How do I register for the Bismarck Marathon?

Registration is open to anyone and runs through Race Roster starting January 1 each year. Entry stays open until the race fills, and early bird pricing is available, so fees increase as the race date gets closer.

Is the Bismarck Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. About 8 percent of finishers have historically run Boston-qualifying times, so it's achievable but not a given on this rolling course.

What does the elevation profile look like?

The course is an out-and-back with about 477 feet of total gain, matched by 477 feet of loss, for a net-zero profile. The terrain rolls throughout, with no single climb dominating, but the course never fully flattens either.

What is the typical race-day weather in September?

Expect a cool to cold morning at the start, often in the low 40s, warming into the upper 60s by midday. Wind can be a factor on exposed sections. Layers you can shed early are worth bringing.

How large is the field?

The Bismarck Marathon is a smaller regional race with around 200 finishers in recent years. The intimate field size means less crowd energy but also less congestion on the course.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Bismarck Marathon course is USATF certified.

Sat, Sep 19 · 2026Bismarck, NDSince 1981

Bismarck Marathon

The Bismarck Marathon runs an out-and-back course through North Dakota's capital city, with a cool September morning that can surprise you and rolling terrain that rewards even, patient running.

FlatOpen

BISMARCK · US

Bismarck

SAT, SEP 19

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1981

Bismarck is a small, honest race. It starts and finishes at the North Dakota Capitol Grounds, and from the gun the field is thin enough that you'll find yourself running your own race almost immediately. The course rolls through the capital city on an out-and-back, so you'll see the same terrain twice. That symmetry is actually useful once you know how to use it: the first half is reconnaissance. Don't go out hard just because it feels easy.

The field is small, which cuts both ways. Crowd support is modest, so you need to bring your own energy late in the race. But open registration means getting in is genuinely simple, and September in Bismarck can hand you a cool morning that makes a solid effort very possible. It's a Boston qualifier, and the low-key atmosphere suits runners who want to focus on their race rather than manage a massive field. If you want a flat, straightforward PR attempt, look elsewhere; this one rolls enough to ask something of you. But if you want a well-organized, no-nonsense marathon where you can actually race your own race, Bismarck delivers.

Field size

~206

206 finishers

BQ rate

8%

Near national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:26:36

Matthew Adams

2011

Women

2:46:46

Christina Scobey

1995

The Course

477 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑477 ft

Total descent

↓477 ft

Net elevation

↑0 ft

Highest point

1,793 ft

Lowest point

1,628 ft

Course shape

Out and back

Same route, both directions

The course is a symmetrical out-and-back, so every foot of elevation you gain on the way out you give back on the return. Total gain sits under 500 feet, spread across a 165-foot elevation range, which means no single climb is steep or long enough to blow up a pace plan. The challenge is cumulative: the rolling profile never truly flattens, so running even splits matters more than surging on the downhills. The back half mirrors the front exactly, which is mentally useful if you bank your effort early rather than your pace. Plan for the second half to feel harder than the numbers suggest.

DIFFICULTYROLLINGPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

43°F

High

70°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

September in Bismarck can feel like a gift early in the day. Mornings often start cool, sometimes cold enough that you'll want a throwaway layer at the start. By the time you're deep into the back half, temps will have climbed and any wind on the exposed sections will matter more than you'd expect. The spread between gun time and finish time can be significant, so don't overdress. Overall, the window gives you a real shot at running well, but it's not a guaranteed fast-conditions day.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration with rolling entry through Race Roster. Registration opens January 1 each year. Early bird pricing available; fees increase as race approaches.

Register on race site