Athletic Republic Run/Walk

The fifth annual running of Fergus Falls' Athletic Republic Half Marathon, 5K & 1-Mile Run takes runners on a tour of this town of about 14,000 residents in the west-central section of the state. Throughout the 13.1 miles of the half-marathon route, runners are taken past historic local architectural gems as well as several of the town's more than 500 acres of parks and greenspace areas, along a fast and mostly flat out-and-back course.

While the 5K and 1-mile family fun run are open to both runners and walkers, the half-marathon portion of the race is open to runners only. Strollers are likewise prohibited along the 13.1-mile half marathon course, but are allowed for participants on both the 5K and 1-mile fun run courses. All three races in the event begin at 8:30 AM.

Visitors to Fergus Falls -- which lies about 180 miles northwest of Minneapolis, and 25 miles east of the state border with North Dakota -- can expect ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail and the Otter Trail Scenic Byway, a 150-mile loop trail through the area's more than 1,000 lakes and wildlife-rich wetland areas.