Grand Forks Running Spring Thaw
Grand Forks, ND
- Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay, 10K, 5K, Kids Run
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Formerly the Grand Forks Marathon, the Grand Forks Running Spring Thaw event offers it all – 1/2 Marathon, Relay, 10K, 5K, a Family Fun Run and the Furry Scurry (formerly known as the Hog Dog Jog). Test yourself with the Grand Forks Challenge by completing the 5K on Friday night … MORE
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Awesome Race
This was my first time doing this race and everything about it was awesome. The course was superbly marked, great volunteers, excellent swag, and the whole city was super friendly. MORE
This was my first time doing this race and everything about it was awesome. The course was superbly marked, great volunteers, excellent swag, and the whole city was super friendly.
Fun race!
Have ran this race a few times now. Beautiful course, very well organized, great swag, fantastic spectator support, and usually good weather/time of year! MORE
Have ran this race a few times now. Beautiful course, very well organized, great swag, fantastic spectator support, and usually good weather/time of year!
Great course, lots of smiles
Easy, fun race with many volunteers along the course. Both the 5k and the 10k enjoyable. I’d do the challenge again. (I didn’t notice any extra swag for doing a … MORE
Easy, fun race with many volunteers along the course. Both the 5k and the 10k enjoyable. I’d do the challenge again. (I didn’t notice any extra swag for doing a challenge though.
I pushed myself.
I ran my pr in the 5k friday night 21:38 im 55 yrs old. Sat morning i ran the half 1:50. About 1:15 off my best time ever. Ive ran … MORE
I ran my pr in the 5k friday night 21:38 im 55 yrs old. Sat morning i ran the half 1:50. About 1:15 off my best time ever. Ive ran 3 halves. The course is flat and fast. Ill do better. I just started running 10mo. Ago
One of the BEST in Northern Midwest
Grand Forks Marathon is easily in the ranks of my top five favorite Full Marathons ever! Finding lodging is a breeze and I took a shuttle to the race area, … MORE
Grand Forks Marathon is easily in the ranks of my top five favorite Full Marathons ever! Finding lodging is a breeze and I took a shuttle to the race area, which saved any parking hassles. The expo itself had some treats there and it was fast process to get in & out (on Friday afternoon). I stayed warm before the race in the Camp Hog big white tent, which was heated. In past years, I have hung out in the ICON building before the race which was also a great place to stay warm.
I collect the Fitsoks that Grand Forks Marathon has each year – very nice quality socks – and the drink glasses are great collectibles too 🙂 I also really like the black marathon shirts this year!
There were no massive lineups for porta potties by Camp Hog. Bag drop was a cinch and then I headed to the line-up area. Pacers were well marked and very personable. We had two pacers (swapped after mile 14) and both of them were fantastic. The aid stations were well laid out, easy to get what you needed gels/water/sports drink and they were frequent enough.
The course is ideal for PRs! There are a few “hills” up and down the dike and maybe a bridge or two but it’s nothing to worry about. It’s mostly flat and fast for those trying to PR and/or BQ. I had an excellent group to run with the entire way. There were enough spectators and nice scenery to keep things interesting throughout the course. The finish line final stretch was lined with people, which was awesome! I love that they didn’t make us wind around the parking lot – it was a turn and then a straight sprint to the finish line!
Fun & flat!
Great swag, including long sleeve technical shirt, finisher's t-shirt, socks & pint glass! Great course along Greenway near Red River of the North; marathon crosses into Minnesota. MORE
Great swag, including long sleeve technical shirt, finisher’s t-shirt, socks & pint glass! Great course along Greenway near Red River of the North; marathon crosses into Minnesota.
Great race for first timer
This was my first marathon and the smaller size made it less intimidating. you aren't shoulder to shoulder the whole way. You can find a pack to hang with or … MORE
This was my first marathon and the smaller size made it less intimidating. you aren’t shoulder to shoulder the whole way. You can find a pack to hang with or just get some space and cruise. the volunteers and law enforcement that helped were friendly and encouraging the entire run. The route is easy to navigate and handle.
Great race!
Good amount of water stops. Easy flat course. The race is through the prettier parts of Grand Forks and the riverfront is lovely. Can be confusing with so many different … MORE
Good amount of water stops. Easy flat course. The race is through the prettier parts of Grand Forks and the riverfront is lovely. Can be confusing with so many different mile markers for different races.
Great for a beginner 1/2 Marathoner!
This is a great half marathon if you are on the fence about trying one. Pretty much flat 100% of the way. Though the 1/2 Marathon and the 10K shared … MORE
This is a great half marathon if you are on the fence about trying one. Pretty much flat 100% of the way. Though the 1/2 Marathon and the 10K shared some of the same path, it was not only well marked, but volunteers were pointing out the direction you needed to go. Going through residential areas, families were out cheering everyone on. Well organized!
Solid race
I have run a number of smaller marathons over the years. This easily one of the most organized and well planned of all of them. Plenty of water stations and … MORE
I have run a number of smaller marathons over the years. This easily one of the most organized and well planned of all of them. Plenty of water stations and helpful people. Great job!
I love fall running
This race is a favorite! I love the cooler temps of the fall and this race was set up for running conditions! The pacer was the same for the group … MORE
This race is a favorite! I love the cooler temps of the fall and this race was set up for running conditions! The pacer was the same for the group I ran with the past 2 yrs. She was awesome and made the miles fly by!
Worth a repeat
Second time running this race and it has only gotten better since the last time I ran in 2016. Tons of volunteers along the course, all cheering you on as … MORE
Second time running this race and it has only gotten better since the last time I ran in 2016. Tons of volunteers along the course, all cheering you on as well as many homeowners. Fun and flat, definitely a course you can PR on!
A beautiful fall run!
I ran the 5K and 10K challenge to raise money for brain aneurism awareness and it was such a great route. I loved all the trees and seeing people cheer … MORE
I ran the 5K and 10K challenge to raise money for brain aneurism awareness and it was such a great route. I loved all the trees and seeing people cheer us on. I would definitely do this race again!
Grand Forks will not disappoint!
I went into this race with an open mind not knowing what to expect being my first time in North Dakota. It did not disappoint well organized race that didn’t … MORE
I went into this race with an open mind not knowing what to expect being my first time in North Dakota. It did not disappoint well organized race that didn’t cut corners. The course is well marked flat and fast come ready to race and get a PR. The locals were awesome along the route. The best part lead bike very supportive . Do the Wild Hog Marathon you won’t be disappointed.
Great race!
Swag bag and post run snacks are the best of any race I’ve participated in. Very well marked course with tons of encouraging volunteers to help you along the way. … MORE
Swag bag and post run snacks are the best of any race I’ve participated in. Very well marked course with tons of encouraging volunteers to help you along the way.
Awesome Half Marathon
I've run thousands of races over 40 plus years and this race is easily a top 10. It was extremely well organized, there was a volunteer at every possible spot … MORE
I’ve run thousands of races over 40 plus years and this race is easily a top 10. It was extremely well organized, there was a volunteer at every possible spot where we could make a wrong turn. Great expo, post race party. Everyone was extremely helpful and friendly. Weather was perfect for running, we had a great time.
Hometown Race
I took the bus from the Mall to the Race, and I highly recommend it. There aren't as many people cheering you on during this race, but the course is … MORE
I took the bus from the Mall to the Race, and I highly recommend it. There aren’t as many people cheering you on during this race, but the course is tree-lined and fun. Super flat, with no real hills of any type. Finish medal is nice quality, I loved the swag, and the free beer after in the tent at the wild hog is great.
Good midwest race
There isn't a lot of support on the sidelines as compared to other big races. But still a lot of run. Great swag. The relay race is fun too. I … MORE
There isn’t a lot of support on the sidelines as compared to other big races. But still a lot of run. Great swag. The relay race is fun too. I do wish the public was more involved and supportive. I just signed up for my first 10k for this race. Excited and nervous!
Awesome "Small-Town" Race, Best Swag!
This was my second year running the Wild Hog Half Marathon and I have been impressed both years. Attending the Wild Hog Marathon will likely a yearly tradition for my … MORE
This was my second year running the Wild Hog Half Marathon and I have been impressed both years. Attending the Wild Hog Marathon will likely a yearly tradition for my family. Even better, they are having a FULL marathon for the first time in 2016!
Expo: The atmosphere is “small-town”, compared to the Fargo or Twin Cities Marathons, which I really appreciated. Picking up my number and race swag was a very quick and smooth process and the expo did have a few goodies to pick up.
Race Swag: The BEST! In both 2014 and 2015, the race swag included a pair of Fitsocks with “Wild Hog” on the top band, a beverage glass, and high quality finisher’s shirt. This year’s shirts were grey zip-up long sleeve shirts with thumb holes in the sleeves. The race medal was a cut-out of the Wild Hog head – nice medal and unique design.
Course: Flat, flat, flat. The course covers mainly residential and park ground, which on a sunny Fall day was beautiful to me! I highly recommend their full marathon if you are looking for a BQ! That should be a great fast course for qualifying.
Aid Station: Plenty of aid stations along the course that offered water, sports drinks and GUs at some of them.