FARGO MINI MARATHON ROCKS SOUTH FARGO - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

It was cool this morning for the Fargo Mini Marathon but that didn't keep thousands from coming out. About 2,400 people came out for one of the three races today. It was at an all new location at the Scheels Arena and from what we hear, runners liked it.

At 8 O'clock Saturday morning many of you were likely in bed, fighting this weather with the warm side of a blanket. But not everyone.

"It was rough at the beginning but I just kept going." Says Alex Enerson who ran his first 10k Saturday.

Travis Fitske who took first in the Fargo half marathon actually enjoyed the weather, "I would rather take a 40 degree day than a 80 degree day for sure."

Then there is Kelby Jennissen who knew the weather wasn't ideal, but found the good in the situation, "it wasn't too bad, good weather good, good people good tunes, made it across."

They're not all super athletes that competed in today's 5k, 10k, or half marathon but when you throw yourself in the mix with nearly 2,400 others you start to think, this is kind of a big deal.

Marathon director Mark Knutson says venturing out of downtown and into south Fargo at the Scheels Arena was a good move. "We're grateful because having it at an arena like this really is a mini marathon experience... coming into the Scheels Arena like this is cool."

Some runners, like Enerson, were surprised by the turnout, "there was a lot of people I thought there would be a couple hundred maybe but there was a lot of people."

This year's fourth annual Fargo Mini Marathon was in south Fargo for the first time. Knutson says he wanted to switch it up, keep things fresh. "We used to call it the FM Mini, we ran it downtown. But we moved it away from there. It was hard because the Civic Center was a little small for us."

But at Scheels Arena there's room for everyone. The course itself stretched across portions of 32nd ave, Veterans Blvd, and 45th St., which was nice for runners. Especially those that ran in some of Fargo's previous big races.

Knutson says some new scenery goes along way, "it's a nice course right now, a year from now it's gonna be a great course. And two years from now it's gonna be one of the best."

Until next years event, you have some time to train, maybe even consider sneaking in a full marathon. But it's not for everyone, including Jennissen, "I don't know if I'm gonna go that far.... Hahah."

Two participants had an interesting race this morning. 79 year old Bea Alderman and 89 year old Estella Kamphaugh signed up for the 5K. But were accidentally directed on the 10K route! They finished in under two hours and did end up getting 10K medals. Congrats on your finish ladies!