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Marathon Details - Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > MN > St. Joseph > Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon

Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon

St. Joseph, MN USA

May 10, 2025

http://www.lakewobegontrailmarathon.org

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Race Details

The course is flat, fast and pretty. The Lake Wobegon Trail is a 10 foot wide asphalt bike trail on a former railroad track. The trail is smooth and has no cant.

Contact Information

Name:	Jeff Janssen
Address:	10803 270th Street St. Cloud, MN 56301
Phone Number:	(320) 293-4495
Email:	Email the organizers

Race Organizer

The course is flat, fast, and pretty. (5/15/16)

George Bienusa

The certified(USATF #MN-08042-RR)course is flat, fast, and picturesque. It is run almost entirely on the Lake Wobegon Trail. The trail is primarily rural except as it passes through the four small towns along the route. In a post on the "A Prairie Home Companion" website, Garrison Keillor said this about the Lake Wobegon trail: "Ive biked the bike trail ... and love the ordinary beauty of farmland and meadow and the towns along it." The Lake Wobegon Trail is a 10 foot wide asphalt bike trail on a former railroad track. The trail is smooth and has no cant. There is very little elevation change at any time along the entire length of the course.

The race is put on by the St. Cloud River Runners. This is truly a race "by runners and for runners". Our goal is to provide you with the swag, food, and other fringe benefits equal to or better than most large races with the convenience, personal attention, friendliness, and value of a small race.

Runner Reviews (120)

Course 4.9

Organization 5.0

Spectators 4.4

Write a review

Number of comments: 120 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 12 > ]

J. K. from Fargo, ND (9/1/2024) "Great course" (about: 2024) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A wonderful experience. Course is mostly flat with only two areas that are slightly uphill. Only negative which is expected is that opportunities for portapotty usage on the course was difficult due to only one being available at the various spots. With the number of participants and being a small race, this makes sense logistically. Organizers and volunteers are great and it's easy for my family who were spectating to drive along to different spots to cheer!
P. K. from Miami, FL (9/1/2024) "Great marathon experience!" (about: 2024) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great course, atmosphere, aide stations, and post race food options. Community is great. Definitely recommend.
P. L. from Woodbury, MN US (5/7/2023) "Fabulous small marathon" (about: 2023) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Completed the 2023 LWTM. Was my 8th marathon and first Lake Wobegon. It instantly became my favorite. Wonderful quiet and scenic course, not at all crowded, and very well organized. I got PR and BQ. Can't recommend this marathon enough.
Bob Kovell from St. Cloud MN (5/6/2023) "Outstanding event put on by runners for runners" (about: 2023) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Extremely well organized. Put on by a local running club, The St. Cloud River Runners Small town marathon run on a paved trail, an old railroad bed, flat and fast. Great food at the finish and they have plenty, even for the later finishers.
B. P. from Twin Cities, MN (6/28/2022) "Fast, flat course, not crowded, well organized!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 So much to love about this event: great course (and certified), nice climate, 7am start time, very well organized (with shuttle busses), not crowded, waiting indoors before the race starts (thanks Holdingford High School!), lots of fun people, convenient and affordable lodging/hotels in the area. I've run Grandma's Marathon in Duluth a few times, and found that Lake Wobegon Marathon is much more enjoyable - looking forward to running it again next year!!
N. A. from Denver, Colorado (5/24/2022) "Beautiful, well run race!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Lake Wobegone Trail Marathon is a top notch event. As a Fifty Stater, I'm very glad it served as my Minnesota Marathon. I had originally planned to run the Brookings Marathon, but it was canceled because of severe weather that had gone through that area earlier in the week. The race director for Lake Wobegone opened the race up to several of us that had planned to run Brookings. He did so without any convincing. I'm very appreciative of that having traveled to the region to run a marathon. Picking up the packet/bib was super easy. Being dropped off for the buses that took us to the start line was easy. Once there we were greeted as we got off the bus by the town mayor! How cool is that? We gathered in a local high school with plenty of restrooms, room to stretch and get ready, and water as we waited for the start of the race. The course is a point to point on the Lake Wobegon Trail. It is a paved rail trail that goes through gorgeous rural areas with beautiful farms, lakes, small cities, and forests all around. It was a picture perfect day. The course is flat. There weren't a ton of spectators on the course, but enough to keep you motivated especially as we ran through some of the small towns. They were all super nice and very encouraging. The finish line was well attended and had a great assortment of food. I love smaller races like this. So, it was perfect in my book. I left town before picking up my age group award as I didn't expect to place. The race director sent it to me for free. He has been easy to communicate with along the way. I'm deeply appreciative to him and all of those who put on a great race. Thank you all! Run Lake Wobegone if you are looking for a great smaller race with top notch logistics along a stunningly beautiful course.
S. J. from Minnesota (5/17/2017) "Uniquely Minnesotan" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well done race in all aspects. Pre-race communications were excellent. A good value to the runners. Lovely course on a retired railroad bed. Mostly flat and tree lined in many sections. Wear sunscreen! If it's hot, consider carrying extra fluids. Pasta dinner Friday night was well done and plentiful. Signs along the trail gave advice reminiscent of Garrison Keillor. Race added signs with encouraging thoughts and humor. Numerous locations where spectators could reach the trail. Runs through a covered bridge early in the race.
C. S. from Polk city, IA (5/14/2017) "Couldn't ask for much more." (about: 2017) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time running this marathon and 4th overall. The organization and attention to details were spot on. The couse is very pretty and flat (only one minor rise at 9ish). Weather started around 50 with and got up in the 70s. The ice chips handed out at 21 were crucial. The pasta dinner and post race food were both great. Great race!
T. D. from Duluth, MN (5/23/2016) "Absolutely Fantastic Race all-around!" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race experience was wonderful. Shortly after registering, I received a welcome email from the race director (!!!) and that was just the start of how awesome this race was. Great course, plenty of motivating, well-stocked aid stations, helpful volunteers. This was a great experience for me and I will be back!!
G. L. from Savage, MN (5/20/2016) "Exceeded Expectations" (about: 2016) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I heard nothing but positive comments about the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon, and it still exceeded my expectations. I thought I would miss the 'big race' feel, but there was nothing missing in this race. It was well organized, with great volunteers, great spectators, and a great course!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 12 > ]



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J. K. from Fargo, ND (9/1/2024) "Great course" (about: 2024) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 A wonderful experience. Course is mostly flat with only two areas that are slightly uphill. Only negative which is expected is that opportunities for portapotty usage on the course was difficult due to only one being available at the various spots. With the number of participants and being a small race, this makes sense logistically. Organizers and volunteers are great and it's easy for my family who were spectating to drive along to different spots to cheer!
P. K. from Miami, FL (9/1/2024) "Great marathon experience!" (about: 2024) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great course, atmosphere, aide stations, and post race food options. Community is great. Definitely recommend.
P. L. from Woodbury, MN US (5/7/2023) "Fabulous small marathon" (about: 2023) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Completed the 2023 LWTM. Was my 8th marathon and first Lake Wobegon. It instantly became my favorite. Wonderful quiet and scenic course, not at all crowded, and very well organized. I got PR and BQ. Can't recommend this marathon enough.
Bob Kovell from St. Cloud MN (5/6/2023) "Outstanding event put on by runners for runners" (about: 2023) 50+ previous marathons \| 4-5 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Extremely well organized. Put on by a local running club, The St. Cloud River Runners Small town marathon run on a paved trail, an old railroad bed, flat and fast. Great food at the finish and they have plenty, even for the later finishers.
B. P. from Twin Cities, MN (6/28/2022) "Fast, flat course, not crowded, well organized!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 So much to love about this event: great course (and certified), nice climate, 7am start time, very well organized (with shuttle busses), not crowded, waiting indoors before the race starts (thanks Holdingford High School!), lots of fun people, convenient and affordable lodging/hotels in the area. I've run Grandma's Marathon in Duluth a few times, and found that Lake Wobegon Marathon is much more enjoyable - looking forward to running it again next year!!
N. A. from Denver, Colorado (5/24/2022) "Beautiful, well run race!" (about: 2022) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Lake Wobegone Trail Marathon is a top notch event. As a Fifty Stater, I'm very glad it served as my Minnesota Marathon. I had originally planned to run the Brookings Marathon, but it was canceled because of severe weather that had gone through that area earlier in the week. The race director for Lake Wobegone opened the race up to several of us that had planned to run Brookings. He did so without any convincing. I'm very appreciative of that having traveled to the region to run a marathon. Picking up the packet/bib was super easy. Being dropped off for the buses that took us to the start line was easy. Once there we were greeted as we got off the bus by the town mayor! How cool is that? We gathered in a local high school with plenty of restrooms, room to stretch and get ready, and water as we waited for the start of the race. The course is a point to point on the Lake Wobegon Trail. It is a paved rail trail that goes through gorgeous rural areas with beautiful farms, lakes, small cities, and forests all around. It was a picture perfect day. The course is flat. There weren't a ton of spectators on the course, but enough to keep you motivated especially as we ran through some of the small towns. They were all super nice and very encouraging. The finish line was well attended and had a great assortment of food. I love smaller races like this. So, it was perfect in my book. I left town before picking up my age group award as I didn't expect to place. The race director sent it to me for free. He has been easy to communicate with along the way. I'm deeply appreciative to him and all of those who put on a great race. Thank you all! Run Lake Wobegone if you are looking for a great smaller race with top notch logistics along a stunningly beautiful course.
S. J. from Minnesota (5/17/2017) "Uniquely Minnesotan" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Well done race in all aspects. Pre-race communications were excellent. A good value to the runners. Lovely course on a retired railroad bed. Mostly flat and tree lined in many sections. Wear sunscreen! If it's hot, consider carrying extra fluids. Pasta dinner Friday night was well done and plentiful. Signs along the trail gave advice reminiscent of Garrison Keillor. Race added signs with encouraging thoughts and humor. Numerous locations where spectators could reach the trail. Runs through a covered bridge early in the race.
C. S. from Polk city, IA (5/14/2017) "Couldn't ask for much more." (about: 2017) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time running this marathon and 4th overall. The organization and attention to details were spot on. The couse is very pretty and flat (only one minor rise at 9ish). Weather started around 50 with and got up in the 70s. The ice chips handed out at 21 were crucial. The pasta dinner and post race food were both great. Great race!
T. D. from Duluth, MN (5/23/2016) "Absolutely Fantastic Race all-around!" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This race experience was wonderful. Shortly after registering, I received a welcome email from the race director (!!!) and that was just the start of how awesome this race was. Great course, plenty of motivating, well-stocked aid stations, helpful volunteers. This was a great experience for me and I will be back!!
G. L. from Savage, MN (5/20/2016) "Exceeded Expectations" (about: 2016) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I heard nothing but positive comments about the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon, and it still exceeded my expectations. I thought I would miss the 'big race' feel, but there was nothing missing in this race. It was well organized, with great volunteers, great spectators, and a great course!

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Marathon Details - Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon