Hometown Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Sioux Falls
The Fargo Marathon is a road-race weekend in Fargo, North Dakota, featuring a marathon as its main event, alongside a half marathon, 10K, and 5K. It has taken place annually since 2005. Most editions begin and end within the Fargodome, providing a stadium-like start and finish rather than a typical street setting. The marathon course is USATF-qualified, allowing runners to use eligible finish times for Boston Marathon qualification. The route crosses Fargo and extends into Moorhead, Minnesota, the city across the Red River. The event expanded significantly from its initial nearly 3,000 participants to a weekend that now attracts over 20,000, with the half marathon frequently being one of the most popular races. Founder Mark Knutson continued as race director after the event was acquired by Rugged Races. Local elements have consistently been a part of the weekend: early races featured a pasta-and-lefse meal and music from local bands, along with charitable giving. Subsequent events included numerous bands performing various genres, from rock and dance to Native drumming and polka. An early course even incorporated 39 decorated buffalo sculptures along the marathon path.
