Highlights
USATF-Certified Course
Our Route is Fast and Fun!
Breath Taking Scenery Along the Missouri River
7:30 AM
(Subject to Change)
2026 Race Swag
Every registration or the Essentia Health Half Marathon includes a Bismarck Marathon shirt and race water bottle. Shirt and bottle at packet pickup. Medal at the finish line.
2026 Finisher’s 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
Half Marathon Registration
- Jan. 1: $80
- Feb. 1: $95
- May 1: $100
- July 1: $105
- Aug. 1: $110
- Sept. 1: $115
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!
This course is USATF certified, and the course code is ND23010TRR.
Water Station Location Descriptions
● Water Stations at miles 1/12, 2.5/11, 4, 5/9, 6.5, 8, 8.75, 10.
Spiffy Biff Location Descriptions
● Bathrooms are located at miles 0, 2.5/11, 5, 8, 10.
Saturday, September 19 – Race Day Schedule
- The Half Marathon presented by Essentia Health starts a 7:30 AM CT.
- The course closes at 2 PM CT.
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 available for the Half Marathon:
1:50, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:30
Pacers from On Pace Race
The location of aid stations will be released when available before the race.
Half Marathon Awards:
The top male and female finishers 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.
Parking will not be allowed along the main loop of the Capital Grounds to prioritize runner safety. For more information, please see the parking information page here.
Race Packet Pick-up
Packet Pick-up information will be released closer to race day.
More information can be found on the Packet Pick-Up page.