and the folks of Bismarck. I’m on my 50 states journey and had never been to North Dakota before, and I’m so glad I chose Bismarck. … MORE
Absolutely loved this race and the folks of Bismarck. I’m on my 50 states journey and had never been to North Dakota before, and I’m so glad I chose Bismarck.
Pre-race: easy packet pickup and amazing swag – super comfy hoodie and beanie and no wasted junk at packet pickup!
Probably the most endearing highlight – the race announcer was at packet pickup and wanted to meet out of staters and ask some interview questions, which I heard him share as I crossed the finish line! Super sweet and thoughtful, he shared the reason for this was “for people coming out of state who don’t know anyone, to know they are cared about here” – this alone sealed the deal for me of this being a race I’d recommend to anyone!
Race: Nice small race, no overcrowding. Perfect weather, crisp air. Beautiful scenery across the Missouri River and we spent quite a bit of the race on a beautiful paved trail. The only drawback was the last 5k was pretty full of incline. The rest of the race was fast and flat though.
Post-race: had the basics of anything you need AND they had free stretching from PT’s! Got a quality stretch and it wasn’t a super long wait.
Love to run when start of race is 40 tem
Bismark is the capital but it is a small town. Did the race so we could visit the national park. The communication on this race was great and the swag … MORE
Bismark is the capital but it is a small town. Did the race so we could visit the national park. The communication on this race was great and the swag was what I run for and it rated a five. There was plenty of parking at the start of the race for free, the race started on time, it was well marked, and they had lots of water and Gatorade stations that were well manned by the community. I appreciated the enthusiasm of the girls swim and dive teams. The water stations were basically the only spectators we saw on the course. It was well marked. The course was nothing special . Liked running across Missouri River and through the grassland but I thought we might have seen some downtown. . Maybe that was for the marathon . There was plenty of room so I didn’t have to do any weaving, the course was well marked. My only suggestion is that could have had a 2:45 timer as given you had lots of time to finish this would have been helpful
Great race
It’s obvious that there’s a lot of passion going into this race. It’s well run with tons of cheerful volunteers. I was a pacer and the markers and distances were … MORE
It’s obvious that there’s a lot of passion going into this race. It’s well run with tons of cheerful volunteers. I was a pacer and the markers and distances were all right on. Lots of aid stations and support along the way. We started and finished at the state capital. We ran across the Missouri River and looped back over a different bridge. Then we ran through beautiful parks and finally through downtown and back up the hill to the capital. The race was mostly flat but there were small rollers. It starts down hill and finishes uphill because of the location of the capital. I really enjoyed this race.
Pretty prairie course
They changed the course this year to start and end at the State Capitol, which was a nice setting. The course went over the Missouri River and through city trails … MORE
They changed the course this year to start and end at the State Capitol, which was a nice setting. The course went over the Missouri River and through city trails among the trees, as well as through some neighborhoods and downtown. There were so many water stations, which was much appreciated!
Great hospitality
What a wonderful race! I’ve never seen so many aid stations! The course really was beautiful and had helpful people. Unfortunately there was a mess up with results which led … MORE
What a wonderful race! I’ve never seen so many aid stations! The course really was beautiful and had helpful people. Unfortunately there was a mess up with results which led me going from third in my age group, receiving the awesome award only to have results change on me. I still got the award and so did the other people and the heartbreak was made a little easier by the very kind and understanding race directors. Overall great event!
Perfect Small Town | PR Race
~ 200 participants but very well organized. The race routes could have been better markings ... but full marks to the organizers. They really did an awesome job with the … MORE
~ 200 participants but very well organized. The race routes could have been better markings … but full marks to the organizers. They really did an awesome job with the organization and logistics. It was a torrential downpour this year but the race still went on very smooth…
Glad to get a sub 530
This race was celebrating their 40Th Anniversary and it showed they know a thing or two about marathons. This marathon totally utilizes their parks and trails to make this happen. … MORE
This race was celebrating their 40Th Anniversary and it showed they know a thing or two about marathons. This marathon totally utilizes their parks and trails to make this happen. The water/aid stations are plentiful and great volunteers.
Packet pick up was at Scheels and you walked thru store to simply get your bag (backpack) with race shirt and bib. No vendors.
Beer at the end and food to purchase. If you feel up to it, you could participate in a pub crawl with other runners
Very nice and professional race
Everything about the race was nice except for the puddles we had to run through at the beginning of the race - it had rained the night before - and … MORE
Everything about the race was nice except for the puddles we had to run through at the beginning of the race – it had rained the night before – and my shoes and socks were wet for the entire race. This is a very small race (around 550 – 600 half and full marathoners), but the production was a professional as in many bigger races. No expo to speak of and almost nothing at the finish line, but the race was flat and scenic. Swag was nice.
Nice, small town race
I had a really good time in Bismarck. I loved touring the state house and exploring the city. The marathon was fun and scenic. At one point, I almost took … MORE
I had a really good time in Bismarck. I loved touring the state house and exploring the city. The marathon was fun and scenic. At one point, I almost took a wrong turn because it wasn’t clear which was the race went. Overall, I was pleased with my then-PR at this race.