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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: 391 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
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L. P. from Chicago area
(5/10/2009)
"OUTSTANDING!!!" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I will do everything I can to help promote this incredible marathon. What made it so special? Considering what this community has been through the last 7 weeks, I couldn't believe how they get behind this event. You can tell that they take great pride in the event. It seemed like almost everyone in Fargo either ran or supported all of the races. I was so impressed! The expo by Scheel's was great; it had something for all ages and tastes. The rerouted course (due to the flood) was fine. The spirit of the community and their pride showed the entire race by being out there and having fun. It is just the right size (even though it has grown substantially each year). Finishing in the Dome was very cool. I wouldn't change a thing! I would give all 3 ratings 20 stars if I could. I did the half this year, and I can't wait to come back and do the full next year! | |
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S. D. from Westchester, New York
(5/10/2009)
"Must go to fargo" (about: 2009)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As I continue to run marathons around this country, I find many that I like and some that I don't. But rarely do I find such a jewel as this marathon. An entire community gets behind this race. It never surprises me how often I go somewhere for a marathon and nobody knows the first thing about the race. In Fargo, everyone knows about and cares about the race. Everyone expresses an interest in the race and asks you how you did and wishes you good luck before the race. It is truly a compliment to the race and the community how hard everyone tries to make the race a success and make you feel welcome. The race route is perfect, showing all of the best of the community and downtown. The race has everything you can ask for in a race without being overly large so that you feel lost. It combines the amenities of a large race with the personal feel of a small race. The fact that running magazines have not taken notice of this race is almost a crime. I have run over 60 marathons and can truly say that this is one of the best. Fargo may not be the most charming community but it is a pleasant area with uniformly pleasant, hospitable people. A nicer, more community-oriented area I have yet to find. If you overlook the weather, this is truly a remarkably nice area and a great community. Considering what the local people went through fighting the floods, it amazed me how they where still willing to come out in such large numbers to help keep this race going strong. I want to thank the community of Fargo for restoring my faith in the community spirit of America. Keep up the good work and hopefully you will receive the recognition that you deserve. | |
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P. I. from mpls/st. paul area
(5/10/2009)
"Start and finish need some changes" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Fargo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Let me just begin by saying that this is my favorite marathon. The spectators and volunteers are the best! My only complaints are that the start was way too congested and chaotic, and there are not enough staff on hand at the finish. You need more staff at the finish to check the runners' status, provide direction, and offer help (if needed). At other marathons, they have numerous staff at the finish to ask runners how they are doing and direct them to the medics. I finished and couldn't find any one with a staff shirt on until walking all the way out of the runners finish area. Then I had to walk all the way back to get some treatment because I didn't see the medics banner when I finished. I didn't see it because I was ill and staggering. These are the only two things I'd improve. I have much respect and admiration for the people of Fargo for all they have gone through this year. | |
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A. U. from Audubon, Minnesota
(5/10/2009)
"Marathon growing larger, more problems" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Fargo Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is the 4th year that I have run the 5K in the Fargo Marathon. Last year, it was hard running the 5K with all of the walkers, and this year was worse. People stop to tie their shoes in the middle of the street and take pictures. I feel that the 5K should be started separately from the people who want to walk only. The walkers are out for the community event, which is great, but not for the same reason as someone who trains to run a good 5K. We also had problems leaving the FargoDome both Friday and Saturday. It was not good to block the exits with the running course. Our family members with us had to go call a cab to pick them up at the Stop and Go in order to get them back to their hotel to check out by noon. We sat in our car over an hour waiting to exit the FargoDome parking lot. It was not a good situation. | |
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Shelly C. from Minneapolis
(5/10/2009)
"Fargo - my favorite marathon!" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Fargo Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This is my second Fargo Marathon, and it's by far my favorite marathon. I didn't know what to expect with the revised course, especially you essentially run the same leg four times. It wasn't too bad. It made it easier for spectators - my family saw me five times. I was also concerned because the new course meant runners had to go head-to-head at many points during the race, but this wasn't a problem either. It was very motivating to see the elite runners go by so many times. And, the race is true to its word - it is flat, fast and friendly. The whole town came out it seemed, despite having struggled with the recent flood. My only complaints are what others have said before. To the race director - please, please consider starting the marathon a half-hour earlier than the half-marathon. I lined up much farther up than my predicted finish time due to knowing how much this was a problem last year, and I STILL dodged slower halfers for the first few miles. With a 5:1 ratio of half to full marathoners (and many of the halfers being slower runners), they should get this figured out - it can be quite dangerous. My only other complaint is the crappy food at the end: Banana halves, pretzel sticks and bagel quarters. This year they also had soup, but I have been to 5Ks that have a better spread. I mean, times are tough, but couldn't you add some orange slices and chocolate milk? Cookies? There was nothing sweet. And, I don't know if there were finisher photos, but the whole finish area seemed a bit confusing - couldn't find the water, couldn't find the bag drop. Showers were nice though, and the Dome finish is AWESOME! I'll be back! | |
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E. B. from Minneapolis, MN
(6/28/2008)
"A Definite "Must Do" Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Fargo Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 From the expo to the community support, this marathon is amazing. If you love fans, flat terrain, and the freedom to listen to your iPod, then this is a must-do for you. All of the race volunteers are genuinely happy to be there and they seem to go out of their way to make sure you have a good time. I have done many marathons, including Disney World, Twin Cities, and Grandma's, and I can honestly say that the fans and volunteers in Fargo are the best. Also, finishing in the Fargo Dome and seeing yourself on the big screen is indescribable. Organization gets a 4 only because they took away the massages afterward, which caused the dome to empty too soon after the marathon. | |
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D. J. from Twin Cities
(5/29/2008)
"Needs some tweaking" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Overall, this race was a good experience. My hotel was easy to book and I could walk to the expo and the race start/finish. The spectators were excellent, and the organization did a very good job with the large increase in participants. The course itself isn't much to excite, but after driving around Fargo, I could see there aren't a whole lot of options. I also must include my opinion of headphones even though I could care less if people wear them or not. If race directors are going to take the rules seriously, then they need to disqualify everyone wearing headphones during the race. To do nothing to enforce the rules is like having no rules at all. If I was the USATF, I would not sanction this race as there were more people with headphones than without. | |
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N. B. from Kansas City, Missouri
(5/28/2008)
"Go Fargo and Go Fast" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Course: This is a fast marathon. I came off a torn hamstring and groin five weeks before this race and the course was mild enough that I did not have to cancel the run. If I had been a 100%, I know a PR would have been realistically attainable. Spectators: The crowds are really spectacular in their enthusiasm, which also helps make this marathon go by fast. Lots of businesses coordinated efforts to cheer on runners also. The town had several colleges and it was fun talking with and seeing so many folks that were doing their first 1/2 or full marathon. Their excitement was contagious! Organization: I never found myself lacking for water or GU - and the workers at the stations shouted out what they were holding without me asking. Thanks! I would run this again; but, it sure would be nice if they would do wave starts, or somehow reduce the size of the group that starts at one time. I ran for 4 minutes before I crossed the starting line. Then there was congestion for 2-3 miles before I could go the pace I wanted to. A lot of the runners want to do their best time - this is a PR course and a few changes would help clear up the initial congestion that hinders a PR. | |
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C. P. from Lincoln, NE
(5/28/2008)
"Thank you, Fargo" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 There are two things that make this event truly special: the community of Fargo and the Fargo Dome. Everything was top-notch. I loved that the people embrace this race, and in many cases thanked the runners for traveling to their town and participating in the run. I will definitely come back again. I've read a few times that people are upset with having to pay for a finisher's shirt. It's simple economics and I really don't think we can expect a race to give out more than one shirt. I personally had Scheel's stamp "2008 Finisher" on the logo on the shirt that was handed out at packet pickup. Perhaps in the future this marathon can do what others have done such as Twin Cities and only hand out one shirt at the finish line. Finally I will add that I appreciate races such as Fargo, Des Moines, Lincoln, etc. that do not enforce the USATF headphone ban rule. I realize why the rule was written but it has nothing to do with iPods or MP3 players. It is a rule that has quite frankly outgrown its usefulness when you consider the large number of recreational runners who use these devices. Hopefully the Fargo Marathon will follow the lead of the silent majority and continue NOT to enforce this ban. Thank you, Fargo. | |
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B. S. from Rochester, MN
(5/26/2008)
"Great race, great town, great fans" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Fargo Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a very well organized race (with one exception - see below) with friendliness, great support (thanks volunteers, police, and Dr. Greg in the medical area!) and a really fun atmosphere. I was amazed at how well the course flowed through the town, and how the whole town (plus Subway's Jared) came out to support the runners. My only complaint is how jammed up the start of the race is. University Ave. is NOT wide enough to support that many runners compacted together. Like others have said on this web page, the mix of 1/2 marathoners and marathoners in too narrow a space led to a great deal of congestion for the first 3 miles. My wife got wiped out by a 1/2 marathoner (jerk) and wound up getting injured in the process. This is an excellent race, but my advice would be to expect the first few miles to be slow or dangerous. A note to race organizers: Start the 1/2 marathon 30 minutes later... it will be better for everyone! |
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