Event Details
Everything You Need. All in One Place.
Race weekend should be exciting, not stressful. That's why we've gathered all the important information in one easy-to-navigate guide. From packet pickup and parking to shuttles, aid stations, race day schedules, and post-race celebrations, you'll find everything you need to arrive prepared and ready to make the most of your Essentia Health Fargo Marathon. Let's get you to the starting line with confidence.
Expo
The Essentia Health Fargo Marathon features the two-day Expo prior to the race, which all participants must visit in order to pick up their race packets. Free and open to the public, this expo features the latest in running technologies, fitness apparel, health & nutrition information and interactive displays. Stay tuned for exciting updates regarding vendor lists and more!
All runners must visit the expo to pick up their race number, gear bag and race shirts/hoodies.
Dates:
May 20th: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
May 21st: 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Location:
FARGODOME
1800 N. University Dr.
Fargo, ND 58102
*The Expo entrance is through the main doors on the east side of the FARGODOME.
Packet pick-up will NOT be available on race morning, Saturday, May 22nd.
If you cannot pick up your race packet before Expo closes on Friday evening, there are two options for you:
First, Have another person pick up your packet for you. They just need to have your confirmation email.
The second option is to purchase packet mailing to have your runner’s kit shipped to you prior to race day. Packet mailing registration closes on May 9, 2027.
Interested in becoming a vendor at the expo? Contact us at [email protected].
Expo Parking
Parking at the FARGODOME will be available in Lot C, E, F, G. Access from 19th Ave or University Dr. Enter Expo from the main doors on the east side of the FARGODOME.
Please refer to the Expo Parking Map for specific details and access recommendations.
Packet Mailing
Save time on packet pick-up by adding on packet mailing at registration! Already registered? Don’t worry! You can add it to your Let's Do This registration by following these instructions.
The deadline to add packet mailing to your registration is May 2nd, 2027 at 11:59 PM CST. Please note, we are unable to mail out packets after the packet mailing deadline has passed.
Race Day Parking & Shuttles
Parking will be available at selected lots at the FARGODOME and NDSU on race day. Please refer to the Race Day Parking Map for specific details and access recommendations.
Shuttle Locations Map
Shuttle buses will depart from locations every 15 minutes starting from approximately 5:00 AM until 6:45 AM on Saturday morning.
Shuttle buses will also be taking runners back to these locations (leaving from the FARGODOME) on a regular basis from 10:30 AM until 2:30 PM on Saturday afternoon.
All runners with a bib number are allowed on the bus at no charge. Only runners with a bib may ride the bus – no extra passengers.
Shuttle Bus Pickup Points
West Acres Mall – Overflow lot SW JC Penny Parking Lot
Pacers
The Essentia Health Fargo Marathon is proud to offer pacers for both the marathon and half marathon distances to help our runners meet their goals! Need someone to help you make sure you don't start off too fast or too slow? Well, we have a pace team for you!
The Fargo Marathon will offer pace groups for the following time goals for the full marathon: 3:00, 3:10, 3:20, 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 3:55, 4:00, 4:05, 4:10, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30, and 6:00.
We will also offer pacers for the half marathon for the following times: 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, and 3:00.
Gear Check
Gear check will be available for the 5K on Friday and the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K on Saturday as a convenient option to leave your gear in a safe secure location at the start/finish line.
- Friday Gear Check will close at 8:00 PM
- Saturday Gear Check will close at 2:30 PM
* All bags must be picked up by this time.
Please note: Fargo Marathon is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We CANNOT accept any backpacks, duffle bags, tote bags, etc. at Gear Check. Please do not leave your bag unattended or it will be removed.
Aid Stations & Nutrition
Your experience as a runner is so important to us, and part of that experience includes an adequate number of Aid Stations (Water & Electrolytes). The full and half marathon courses in Fargo have aid stops located approximately every two miles.
All Aid Stations will have water and portable toilets.
Gatorade will be provided at the following locations:
- Marathon - Miles 5, 9, 11.5, 13.5, 16.5, and 22
- Half Marathon - Miles 4.5, and 9
GU Energy Gels will be provided at the following locations:
- Marathon - Miles 13.5 and 22
- Half Marathon - Mile 9
Medical Supplies and Drop Out locations will be available at the following locations:
- Marathon - Miles 7.5, 13, 20.5, and 24.5
- Half Marathon - Miles 7.5 and 11.5
Event Alert System
A color-coded Event Alert System (EAS) will communicate the status of course conditions to participants leading up to and on race day. The levels range from Low (green) to Moderate (yellow) to High (red) to Extreme (black) based primarily on the weather, as well as other conditions.
Email and website communication during race week will inform participants of the current Event Alert System status and provide preparation tips based on advance weather forecasts.
Updates will be made at the participant packet pick-up area and public address announcements.
On race day, the current Event Alert System status will be communicated via public address announcements and color-coded signs/flags at the start and finish areas, and along the course at aid station locations and locations around the stadium.
All participants should familiarize themselves with the Event Alert System prior to the race, remain alert for directions from race officials and announcers and take precautions to prepare properly for varying weather conditions on race day.
Elite Runners
Fast deserves first-class treatment. If you’ve posted an exceptional marathon or half marathon finish time within the past two years, you may qualify for our Elite Runner Program, designed to give top competitors the race-day experience they’ve earned.
Elite runners enjoy access to a dedicated Elite Runner Corral at the very front of the start line, ensuring a clean, unobstructed launch and the best possible conditions to chase a PR. Even better—qualified athletes receive a complimentary entry to this year’s race as our way of recognizing your hard-earned performance.
To apply for a fully comped entry as an elite athlete, please click the apply today button below to submit your application!
Male Elite Runner Corral Qualifying Times
MARATHON - 2:27
HALF MARATHON - 1:11
Female Elite Runner Corral Qualifying Times
MARATHON – 2:59
HALF MARATHON – 1:25
Standards for both the marathon and half marathon must have been run within 18 months of the race to qualify. Athletes applying for elite complimentary entry will not be included in the Age Group results or awards. They will be categorized in the overall Elite results only.
Applications must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the event. Late entries will not be accommodated. An elite complimentary entry is non-transferable and only applies to the Half Marathon and Marathon distances. Other distances do not qualify.
Awards
Overall Awards
Overall awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the Marathon, Half Marathon 10K and 5K. Winners will be announced at the Post Race Party at the DJ Stage and will receive an exclusive award onsite. Overall winners will also receive the below prize pack: Half Marathon & Marathon Overall:- 1st Place
- $500 + Exclusive award onsite + free entry into next year’s event
- 2nd Place
- $250 + Exclusive award onsite + 75% off entry into next year’s event
- 3rd Place
- $125 + Exclusive award onsite + 50% off entry into next year’s event
- 1st Place
- $250 + Exclusive award onsite + free entry into next year’s event
- 2nd Place
- $150 + Exclusive award onsite + 75% off entry into next year’s event
- 3rd Place
- $100 + Exclusive award onsite + 50% off entry into next year’s event
Age Group Awards
Age group awards will be given to the top three male and female winners in the following age groups for the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+ (The 5K will also have its own division of 9 and under). Age group awards will be mailed out 4-6 weeks after the event.- 1st Place
- Exclusive award + free entry into next year’s event
- 2nd Place
- Exclusive award + 75% off entry into next year’s event
- 3rd Place
- Exclusive award + 50% off entry into next year’s event
Wheelchair Division
Awards will be presented to the top three male and female wheelchair finishers in each distance. See more information on participating in the Wheelchair Division.
