You’ve heard the slogan, “What’s your 20 x 10”?  They even have Fargo’s fearless, flood fighting mayor asking the question.  The goal is 20,000 runners in 2010.  This year marks the 6^th year of the Fargo Marathon. As we enter a new decade, 2010, we are being challenged to set and reach our own 2010 goals. 

This is an event for all ages and an opportunity for everyone to set their own personal goals.  My daughter Jessica started with the ½ mile youth run at the age of 8, from there advanced to the 1 mile youth run, ran the 5k at ages 10 and 11, and this year, at the age of 12, will be running in the inaugural 10k.  Each year I remind her that she is setting her own goals and should strive for her own personal best.  It’s about challenging yourself and always striving to do better.  When she ran in her first 5k she placed in the top 1/3 of all people who ran that year which was approximately 3500 people.  I am excited for this year and know that not too far in the distant future I will be watching my daughter finish her first ½ marathon and someday attain a goal that all runners strive to achieve …..the full marathon.  I am truly proud of Fargo for offering such an elite event that we can all be proud of.

The following is a run down of the times for this year’s event.

Thursday, May 20^th

            6:30-7:00 p.m. – Youth run ½ mile race

            7:00-8:00 p.m. – Youth run 1 mile race

Friday, May 21^st

            6:30-8:00 p.m. – 5k run/walk

              *Runners line up on University Drive @ 5:30 p.m.

              *Race will start at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 22^nd

            5:30 a.m. - FargoDome lobby opens up to runners

            6:30 a.m. - Starting line announcements begin and 10k lineup

            7:00 a.m. - 10k Run/walk starts (Go Jessica!)

            7:05 a.m. - Starting line announcements and ½ marathon lineup

            7:20 a.m. – National Anthem, Invocation, Dignitaries

            7:30 a.m. - ½ Marathon starts

            7:40 a.m. - Starting line announcements and marathon lineup

            7:50 a.m. - National Anthem, Invocation, Dignitaries

            7:55 a.m. - Wheelchair start

            8:00 a.m. - Full marathon event starts

            3:00 p.m. - Full and ½ marathon courses close

The cost to run in the following events:

            Marathon $85.00 online through April 30^th, $90.00 from May 1-15

            ½ Marathon $65.00 online through April 30^th, $70.00 from May 1-15

            10k $40.00 online through April 30^th, $45.00 from May 1-15

            5k $30.00 online through April 30^th, $35.00 from May 1-15

            Your mile and ½ mile run $10.00

Packet Pickup Hours are Thursday, May 20 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday, May 21^st from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

All runners will start outside of the FargoDome but will finish inside the Dome under the Jumbotron video monitors.  When you are standing at the finish line waiting for your family, friend, or colleague to run across the finish line you can just hear and feel the excitement in the air.  It seems like your entire city is cheering you on.  It truly is an amazing feeling.

There is plenty of course entertainment along the marathon route.  There are gymnasts, rock-n-roll bands, kids, family, and friends dressed up supporting their favorite runners.  There truly is something fun to see at every mile.

There is still time to register either online or offline.  Here’s where you register online.  For offline entrants complete a registration form and mail it along with your payment to Fargo Marathon, Inc. P.O. Box 2623 Fargo, ND 58108-2623.

The marathon committee is still looking for volunteers in the following areas: traffic control, registration/packet pickup, pasta/lefse feed, finish line & medical tent, youth run, and cleanup just to name a few.  As a volunteer you will receive an official Scheels Fargo Marathon volunteer t-shirt and you will be invited to special post race activities.  Goodie bags containing a Scheels gift card and coupons for discounts at local merchants will also be given to volunteers.  If you would like to volunteer please e-mail volunteers@fargomarathon.com or call 888 RUN FARGO.

The Fargo Marathon recently received the Runner’s World Reader’s Choice Award as the #1 Best Value Marathon in America and the 8^th Best Overall Marathon in America.  So whether you’re looking to run your first event this year, plan to volunteer, or want to be a cheering spectator that Fargo would be proud of, be sure to come out on May 22^nd and join in the fun and support our local  Marathon.  See you at the finish line!