The Bismarck Marathon was my first marathon, which I participated in in 1999. What a delight! At the start of the race it was forty degrees with a light drizzle that turned into a refreshing rain for about twenty minutes. Everyone was so friendly - the participants, volunteers, and workers at the YMCA. I enjoyed the serenity running along the Missouri River and open fields. All participants received a medal at the end of the race and there was a pizza party at the YMCA afterward. Thanks Bismarck!

Greg Sturm from the local YMCA took over as race director for the first time this year. He did a fine job, but would like to improve the race if it's going to be worthwhile. Total runners for 2002 were down from past years, because it's got new competition from the Minot, ND marathon for 50-state runners. The Minot marathon suffers from unpredictable weather for North Dakota in April. But the Bismarck schedule suffers because it's held on Pow-Wow week, where thousands of Native Americans book every hotel room in the region months in advance.

So first recommendation, if you're going to run this race, book your room way in advance. Months, not weeks. But maybe Greg will take the hint and schedule it another week!

I picked up my packet at the Y the afternoon before and drove the course. It can be a little tricky with many street turns, but without crowds. The only markers were small white arrows painted on the roadbed. I missed a few on my drive, but the next day in the middle of the pack I came close only once to making a wrong turn. Driving this flat, fast, and very pretty course can be helpful, and it provides another opportunity to observe the communities and parks along the Missouri River.

The race starts at 7:30 a.m. which at the far west end of the time zone is almost dark in early September. Packet pickup onsite at 6:30 was a flashlight affair in a park with only one small, unlighted restroom at the park. And if you get there early bring mosquito repellent. The single-restroom-in-the-dark problem would be worse if there were more than 100 runners (plus another 100 or so for the half-marathon). But get in the potty line early. And bring water to the start if you are hydrating; there was no water at the start this year. It seemed like a real tailgate affair.

Once the run starts it's a real delight. Small crowd, friendly people from all over the U.S. doing their 50 state ND run. Water and Poweraide every 2 miles on the out and back course, with no crowding at the tables.

Oh, no chips here. If you are aiming for a PR, get in front or you'll lose the 15 seconds it takes for the whole pack to cross the start. That's a joke of sorts... a very small crowd.

Did I mention flat? Yes, very flat. Oh, well the last mile has a slight uphill grade which you don't notice on the way out. Everyone at the stops is very friendly, and the few families sitting at the end of farm driveways give good cheer.

The end of the race has more water and poweraide, but not much in the way of food as I remember. That was a disappointment, but keep in mind this race isn't supported by big sponsors, and they don't get much in the way of freebies.

However the YMCA, a mile away from the start/finish, provides shower facilities after the race and a very nice pizza party and awards ceremony. There were almost as many trophies as runners, it seemed. And everyone got a medal as well. It was a very nice get-together of runners from all over in the YMCA gym. The locals were very nice about making the out-of-towners feel welcome.

I drove 7 hours each way from the Twin Cities to run this as a training run for the Twin Cities Marathon, and it was worth it. Bismarck is a beautiful town and you get to see many of the nice parks along the river on the run.

I live in Bismarck and I have run the half-marathon (98) and the full this year (01). It is a very fast course and the weather is usually good for marathoning. I would like to see more spectators and fans-- I think the city could promote it much better. Also, more post race refreshments would be nice. A great course though, especially if you want to run a good time!

Ran in 2001. I enjoyed this race. Great course, relatively flat except for one small hill at the end. Definitely one of the fastest courses that I have ever seen. Relatively few runners but excellent hospitality and aid stations were well organized. My only recommendation is that it would have been nice to have some more refreshments and or fruit located at the end of the race.

I ran this in 2000. Weather was warm and windy. The course is flat with a small uphill at the end. Excellent organization and excellent aid stations.
The number of marathoners is small so you will most likely run a good part of this course alone.

I ran this in 2000. Great organization. Goodies include a shirt, medal and meal for $25. 132 runners in full and 100 in 1/2 in 2000. Weather can be a factor. It was 84F at start time with a 40-45 mph wind. Beautiful scenery along Missouri River. This Canuck enjoyed it!

(Run race in '98.) Fairly small race with a S/F in a riverside park. Start plagued by mosquitoes if weather stays warm. Flat river-bottom course, essentially an out-and-back, mostly on paved roads (small gravel portion nr. turnaround) including some commercial districts, parks, residential areas, and 'boonies.' Pay attention to course turns, as marshals and spectators are limited; it could be easy to run off course in some places when appx. 100-person field strings out. A half-marathon shares start line and time. Packet pickup at the local Y the day before (or at the start). Almost no finish-line goodies, but there is a noonish post-race party off site (which I did not attend). Reserve lodging fairly early, as race occurs the same weekend as a big local/regional event. Might provide a chance for a 3-hr female for an outright win, as winning female in 98 was appx. a 3:38. A Boston-qualifying course if one can handle running alone and without cheering.