Race Details
A weekend designed for those who are bone to be wild. We invite ghosts, ghouls, witches, and the superstitious to join us for the first annual First International Bank & Trust FM Halloween Run weekend on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30. Races range from our haunted-maze themed Friday Fright Night 5K to our Saturday morning 5K, 10K, and half marathon for those who survive the night.
All events will start and finish inside the Fargo Civic Center (207 North 4th Street, Fargo, ND 58102) and run onto the trails hugging the Red River in Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota. We’ll also have costume contests with prizes and awards for our best dressed and fastest runners in their age groups. We expect most runners to be dressed up, so we strongly encourage you to join in the fun.
Already hooked? You can register for the race here.
Still need some encouragement? Here’s everything you need to know about what we have in store for our spooktacular weekend:
The Course
Friday, October 29th
Samuel Adams Friday Fright Night 5K
Packet Pickup: 12:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Costume Contest: 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm
Race Start Time: 6:30 pm
It’s not Friday the 13th, but our first night will be the scariest of the weekend. We kickoff festivities appropriately with the Friday Fright Night 5K, starting with a costume contest to see who is best dressed to impress. There will be various categories. Those deemed worthy of our highest honor of the evening will take home our collection of prizes. (Official categories will be released closer to race day)
After our chicest runners are crowned, we’ll make our way to the 5K start line inside–yes, inside–the Fargo Civic Center. Runners and walkers will be tricked and treated to our Halloween-inspired course that runs onto the paved trails by the Red River. But this isn’t your normal 5K route. On this night only, monsters and other creatures of the night will be lurking throughout the race, keeping you on your toes and scaring you toward the finish line back inside the Fargo Civic Center.
Course map subject to change
Saturday, October 30th
Costume Contest: 7:00 am – 7:45 am
Though costumes are not required, we expect most of our runners to be in the Halloween spirit on Saturday morning. The day starts off before our races get going with the costume contest. Any costumed runner will be eligible for prizes in various categories (we’ll announce them closer to race day).
Our eclectic mass of participants will then set off in waves on our 5K, 10K, and half marathon courses that start and end in the Fargo Civic Center and traverse the beautiful trails along the Red River. You can find the official course maps below.
First International Bank & Trust Half Marathon
Race Start Time: 8:00 AM
The half marathon will start in the Civic Center and exit north along 4th St. to 4th Ave. N. It will cross over to the bike path along 2nd St. N, then proceed south along the bike path and under 1st Ave. bridge, NP Ave. bridge, and Main Ave. bridge! Then you continue south through Lindenwood Park on Roger Maris Drive. A nice loop through the park will bring you to the footbridge in Lindenwood Park where you’ll cross over into Moorhead’s Gooseberry Park for a loop! The course crosses back into Fargo on the footbridge and heads north up the bike path to the float bridge where you will cross over to the bike path on the Minnesota side of the Red River. Half marathon runners will run the great paths behind Hjemkomst Park! You’ll experience great scenery with the Red River and the trees lining this beautiful path! You will eventually get to the Oak Grove footbridge and take that into Oak Grove Park. Here the team from First International Bank & Trust will great you with their awesome Aid Station. A nice run through the park and around the school will bring you to a loop through Treefoil Park. Be ready for more great scenery with lots of trees, colors, and squirrels! The last mile will get you to the city bike path, just south of Oak Grove High School, and you’ll start to the music from the Civic Center as it brings you in with a final kick!
Course map subject to change
BCBS of North Dakota 5K
Race Start Time: 8:05 AM
This course zips through Oak Grove Park, crosses the Red River into Minnesota at the Oak Grove footbridge. 5K runners and walkers will then soak up the Minnesota paved trails of Hjemkomst Park before going back to the Fargo side of the Red River via the 1st Avenue bridge. A scenic fall route will make this 3.1 miles enjoyable all the way through!
Course map subject to change
This course zips through Oak Grove Park, completes a loop through Treefoil Park and crosses the Red River into Minnesota at the Oak Grove footbridge. 10K runners and walkers will then soak up the Minnesota paved trails of Hjemkomst Park before going back to the Fargo side of the Red River via the float bridge. From there the course goes north on the bike path along the Red River and eventually to 4th Ave. N and the Civic Center finish. The course is so scenic, enjoyable, and fast!
Costume Contest
There will be a costume contest held on both days to award our most spirited runners, and prizes will be awarded for several categories! Winners must be present at the time of the contest to claim their prize.
More costume contest information will be provided as we get closer to race day, so check back here to learn more.
Aid Stations
Packet Pickup
Directions & Parking
There are several parking structures in and around the Fargo Civic Center. Spots are limited as is street parking, so plan accordingly. For more information about parking downtown, visit https://www.fargoparking.com/.
Coming in from out of town? We’re proud to have the Radisson Blu as our host hotel. It’s located next door to the Fargo Civic Center where all of the action starts and begins. An added bonus: you have the easiest commute to the start line on Saturday morning.
Ready To Run?
Reserve your spot today at the First International Bank & Trust FM Halloween Run!
