Our Course
Created in 2023 and updated in 2024, the Bismarck Marathon route features breathtaking scenery along the out-and-back course that parallels the Missouri River. Runners are treated to a relatively fast, flat course that promises experienced runners new “personal record” opportunities and novice runners a great race experience. The route incorporates a start and finish line at the North Dakota Capitol Grounds, including new sections that take runners through historic neighborhoods in Bismarck.
The full and half marathon courses are USATF-certified – as well as the 10K, meaning marathoners hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon may do so here.
Each water station and mile marker along the various courses are sponsored by a local business whose employees compete for fun awards like best dressed, best themed, and most entertaining. These groups help create an enjoyable and entertaining experience for all runners!
Please note: This is not a closed course. The Bismarck Marathon will provide limited traffic control along the course route. Runners hold the responsibility to watch for traffic on open roadways.
Water Station Location Descriptions
● 1: (Marathon mile 1 and 25, half mile 1 and 12) On N 1st St, east side of road, in front
of 409 N 1st St. Open: 7:00 AM. Closing estimate: 1:45 PM.
● 2: (Marathon mile 2.5 and 24, half mile 2.5 and 11) On Main Avenue, south side of
road, on the corner of Lake Ave and W Main Ave, west of Lake Ave. Open: 7:15 AM.
Closing estimate: 1:30 PM.
● 3: (Marathon and half mile 4): On path behind Broken Oar, near break in fence by
parking lot. Open: 7:15 AM. Closing estimate: 8:30 AM.
● 4: (Marathon and half mile 5): On path along Riverwood Drive, just east of the
entrance to Riverwood Golf Course. Open: 7:30 AM. Closing estimate: 8:45 AM.
● 5: (Marathon and half mile 6.5) On Munich Dr, on south side of road, between Reno
and Washington. Open 7:45 AM. Closing estimate: 9:15 AM.
● 6: (Marathon mile 8) On University Dr path, south side of road, just to the east of S
12th St. Open: 7:45 AM. Closing estimate: 9:30 AM.
● 7: (Marathon mile 9.5) On Burleigh Ave path, south side of road, just after the course
turns from University Dr to Burleigh Dr (just past the entrance to 1821 Burleigh Ave).
Open: 8:00 AM. Closing estimate: 10:15 AM.
● 8: (Marathon mile 10.7) On Cottonwood path, south of lake, near path intersection of
north and south trails. Open: 8:00 AM. Closing estimate: 10:30 AM.
● 9: (Marathon mile 11.5) On Cottonwood path, just prior to crossing Santa Fe. Access
through the soccer parking lot. Open: 8:15 AM. Closing estimate: 10:30 AM.
● 10: (Marathon mile 12.8) On Marietta Dr, where road travels east-west, south side of
road, mid way down road. Open: 8:15 AM. Closing estimate: 11:00 AM.
● 11: (Marathon mile 14.2) On Burleigh Ave path, north side of road, just to the west of
Boston Dr. Open: 8:30 AM. Closing estimate: 11:15 AM.
● 12: (Marathon mile 16.1) On Nina Ln, south boulevard of road, near South Meadows
Park (between Stacy Dr and S Washington St). Open: 8:30 AM. Closing estimate:
11:30 AM.
● 13: (Marathon mile 17.6) On Santa Maria Ln, east side of road, halfway down road.
Open: 8:45 AM. Closing estimate: Noon.
● 14: (Marathon mile 19) On Washington St path, west side of road, just north of
Rutland Dr (near church parking lot). Open: 9:00 AM. Closing estimate: 12:30 PM.
● 15: (Marathon mile 21, half mile 8) On Riverwood Drive path, just north of entrance to
Nishu Bowmen Club archery range. Open: 7:45 AM. Closing estimate: 12:45 PM.
● 16: (Marathon mile 22, half mile 8.75) On Riverwood Drive path, at maintenance
entrance to Riverwood golf course, just to the south of the W Bismarck Expy tunnel.
Open: 7:45 AM. Closing estimate: 1:00 PM.
● 17: (Marathon mile 23, half mile 10) On Riverfront Trail along Riverside Park Rd, in
front of Sertoma Community Center near Superslide Amusement Park. Open: 8:00
AM. Closing estimate: 1:15 PM.
● 18: (10k mile 1.9, 3.5) On Ward Road bike path, south of entrance to Arboretum
(south of College Dr) near fork in the bike path. Open: 7:30 AM. Closing estimate: 9:00
AM.
● 19: (10k mile 4.3, 5k mile 1.3) On N 1st St, south side of road just east of N Mandan
St. Open: 7:00 AM. Closing estimate: 9:30 AM.
Spiffy Biff Location Descriptions
● S1: (Capitol start / finish area): Quantity 36. 24 located near rear parking lot for
DOT, just west of the Sakakawea statue, south side of the road. 11 located
south of finish line, on capitol loop, on east side of road, north of library
entrance sidewalk. 1 located near start/finish line for race announcer and timer
use.
● S2: (Marathon mile 2.5 and 24, half mile 2.5 and 11) Quantity 5 on Main
Avenue, south side of road, on the corner of Lake Ave and W Main Ave, west of
Lake Ave. These are placed next to Main Ave, not by the path.
● S3: (Marathon and half mile 5): Quantity 5 on path along Riverwood Drive, just
west of the entrance to Riverwood Golf Course.
● S4: (Marathon mile 7.4 and 12.1): Quantity 4 on South 3rd St, just south of
Macon Dr and north of drainage ditch, on the west side of 3rd St along path that
travels to the west along the drainage ditch.
● S5: (Marathon mile 10.7) Quantity 4 on Cottonwood path, south of lake, near
path intersection of north/south and east/west trails. Place near the north/south
path.
● S6: (Marathon mile 14.2) Quantity 3 on Burleigh Ave path, north side of road,
just to the west of Boston Dr.
● S7: (Marathon mile 17.6) Quantity 3 on Santa Maria Ln, west side of road,
halfway down road.
● S8: (Marathon mile 19.1) Quantity 3 on Washington St path, west side of road,
just north of Rutland Dr (near church parking lot).
● S9: (Marathon mile 21, half mile 8) Quantity 4 on Riverwood Drive path, just
south of entrance to Nishu Bowmen Club archery range.
● S10: (Marathon mile 23, half mile 10) Quantity 3 on Riverfront Trail along
Riverside Park Rd, in front of Sertoma Community Center near Superslide
Amusement Park.
● S11: (10k mile 4.5, 5k mile 1.5) Quantity 5 on E Arikara Ave, south side of road,
near N 2nd St.
● S12: Quantity 1 located by crosswalk near Expressway tunnel to the west of
Riverwood golf course parking lot entrance for police/volunteer use.



