
From the Organizer
Get ready for a weekend of running, community, and scenic beauty at the Prairie & Pines 5K and Half Marathon in Marshall, Minnesota!
Kick things off on Saturday evening, August 8, 2026, with the Prairie & Pines 5K—a relaxed, family-friendly fun run perfect for all ages and ability levels. Starting at 6:00 PM, this event invites runners, walkers, and families to enjoy a welcoming atmosphere along the picturesque Camden Regional Trail. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just soaking in the summer evening, the 5K is all about fun, fitness, and fresh air.
Then, rise and shine on Sunday morning, August 9, 2026, for the Prairie & Pines Half Marathon. Beginning at 8:00 AM, this professionally chip-timed race offers a more competitive experience while still showcasing the same stunning natural surroundings. The race will take you through the beautiful SMSU campus, the ADM environmental learning trail before meeting up with the Camden Regional Trail, on the outskirts of town. This trail brings everything you love about southwest Minnesota making every mile as enjoyable as it is memorable.
Both races start and finish at the Red Baron Arena, creating a central hub for participants and spectators alike. Even better, every step you take supports a great cause—proceeds from both events benefit the Marshall Area YMCA’s services and programs, helping strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Come for the run, stay for the impact, and be part of something meaningful at the Prairie & Pines 5K and Half Marathon.
Pricing & Giveaway Information -
Register by 7/8 to receive a cooling towel (5k registrants) or a t-shirt (half marathon registrants).
Prices for both events will increase on 7/9 and 8/3 - be sure to register by 7/8 to ensure early bird pricing!
**DISCOUNT** Sign up for the 5k and Half Marathon and receive a $10 discount and both giveaways!
Packet Pick Up Information
Pick Up will be organized on 8/8 starting at 4:30pm for both the 5k and the Half Marathon. If you are running the Half Marathon you may also pick up your packet race day morning, 8/9 starting at 6:30am.
Post Event Festivities
The celebration starts at the finish line—great food trucks, music, and a lively crowd coming together to relax and recharge. Swap race stories, enjoy good eats, and soak in the community spirit that makes the day unforgettable.
Enjoy the following local food trucks after your race:
Rolling Hills Pizza (8/8 Only)
Taqueria el Tarasco
Asian Hut
Other Important Information
The Red Baron Arena will have restrooms available both before and after the 5k and half marathon.
There will be a limited number of cooling towels (5k) and t-shirts (half marathon) for those who did not register before the July 8th deadline, but these will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
There will be water available at the halfway point of the 5k. Water, porta potties, and first aid will be available every 2-3 miles of the half marathon.
Volunteers will be available to assist with road crossings, but roads will not be closed, so please be aware of your surroundings at all times!
HALF MARATHON ONLY:
Please tag the YMCA and Visit Marshall and let us be able to celebrate your accomplishment together!
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
83°
Typical Low
60°
Chance of Rain
27%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Marshall, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
13,880
as of 2023
Elevation
1,156 ft
Nearest Airport
ATY
Watertown Regional Airport · 75 mi
Major Hub
MSP
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field · 129 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Prairie & Pines 5k and Half Marathon, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
61
Days to train
Coming Up
2026 Fulda Scholarship 5K
41 miles away
Mountain Lake Road Race and Fitness Walk
55 miles away
Nutcracker Half
59 miles away
Summerfest 5K & Fun Run
32 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The half marathon is the distance where you find out what you're actually made of. Long enough to demand real preparation. Short enough that it doesn't consume your life to train for it. Most people who run their first half describe it as the race that changed their relationship with what they're capable of. Once you cross this finish line, the bar moves. That's not a warning — that's the point.
Race day energy varies by event size, but the finish line feeling is the same regardless. Big races keep the noise going the whole way. Smaller races give you stretches where it's just you and the miles — and that solitude becomes its own kind of fuel.
The half marathon rewards people who show up for the boring training miles.
How long to train: 10–14 weeks. If you're already running consistently, 10 weeks of structured buildup is enough. If you're building from a casual base, give yourself 14.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Prairie & Pines 5k and Half Marathon
Aug 8, 2026