The Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon is a race in Bemidji, Minnesota, first run in 2013. The race runs around a lake, along a state trail and through a state park. It takes place in October, when many of the forest surroundings are bright with color. The race has grown into a weekend of festivities that includes several races, nearly 1,000 runners, and the Be Active Expo at the Sanford Center. The race director is Phil Knutson. The medical director is Dr. Mark Carlson. Live coverage of the race has been provided by local radio station KKBJ-FM, . The race is certified by the USATF, thus it is a Boston Marathon qualifier.
Course
The race course is a loop, mostly flat with some hills and roughly 300 ft. total elevation gain. All of the route is on paved trails and roads. Runners cite the scenic nature of the course as a highlight of the race. As of 2018, the course starts at the Sanford Center, the convention center and hockey arena, and then heads west before angling back toward the start for an eight-mile loop. The race continues on the shore of Lake Bemidji and follows the tree-lined Paul Bunyan State Trail over the Mississippi River before doubling back after reaching Big Bass Lake. The route continues through the pines, poplar and spruce trees of Lake Bemidji State Park, back around the west side of panoramic Lake Bemidji, through the city's downtown, and past the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues before returning to the Sanford Center. The course is a certified marathon distance.
Race weekend
Several races take place as a part of the marathon weekend. The first day includes two kids races, a 5K run and a 10K run. The marathon takes place on the second day along with a half marathon and a unique 26K race that circles Lake Bemidji. Throughout the weekend, the local arena hosts the Be Active Expo and the Bemidji State Beavers men's hockey team home games. The marathon and half marathon races offer pacers.
Prizes
Prizes for the marathon have included double-bit felling axes with engraved handles.
History
Local runner Dennis Bartz spearheaded the idea to bring a marathon to Bemidji, a city of nearly 15,000 people. Bartz coached cross country and track for Bemidji High School, and in the 1970s, was captain of his Bemidji State Beavers track and cross country teams. He wrote in 2011. In 2012, Bartz worked with a team of co-directors, including Cris Bitker, Jill Bitker, Aaron Riedel, Mark Peske, to plan and launch the first marathon weekend in 2013. Michael Meehlhause, a Bemidji City Council member since 2012, has run in one of the races every year. His best times are 3:52:08 in the marathon, 1:45:30 in the half marathon, and 2:16:12 for 11th place in the 26K. 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
