Bismarck Marathon Adverse Condition Policy
August 21, 2025
The Bismarck Marathon is a volunteer-led non-profit organization that strives to produce safe, community-focused, and sustainable races each year. The safety and well being of participants, volunteers, and spectators is of the utmost importance to our organization. The Bismarck Marathon is aware of the commitment participants have made to enter this event and will do its utmost to execute the event as planned. However, the Bismarck Marathon reserves the right to cancel or modify the races if deemed prudent to protect the participants, volunteers, or spectators. Circumstances that are outside the control of the Bismarck Marathon and situations that may impact the local emergency response, and our host community, may require adjustments. Due to the nature of executing running events, the vast majority of expenses incurred by race organizers happen prior to the event. For this reason and for the sustainability of this event, the Bismarck Marathon does not offer refunds due to event cancellations. In addition, due to volunteer commitments, traffic concerns, police commitments, a wide variety of contracted services, and many other logistics, postponement of the races is generally not feasible.
Adjustments or cancellation of the race may be necessary in the event of the following conditions. At all times, participants participate at their own risk and are solely responsible for their own safety and for using good judgment should unsafe conditions occur. If there are any modifications or cancellations, the race organizers will contact participants through all reasonable methods such as email, social media, or the race website.
Tornadoes and Lightning
The presence of lightning, tornadoes, and unsafe weather conditions prior to the race start may necessitate race cancellation or delay.
Prior to race start: In the event of tornado or lightning in the area (within 10 miles of the race course) prior to race start, the race starts may be delayed up to 60 minutes at the discretion of race management. Due to logistics, facilities, volunteers, police, contracted services, and other concerns, postponements of more than 60 minutes of any races will result in cancellation. The inclement weather must be more than 10 miles away for at least 20 minutes before the races may start.
During the races: In the event of tornado or lightning in the area (within 10 miles of the race courses) during any race event, the races will be cancelled and runners will be asked to safely exit the race course. Since runners and volunteers may be spread out around town, it may not be possible for us to notify runners on the course of cancellation. Race volunteers and safety personnel may need to take shelter as well. Ultimately it is the runner’s responsibility to use good judgement. If you see lightning, hear thunder, hear a tornado siren, or otherwise feel unsafe, please leave the race course and take shelter.
Air Quality
https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics
If the Air Quality Index (AQI) is 200 or higher at 7:00 am on race day, the Bismarck Marathon will be cancelled to protect athletes, spectators, and course volunteers from the increased risks of being exposed to unhealthy air conditions.
Race participants are encouraged to exercise their best judgement to participate if AQI levels exceed the normal range.
High Temperature and Humidity
https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex
If the NWS Heat Index is forecast to be in the Danger or Extreme Danger ranges at noon on race day, the Bismarck Marathon will be cancelled to protect athletes, spectators, and course volunteers from the increased risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If the NWS Heat Index is forecast to be in the Caution or Extreme Caution ranges during the race, participants will likely be allowed to continue but be encouraged to exercise their best judgement, significantly slow their paces, take frequent walking breaks; or to choose not to participate in the event.
Other Unexpected Occurrences
The Bismarck Marathon reserves the right to cancel any races to protect the health and safety of participants, volunteers, spectators, and race personnel. There is no way to anticipate every possible scenario. Occurrences such as high winds, hail, ice, snow, frost, terrorism, pandemics, or other unanticipated factors could occur. We will work closely with the appropriate local authorities and key stakeholders during unforeseen events.
Since runners and volunteers may be spread out around town, it may not be possible for us to notify runners on the course of cancellation. Race volunteers and safety personnel may need to take shelter as well. Ultimately it is the runner’s responsibility to use good judgement. If you see lightning, hear thunder, hear a tornado siren, or otherwise feel unsafe, please leave the race course and take shelter.
Race Cancellation
In the unlikely event of race cancellation, due to the nature of planning and executing a running event, cancelled events will not be rescheduled or restarted. No refunds for any cancelled races will be given.
Communications Protocols for Race Day
For delays or cancellations of any events:
Race Directors call safety leads (Jeremy Fettig for traffic volunteers and police, Tim Sybrant for water stations). Race directors call the police. Race directors call Funatix.
Funatix to post news on all social media, website, etc.
Traffic safety lead and water station lead communicate to section leads. Section leads drive the course and instruct volunteers. For race start delays, race volunteers should remain at their posts, if safe, in automobiles, to await further instruction. For race cancellations during a race, race volunteers should remain at their posts, if safe, in automobiles, for 20 minutes to inform runners as they pass. After 20 minutes of being informed of race cancellation, volunteers may leave posts.
Do not travel in utility vehicles during lightning. Use automobiles in these situations.