Highlights
USATF Certified Boston and NYC Qualifying Race!
Fast, Flat, and Fully Paved Course
Breathtaking scenery along the Missouri River
7:30 AM
(subject to change)
2026 Race Swag
Every registration for the MDU Resources Full Marathon includes a Bismarck Marathon shirt and race water bottle. Shirt and bottle at packet pickup. Medal at the finish line.
2026 Finisher Medal
After you finish a race at the Bismarck Marathon, presented by MDU Resources Group Inc, you’ll receive a custom finisher’s medal!
Every medal is customized with the Bismarck Marathon logo, the date, and an empty space for you to remember your new PR time on our fast and fully paved course!
Race Details
Full Marathon Registration
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- Jan. 1: $100
- Feb. 1: $125
- May 1: $130
- July 1: $135
- Aug. 1: $140
- Sept. 1: $145
Registration fees for The Bismarck Marathon are non-refundable. Deferrals are not offered to future years. However, runners are welcome to use the transfer feature on Race Roster at their own expense to change to a different distance or runner. To learn more, please see the Race Roster information page here.
The 2026 maps are below.
Our route for the Bismarck Marathon will start and finish at the North Dakota State Capitol Grounds! Our full marathon route will continue to feature a fully paved course with breathtaking scenery along the Missouri River.
This course is USATF certified, and the course code is ND26007TRR.
The race starts and finished right in front of the North Dakota State Capitol Building, making for a picture-perfect finish. Plus, parts of the route now run through historic downtown Bismarck neighborhoods.
Water Station Locations
● Water Stations at miles 1/25, 2.5/24, 4, 5, 6.5, 8, 9.5, 10.7, 11.5, 12.8, 14.2, 16.1, 17.6, 19, 21, 22, 23.
Spiffy Biff Location Descriptions
● Bathrooms are located at miles 0, 2.5/24, 5, 7.4, 12.1, 10.7, 14.2, 17.6, 19.1, 21, 23.
Saturday, September 19 – Race Day Schedule
7:30 AM MDU Resources Full Marathon, Basin Electric Power Coop. Half Marathon, and BNSF Railway Marathon Relay races start
2 PM Course Closes
This schedule is subject to change. The Bismarck Marathon will never change the schedule without notifying its registrants.
The following times are the pace times for the Full Marathon: 3:30, 3:40, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 5:00
Pacers from On Pace Race
Full Marathon Awards:
The top 3 male and top 3 female finishers for the marathon will be awarded with a plaque to recognize their achievement!
Parking at the North Dakota State Capitol Grounds is limited and will fill up quickly on race day.
The Bismarck Marathon and officials from the North Dakota State Capitol are working together to create the best parking experience for all runners on race day. Stay tuned for an updated parking map with the best locations to park, where not to park, and more.
Parking will not be allowed along the main loop of the Capitol Grounds to prioritize runner safety. For more information, please see the 2025 parking information page here.
Race Packet Pick-up
Packet Pick-up will be at Scheels at the Kirkwood Mall between 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM on Friday, September 18.
More information can be found on the Packet Pick-Up page.