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Fargo Marathon

Fargo, ND
Saturday, May 22, 2027


  4.1 Stars from 9 Reviews

Course Description
The Fargo Marathon course is extremely flat and fast with only approximately 30 feet between the high and low points of the course.

The race starts and ends inside the Fargo Dome.

May Other Marathons in May Other Marathons in North Dakota Marathons near Fargo, ND



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Race Information

Race Dates

2027: Saturday, May 22, 2027
2026: Saturday, May 30, 2026

Course Information

Profile: Very Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: Yes

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 59°F (15°C)
Average High: 72°F (22°C)
Average Low: 47° F (8°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 99.44
Course Score: 99.44

Race Size

2026: 1,315 Finishers
2025: 953 Finishers
2024: 1,468 Finishers
2023: 965 Finishers
2022: 741 Finishers
2021: 838 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2026: 5.6%
2025: 10.3%
2024: 9.7%
2023: 8.4%
2022: 10.5%
2021: 7%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: Yes

Weather Averages for Last 12 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 70°F  (21°C)
Low: 47°F  (8°C)

Race Start Conditions

51°F  (11°C)
Humidity: 67%

Partially cloudy
SE 9 mph

PR Score

98.92

Course Score

99.7






Fargo Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Fargo Marathon was the 92nd largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 53rd largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2026, 5.6% of Fargo Marathon finishers have achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2025, 10.3% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Fargo Marathon ranked 137th among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and currently ranks 174th so far in 2026. In North Dakota, it ranked 1st in 2025 and 1st so far in 2026. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for comparing the Fargo Marathon with other Boston Marathon qualifying races.

The Fargo Marathon has a Course Score of 99.44, ranking it as the 120th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in North Dakota.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Fargo Marathon a PR Score of 99.44. The PR Score ranks the Fargo Marathon as the 82nd best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in North Dakota.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Fargo Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and North Dakota for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Fargo Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed120th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in North Dakota
Top 26% Nationally#1 of 2 in North Dakota
PR Potential82nd best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in North Dakota
Top 18% Nationally#1 of 2 in North Dakota
Boston Qualifier Rate137th highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 1st highest BQ percentage in North Dakota
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 29% Nationally#1 of 3 in North Dakota
Race Size92nd largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 1st largest marathon in North Dakota
Based on 2025 results
Top 16% Nationally#1 of 3 in North Dakota

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 914 feet (278m)
Min Elevation: 879 feet (267m)

Elevation Gain: 279 feet (85m)
Elevation Loss: 279 feet (85m)


Fargo

Course updated 05/12/2026




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Race Reviews


4.1
Based on 9 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Disappointed

Full Review:

Maybe I came during an off year, but I had higher hopes for this race. First, the race started adjacent to the dome in 2024. The pre-race area was lack luster. I didn't bring any warm clothing thinking I would be inside the dome. Second, the weather was much warmer this year. Usually that's not a problem as I live in a warmer, humid climate. However, I was blown away at the lack of water stops especially in the last 13 miles of the marathon. I think there were 4 small tables from mile 14-26. I consumed a lot of extra gels/salt tabs during the first half of the race, but I was dying of thirst around mile 18. Last, they changed the course at the 11th hour due to flooding. My watch said there was nearly 600 feet of elevation gain during the marathon. Still fairly flat, but over twice the normal elevation gain of the original course. There were some positives such as crowd support, volunteers, and swag. Overall, I won't return to this one.

Race Tips:

It's very sunny course. Bring a hat. Also consider carrying your own water.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Parking is literally steps away from the start line.
Reviewed by JM About 2024

Downgrade from past years

Full Review:

I have run this race (10K or half ) every year since 2006 and it was always awesome! But 2024 race was not the usual class-act it was known to be. Totally missed the start and finish in the Fargodome where we could stay warm Until the start. Packet pick-up at Concordia was a crowded nightmare. took forever to get a parking spot and got pushed through the expo like it was a cattle drive. No cool UnderArmour swag bag either - still an okay race but just not what it used to be. I Was hoping change-up was a one and done deal, but looks like 2025 is a repeat of last year.

The course itself has plenty of turns but is flat, and is a nice tour of Fargo-Moorhead. Volunteers, crowd support still top-notch!
Reviewed by EO About 2024

Extremely flat, lots of turns

Full Review:

This was an excellent race. The route is as flat as can be. The Fargodome is a nice venue, great for keeping warm before the race, loads of restrooms, and easy parking. Great volunteer presence throughout the race. Prepare for a lot of turns. One improvement could be tracking/results communication.

Race Tips:

Prepare for turns, focus on tangents to avoid excess mileage. The route couldn't be more flat, a couple underpasses are the only real inclines/declines to speak of.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Pay attention to race time, the 13.1 started at 7:30 and 26.2 at 7:45. This initially concerned me, but the routes diverge immediately so it's not an issue.
Reviewed by Jeff About 2023

George's review

Full Review:

Volunteers, crowd support and the community were awesome. It was really nice to be able to wait inside the Fargo Dome before the race. The sun came up at 5:30am so I do not know why the race director waited until 7:45am to start the marathon. The sun was high in the sky by the time we started so it was too hot for me by the time we finished. Course has a lot of turns. I was getting dizzy. The post race food was ice cream, donuts and chocolate milk. Nothing salty and no beer. There was supposed to be an after party later in the afternoon in another location. Why you would not have it immediately following the race at the finish line is beyond me. We made plans to celebrate somewhere else closer to our hotel which was lucky because apparently they cancelled the after party but did not announce it.

Race Tips:

Get ready for a lot of turns. The roads are really rough so you will have to watch your footing like a trail race not a road race. Race has a late start so plan to be running in the heat of the day.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Since the race starts inside, try going outside just before you line up to start and get your watch to connect to the satellites that way it will connect faster once the race starts and you leave the dome.
Reviewed by George About 2023

Full Review:

This was my first marathon and BQ after 20 years of shorter distances, and it was excellent. Extremely well run and organized. Starting and finishing indoors was unique and set a gold standard. The course is a bit twisty, but excellent, with good scenery, and race support.

Race Tips:

About as flat as you could expect, except for the short but steep underpass around mile 24/25. Coming into the finish you get a nice gentle downhill heading into the dome.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

The breweries in town are excellent, and everyone is extremely supportive of race participants. Plenty of parking an hour before race time right at the FargoDome. Bathrooms and showers inside the Dome are all open as well.
Reviewed by RS About 2017

Full Review:

This race was excellent. The organization, spectators, and scenery were all phenomenal. The indoor start and finish were well received, but get ready to walk those stairs to get off the stadium floor.

Race Tips:

The course was pancake flat. There were a lot of turns, so practice running the tangents and 180 turns. I would suggest even pacing. Your wont have to save for any last minute hills. This year's weather was perfect. High 40's with cloud cover and no wind.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Parking is a breeze and there were plenty of restaurant options. The town of Fargo was very accommodating. I stayed in West Fargo, which looked to be newly developed. Check out the Main Street for food and entertainment after. Plenty of choices.
Reviewed by JE About 2017

Fast But Not Flat to a Floridian

Full Review:

The race was well organized and a great course. Enjoyed it immensely. It is my current PR! Scenery was great. Really enjoyed starting and ending in the Fargo dome.

Race Tips:

Enjoyed crossing over into Minnesota and back. The elevation effected me some being from Florida's sea level. The end was a bit hillier than expected but not bad.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Since the half marathoners start after the full marathoners parking wasn't bad at all.
Reviewed by IWB About 2017

Full Review:

Very fun, organized marathon. Uses the Fargodome as the race hub which gives runners real bathrooms and a nice area for warm-up and post-race. Some traffic issues getting to expo on Friday afternoon (a big 5K is run then) and race morning too. Good fan support and lot's of music on the course. City really embraces the race. Best shirt ever, excellent bag and medal. Not scenic at all but pleasant course.

Race Tips:

A very flat course but there are a lot of turns and one crowded out and back on a bike path from mile 10-13. Still w/ cool temps a PR could easily be run here. Plenty of aid stops and all except the first with poweraid. Rather than group potties at the aid stations they spread out single ones along the course. This seemed to work great. I never saw long lines and if you needed one you never had more than a half a mile or so before you saw one. I've never seen this set up before but it really seemed to work well.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

I stayed @ Holiday Inn a few miles from Fargodome. They were prepared for the runners. There are shuttles on race morning which I didn't use but perhaps should've with all the traffic getting to Fargodome even @ 5:45. There's a Half and 10K that start before the marathon which causes the traffic issues I guess.
Reviewed by EMR About 2013

Full Review:

The best community support - lots of bands/music - and Great Indoor start and finish!

Race Tips:

Flat - fast course! Very convenient - easy parking and easy to navigate to the start/finish.

Travel/Logistics Tips:

Use the website to look for hotels and what to do in Fargo. They have a lodging tab that gives you tons of options!
Reviewed by SK About 2012