Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon

The Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon is a two-day running weekend in northern Minnesota, centered on Lake Bemidji and held in October. It offers runners several distances instead of a single headline race: Friday features a 5K, 10K run/walk, and short kids runs, while Saturday includes the marathon, half marathon, 26K Lake Loop, and B-Unified 2K. The full marathon began near the Sanford Center in recent coverage, and the event has taken place since 2013. The route encircles Lake Bemidji and passes through Lake Bemidji State Park and Bemidji State University, giving the race a connection to the town rather than being on a closed-off out-and-back road. It attracts dedicated local and regional runners alongside families and shorter-distance participants; one recent full marathon saw a returning women's winner and a men's winner in his marathon debut. Registration must be completed in advance, with no same-day signup, and every participant receives a shirt, medal, and a small beer from Bemidji Brewing downtown.