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☰
Fargo Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Fargo Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.4 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 388 [displaying comments 341 to 351]
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M. G. from Scottsdale, AZ
(5/21/2006)
 "In only its 2nd year, Fargo will be a Top-10 Race" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 You will be amazed by this new race; it will mushroom in popularity as soon as the word gets out. The folks in Fargo have put on THE friendliest race in the nation. The size is just right and there's room to grow. It is 'hometown' all the way but the organizers are no small-time operators. This is a race that doesn't do anything fancy; they just do it incredibly friendly and pretty much have thought of all the things required to stage a successful race. Entry fee is low, medal is terrific, the volunteers are second to no one, and the entire town knows there's a race going on. Media coverage is very good and citizens, time and time again, kept thanking us for coming to Fargo--incredible. Hotels rooms are very plentiful and the rates are very moderate. Shuttles are available for pre- and post-race pick-up. The expo is quaint but has all the souvenirs, etc. you'd want and there's a good mix of sports vendors. The course is marked well. There are volunteers at every turn--you can't go the wrong direction--and that's important because this course has dozens of turns and it shares a good part of it with the half-marathoners. The relay stations do not hinder the flow. There are adequate water/Gatorade stops and many, many local residents handing out fluids and candy along the way. The course itself is a mix of concrete, blacktop, sidewalks, etc. and you do have to watch your footing in many areas--the winter snow and salt has affected many roads there. A fair amount of the route is gentle downhill, too. There are some camber issues along the way, especially on the paths through the parks. Much of the path is tree-lined or canopied and you run through beautiful neighborhoods, parks, and along the Red River. There are a few bridges you go over or go underneath. Wind is the issue here and we had a lot of it this year--but some of it is mitigated because some of the course is protected somewhat--however, the wind batted us around for about 50% of the day. Race started right on time and there were many spectators all along the course--in fact, they had more here than in my hometown of Phoenix--this town really gets into the race. Local businesses were friendly and struck up conversation all the time about being there for the run. The airport was a breeze and there's hardly any traffic in the Fargo area. Renting a car (also cheap) helps as things are a bit spread out. Temps were good--in the 50s/70s. If you're looking for a very well- staged race, with an army of very friendly volunteers, and you want to avoid the big-city mobs, THIS is your race. I'm sure many pick this race for the 50-state club, but this race stands on its own. Thank you to all the volunteers, the staff, and the citizens of the Fargo-Moorhead area. | |
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K. F. from Bismarck, ND
(5/21/2006)
 "This is an up and coming 'MUST RUN' marathon" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is the second marathon I have run. Fargo should be PROUD and BOASTFUL of the incredible marathon it has produced. While the wind was strong, the volunteers and spectators were hardy. Runners were thanked along the route for running and coming to Fargo. The finish line is AWESOME for runners and spectators as finishers are viewed on Big Screens in the Fargo Dome and each finisher's name and hometown is announced allowing for spectators to be sure to see their runner finish. While a few more (ok, several more) port-a-potties could be used along the way, the overall event was a wonderful experience. I truly see the spectator support only increasing as word gets out about this fantastic marathon. And for those wanting to qualify for Boston...even the wind couldn't stop most from scoring their personal bests! | |
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S. S. from Myrtle Beach, SC
(5/21/2006)
 "Worth it!!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As a person trying to run a marathon in every state I was very excited to add Fargo, ND to my stash of metals. The course is flat, this is true but most of the time you are running on concrete and I almost felt that it was too flat (did I just write that?). Having said that it was very much worth running, the crowd support and volunteers were amazing and the organization was outstanding! The Fargonians are very proud of their state, as well they should be! This marathon is affordable, the people are outstanding and I met a lot of Fifty Staters along the way. The weather and the ending are the only other factors to consider. The first year it snowed, this year we headed into winds for most of the race (but as a nice turnaround we had the wind at our back for the last two miles). The fargodome was a great place to start and end and the bathrooms and food in the beginning and end were plentyful. I however felt very 'closed-in' at the finish and had to wait to clmib up the stairs and outside for fresh air (which I desperately needed!) for over ten minutes and I was extremely overheated from 'pushing' myself against the wind!! All in all though this is a wonderful race and a perfect opportunity to run North Dakota! | |
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J. H. from Sioux Falls, SD
(5/21/2006)
"Great Race!" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The 2nd Annual Fargo Marathon was great! The course was nice and the spectators were energetic. The 'Blue Zone' at mile 20 was a great pick me up. I will be back again. A great PR course. | |
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R. J. from USA
(5/21/2006)
"I felt the love!!" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 I must admit that I was skepitcal about flying across country to run this marathon, but I really wanted to collect North Dakota for my quest to complete a marathon in each state. The race was very well organized in general. The course was very fair. The weather good aside from the strong winds you had to run through during the course (my time was slower than expected because of this). The official support tables during the race had only gatorade and water (with only goo at mile 17) but the private citizens of fargo who lived on the race course set up their own 'support tables' in front of their houses offering gatorade, fruit, candy, even alcohol! So at practically every mile there was something offered to the runners. Some people actually camped out on their lawns playing music grilling steaks and cheering you on. I was touched by this because I've ran marathons that people didn't even acknowlege your presence. The expo was great! Package pickup organized. The finish was in the fargo dome where they announced where you came from and your age. After the race they had table and chairs set up so you can set down and eat and also mingle with other runners. The food was good. The honey bread was awesome! I remember when I finished this guy came up to me and told me you marathoners made our day today. This has been the most exciting thing that Fargo, North Dakota has seen all year. My only complaint was that I had to wait an hour for the shuttle buses to take me back to the hotel. I would recommend this marathon to anyone. | |
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Sloane Kusmack from Winnipeg, Manitoba
(5/21/2006)
"very enjoyable" (about: 2006)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my first time running in the Fargo marathon and I thought that the volunteers and support of the town were amazing and I loved the run through old downtown Fargo. It was graet! Also love the t-shirts and hospitality provided following the race. See you again Fargo! Sloane Kusmack & Darren Scherbain Winnipeg, MB, Canada | |
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Douglas Becker from fergus falls mn
(5/21/2006)
 "very well done" (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Fargo marathon was very well put together, the post race feed was very well done as was the race course and all the great people that turned out to help with the race. The only part of the marathon that needs to change is the expo, there was hardly anything to look at and the area was very small and tight. Mark Knutson did a very good job with this race. | |
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S. T. from Bloomington, MN
(5/20/2006)
"MUCH better than last year" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Fargo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Although the weather wasn't ideal, the spectators stayed until the end, even though it was cool and very windy. The shirts and medals are great, and it was very well organized. Well done! | |
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m. l. from St. Louis, MO U.S.A.
(5/20/2006)
"Worth the trip!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 2nd marathon -- the first in NYC last fall. Although I enjoyed NYC tremedously, this was a better running experience and MUCH better time for myself! I was amazed how smoothly packet pickup and race-day lineup was handled. The course was as advertised -- essentially flat. I also enjoyed the neighborhoods in both Fargo and Moorhead -- just one big block party, as I was surprised by the number of supporters along the route --for a metro area that is quite small. I wouldn't change much about the race -- except ordering less windy weather (miles 10-23 were run into a 20-25 mile per hour wind). Overall, this is a course I would run again if looking for a PR. I was able to lower my marathon time by 32 minutes (to sub 4 hours) despite the wind, so imagine what could happen with more ideal conditions on this course. Great job Fargo! | |
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B. T. from Appleton, WI
(5/11/2006)
"#12 was a great inaugural event." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I definitely agree with all the previous positive comments. Whenever possible I go to inaugural marathons for the excitement of the unknown. Of of the ones I've been to, this is the one I've talked about the most. The people were friendly, the event was well organized, the facilities were comfortable, the course support was great, the fans were enthusiastic, and the course is PR friendly (ok, maybe not for all of us). What else can I say? Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the pre-race snowfall was a unique addition. How did you manage it? With the enthusiasm shown by the volunteers, I can only imagine this event getting better. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. |
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