Marathon Relay Registration

• Jan. 1: $55
• Feb. 1: $60
• May 1: $65
• July 1: $70
• Aug. 1: $75
• Sept. 1: $80

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 2026 Bismarck Marathon will start and finish at the North Dakota State Capitol Grounds!

Our full marathon route (same as marathon relay) is a fully paved course with breathtaking scenery crossing the Missouri River!

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

• The BNSF Railway Marathon Relay 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 for the Full Marathon: 3:30, 3:40, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 5:00

The following times are the pace times for the Half Marathon: 1:50, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:30

Pacers from On Pace Race

Send this to your teammates

• It can be a challenge for relay teams who do not know their team members and thus have difficulty finding their teammate when handing-off. It is important that teams communicate with each other to ensure everyone on the team knows who they will be handing off to during the event.
• Have your team wear something unique or a distinctive color to help them stick out from the crowd.
• It is your team’s responsibility to make sure each team member is at the exchange zone in plenty of time to make the hand-off of the ankle strap with the timing chip.

Distances

• 5.2 mi. – Riverwood Golf Course Parking Lot (at mile 5)
• 5.6 mi. – Cottonwood South Parking Lot (at water station 8, between miles 10-11)
• 7.0 mi. – Santa Maria Ln. between Voyager Pl. and Calypso Dr. (mile 17.75)
• 3.5 mi. – Nishu Bowmen Club (mile 20.75)
• 5.0 mi. – Finish line (ND State Capitol Grounds)

* Relay exchange zone 4 participants SHOULD NOT park in the Nishu Bowmen Club Archery parking lot, but can park at the Bismarck Horse Club.*

The location of aid stations information is in the map section. The Bismarck Marathon route starts and ends at the North Dakota State Capital Grounds.

Aid stations are located every 1 to 2 miles with water and Powerade.

At the finish line, we also have a recovery tent with Essentia Health athletic trainers and our MDU power-up station with snacks to refuel.

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 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.