The Nebraska State Fair Marathon was the 289th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 344th largest in 2022.
This year 14.8% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 16.7% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Nebraska State Fair Marathon the 83rd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 84th highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 99.71 ranks it as the 64th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest course in Nebraska.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are above the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Nebraska State Fair Marathon a PR Score of 96.70. This PR Score ranks it as the 355th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 4th fastest in Nebraska.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Nebraska State Fair Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 1872 feet (570m) Min Elevation: 1826 feet (556m)
Hotel & VRBO Accommodations for the Nebraska State Fair Marathon
View available accomodations around the Nebraska State Fair Marathon Finish Line and Course. Book your Reservation now before the best places are sold out.
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How Fast Can You Go?
If you ran the Nebraska State Fair Marathon in 4:20:00, what would your time in other marathons be?
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Wer's review of 2023 Nebraska State Fair Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
The course is flat. Very flat. Really possible for a fast race weather permitting. It's also very small- fewer than 100 full marathon runners, so once the half splits off- not a lot of people to chase or draft off. Lots of course support though, both from organizers and neighborhood good doers.
Race Tips
There is no expo. If you need socks or Gu or whatever, head to Walmart. The second half of the course is a long loop mostly out and back, so I got to see the leaders (90 minutes in front of me). That was cool.
Lots of parking at the state fair grounds. Grand Island is a bigger city than I thought with lots of hotels and restaurants and a pretty downtown with a couple micro breweries.
DLIB's review of 2015 Nebraska State Fair Marathon.
5 /
5 Stars
Review
Course is absolutely flat. Not enough port-o-pots on the course, some country roads, all paved, most of the race is within the city, so groups of people to cheer you on.
Race Tips
No pacers at this race, you're on your own unless you find a runner running at the same speed you run. I never count on that, I run my own race, small runner total, less than 1000. Only had 2 locations where the directions weren't clear on which way to go, but was corrected immediately when I started going the wrong way.
Book early for closest hotels, no shuttles, I walked about 8 blocks, race starts and finishes at the fair grounds. Parking at the fair grounds for the runners, I walked as my husband needed the car to come later. The walk is nice, lots of lights on the street, it also gave me a chance to warm up the legs, and time to calm down the nerves. Nice place to eat is called Pam's it reminds me of good ol' fashion down to earth food, like what you would get at home or at a truck stop, if you have ever eaten at a truck stop. Arrive al least 30-45 min. ahead of the race as there is only 1 building open with bathrooms and a place to stay inside to stay warm. Race starts at 6:30 AM Was my 1st time running this race, going back in 2016 to try and qualify for Boston.
