# Mankato Marathon

The Mankato Marathon is an annual marathon race in Mankato, Minnesota, United States, that was first run in 2010. The race weekend now brings nearly 5,000 runners to the city for several races: the marathon, a marathon four-person relay, a half marathon, a 10K run, a 5K run, children's runs. The race course is certified by the USATF, making it a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon.
The race is held in mid-October, when the hardwood forests of the Minnesota River valley turn bright with color. Although the city is known for its steep hills, the course winds around them and features only gradual climbs and downhills as it moves through many neighborhoods, two country roads and the downtown. The marathon begins at Minnesota State University, Mankato, makes two loops through the city, and finishes on historic Front Street.
The marathon weekend is now one of the major events in southwest Minnesota.
As with most modern marathons, many runners raise money for charity. The marathon organizers help coordinate with local non-profit organizations for fundraising leading up to and during the event. In 2019, $15,000 was raised.
Mayo Clinic Health System is the main sponsor of the race, though at its 2010 genesis, Hy-Vee sponsored the race.
The race is owned and managed by Visit Mankato (the tourism branch of Greater Mankato Growth).
In 2017 and 2018, the website Bibrave named the Mankato Half Marathon as one of the best in the United States. The editors noted the fall scenery, the support, and the paved trails as winning features.
Broadcast coverage of the weekend is provided by KATO-FM (93.1) and KDOG-FM (96.7).

## Race weekend

The race weekend begins with a sports and health exposition, which is sponsored by Scheels and is held in the Myers Field House at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The day before the marathon, there are races for children and a 5K race around the MSU campus. On marathon race day, the other three races begin in the morning from the campus, near Blakeslee Stadium. The 10K starts the day, and an hour later, the marathon and half marathon take off in a combined start. Runners can also do the marathon as a four-person relay team.
Pacers are provided for both the full and half marathon.
After the races, there is a post-race party near the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center with live music, food and drinks.

## Marathon course

In 2019, the course underwent a shift to more neighborhood streets and less long, straight stretches along agricultural fields.
The marathon course starts in downtown Mankato, and runs through several neighborhoods in the city, winding around quaint blocks with some cheering residents. It also takes runners on the Red Jacket Trail, around Mount Kato, near Sibley Park, along the Blue Earth River and the Minnesota River (though it is hidden by the levy walls), through the 1890s era downtown and past the Hubbard House, and down two rural roads. The finish is on Front Street, near the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center, where several restaurants and bars are also located. The largest descent in the course is at mile 18. The course is a certified marathon distance (USATF #MN19070RR).

## Prizes

In 2018, the first place winners received $250 and a trophy made of Kasota stone from the Kasota-Mankato quarries.

## History

The race was initially envisioned as a combination athletic and art fair event. However, city leaders felt that either event might outgrow one weekend, so the race was delegated to the regional tourism office, Visit Mankato. The office partnered with Final Events, owned by Mark Bongers. The two entities shared ownership of the race weekend. The race weekend was set later in the year to avoid competing with the seven other Minnesota marathons, and also to serve as a "last shot" for a Boston-qualifying race in the state.
The inaugural race was sponsored by Hy-Vee and the race weekend included just three races: The marathon, the half, and a 10K. The initial participation exceeded expectations: Race applications had to be turned away as 2,000 total entries (for the three races) filled early. The marathon was capped at 800 runners.
A light rain fell as the race began, but it cleared up, and the wind was not a factor in the race as some feared.
James Sorenson graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2005, where he ran cross country and track, and he decided to run the inaugural race. the Gustie won the race in 2:37:04. Jen Blue, a Minnesota State Mankato coach for the track and field team, won for women in 3:06:29. It was her fourth marathon.
For the half, 1,100 runners signed up. John VanDanacker of Greenfield, Minnesota, a veteran runner and Medtronic employee who had run for University of Minnesota Duluth cross country and track in the 1980s, won. A 32-year-old Janesville, Minnesota, mother of three, Elisa Johnson, won the woman's title in 1:27:36. 350 runners took to the 10K course.
In 2011, 3,800 runners raced. And the 5K was added. The finish line shifted slightly, and Mayo Clinic became the main sponsor.
In 2014, before the race, 56-year-old North Mankato, Minnesota, resident Brian Mechler called emergency dispatchers to tell them an anonymous person planted four bombs on the marathon race route. The course was searched by local police and bomb-sniffing dogs from the Twin Cities. It was found to be safe, though more officers were added to the event security team for the marathon day. Mechler was arrested and in court, he pleaded innocent to charges of terroristic threats. Regardless, the court found him guilty. He served jail time and received mental health treatment.
In 2019 the course was rerouted to avoid the longer country roads. Instead, the weaving new path took runners through the neighborhoods. Most praised the change, but the following year, few runners would get a chance to try it again.
By the summer of 2020, Grandma's Marathon and the Twin Cities Marathon had already announced cancelations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it wasn't until August that the Mankato race announced it would not be run in 2020. Participants were given the opportunity to run their own course and submit their times.

## Marathon race results

Key:  Course record
All cities in Minnesota unless indicated otherwise
| | Men | Men | Men | Men | Men | Women | Women | Women | Women | Women | Women |
| Year | Place | Name | Age | Hometown | Time | Year | Place | Name | Age | Hometown | Time |
| 2023 | | Jonathan Keller | 29 | Hugo | 2:29:29 | | 2023 | | Caryn Herrick | 33 | St. Louis Park | 2:59:33 |
| 2023 | | Max Hand | 22 | Saint Paul | 2:40:45 | | 2023 | | Kelli Deeg | 41 | Wayzata | 3:14:41 |
| 2023 | | Nicholas Rudolph | 30 | Waseca | 2:42:12 | | 2023 | | Sydney Paulson | 24 | Minneapolis | 3:15:23 |
| 2022 | | Kaleb Colston | 27 | Bloomington | 2:36:20 | | 2022 | | Steph Cloutier | 31 | Eleva, Wisconsin | 3:08:06 |
| 2022 | | Michael Walentiny | 34 | Lewiston | 2:39:31 | | 2022 | Angela Byers | 42 | Minneapolis | 3:21:43 |
| 2022 | | Zach Fogarty | 35 | Rochester | 2:55:26 | | 2022 | Carissa Carroll | 42 | North Oaks | 3:35:41 |
| 2021 | | Tristan Coughlin | 38 | St. Paul | 2:37:34 | 2021 | | Breana Siljander | 31 | Minneapolis | 3:19:43 |
| 2021 | | Michael Walentiny | 33 | Goodview | 2:42:25 | 2021 | | Emily Linscheid | 28 | Johnston, Iowa | 3:28:44 |
| 2021 | | Daniel Lauer-Schumacher | 37 | Minneapolis | 2:44:13 | 2021 | | Christine Skopec | 32 | Woodbury | 3:30:50 |
| 2020 | | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | | 2020 | | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | |
| 2019 | | Nicholas Wimmer | 29 | Minneapolis | 2:35:28 | 2019 | | Rebecca Mayer | 38 | Eden Prairie | 3:01:55 |
| 2019 | | Kyle Smith | 32 | Duluth | 2:40:26 | 2019 | | Parry Larson | 24 | Cologne | 3:23:22 |
| 2019 | | Ali Khalili | 30 | Byron | 2:41:03 | 2019 | | Janet Smith | 38 | Dundas | 3:25:15 |
| 2018 | | Jacob Gallagher | 23 | Mankato | 2:37:17 | 2018 | | Katie Herald | 30 | Marshfield, Wisconsin | 3:12:33 |
| 2018 | | Jeff Lanners | 35 | West Saint Paul | 2:41:58 | 2018 | | Megan Sauer | 23 | Lismore | 3:14:31 |
| 2018 | | Robert Economy | 54 | Victoria | 2:50:20 | 2018 | | Anja Standly | 41 | Lonsdale | 3:21:27 |
| 2017 | | Jacob Gallagher | 22 | Lisbon, North Dakota | 2:29:26 | 2017 | | Monica Dorn | 38 | Hendricks | 3:04:40 |
| 2017 | | Brett Rosauer | 27 | Iowa City, Iowa | 2:30:36 | 2017 | | Erin Manlove | 32 | Minneapolis | 3:07:09 |
| 2017 | | Daniel Bretscher | 34 | Northfield | 2:39:34 | 2017 | | Sarah Schmidt-Dannert | 29 | Shoreview | 3:15:33 |
| 2016 | | Jeff Stuckenbroker | 30 | Windom | 2:41:07 | 2016 | | Lisa Tavares | 37 | Colfax, Wisconsin | 3:06:39 |
| 2016 | | Brock Tesdahl | 24 | St. Louis Park | 2:42:11 | 2016 | | Hiedi Johnson | 43 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 3:10:19 |
| 2016 | | Eddie Stenger | 26 | Woodbury | 2:45:17 | 2016 | | Brittney Nichole | 27 | Isanti | 3:25:12 |
| 2015 | | Tim Hardy | 40 | North Mankato | 2:41:16 | 2015 | | Susie Fox | 32 | Chaska | 3:18:58 |
| 2015 | | Eddie Stenger | 25 | Lacrosse, Wisconsin | 2:55:41 | 2015 | | Melanie Moriarty | 42 | North Oaks | 3:22:11 |
| 2015 | | Luis Leonardo | 35 | Minnetonka | 2:57:32 | 2015 | | Paula Johnson | 28 | Andover | 3:23:19 |
| 2014 | | Tim Hardy | 39 | North Mankato | 2:33:07 | 2014 | | Laura Edlund | 28 | Minnesota City | 3:09:37 |
| 2014 | | Eric Januszewski | 26 | Grove City | 2:51:56 | 2014 | | Kim Scheel | 38 | Madison Lake | 3:10:44 |
| 2014 | | Todd Landgraff | 37 | North Mankato | 2:54:08 | 2014 | | Paula Morozas | 27 | Andover | 3:12:19 |
| 2013 | | Eric Thies | 24 | Arlington | 2:34:55 | 2013 | | Amy Halseth | 43 | Minneapolis | 2:58:18 |
| 2013 | | Tim Hardy | 38 | North Mankato | 2:36:06 | 2013 | | Laura Gillette | 28 | Goshen, Indiana | 3:01:32 |
| 2013 | | Jake Traxler | 23 | Le Center | 2:39:35 | 2013 | | Michele Asmus | 33 | Austin | 3:07:20 |
| 2012 | | Paul Donnelly | 29 | Minneapolis | 2:49:38 | 2012 | | Leslie Anderson | 35 | Waseca | 3:14:23 |
| 2012 | | Patrick Geary | 25 | Sheridan, Wyoming | 2:53:08 | 2012 | | Dawn Michaud | 38 | Sartell | 3:21:35 |
| 2012 | | Joseph Paille | 23 | Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin | 2:54:27 | 2012 | | Holly Hillstrom | 39 | Mahtomedi | 3:24:51 |
| 2011 | | Brian Sames | 25 | Shakopee | 2:36:18 | 2011 | | Kim Scheel | 35 | Mankato | 3:00:47 |
| 2011 | | Eric Thies | 22 | Arlington | 2:44:49 | 2011 | | Monica Dorn | 32 | Hendricks | 3:01:19 |
| 2011 | | Ronald Hoffman | 34 | Waconia | 2:51:36 | 2011 | | Leslie Anderson | 34 | Waseca | 3:22:11 |
| 2010 | | James Sorenson | 28 | Minneapolis | 2:37:04 | 2010 | | Jen Blue | 35 | North Mankato | 3:06:29 |
| 2010 | | Tim Hardy | 35 | North Mankato | 2:38:48 | 2010 | | Kim Scheel | 34 | Mankato | 3:08:05 |
| 2010 | | Justin Henkel | 34 | Owatonna | 2:44:33 | 2010 | | Monica Dorn | 31 | Walnut Grove | 3:17:09 |
*A "virtual" race was scheduled.

## Half marathon race results

Key:  Course record
All cities in Minnesota unless indicated otherwise
| | Men | Men | Men | Men | Men | Women | Women | Women | Women | Women | Women |
| Year | Place | Name | Age | Hometown | Time | Year | Place | Name | Age | Hometown | Time |
| 2022 | | Mike Friedman | 26 | St. Paul | 1:13:42 | 2022 | | Leah Knowles | 25 | St. Peter | 1:28:42 |
| 2022 | | Jacob Bastyr | 31 | Owatonna | 1:16:45 | 2022 | | Lana Wegner | 34 | Wells | 1:31:16 |
| 2022 | | Josiah Swanson | 30 | Rochester | 1:17:41 | 2022 | | Lori Kelly | 34 | Austin | 1:32:10 |
| 2021 | | Mohammed Bati | 22 | St. Paul | 1:09:32 | 2021 | | Caryn Herrick | 31 | St. Louis Park | 1:27:59 |
| 2021 | | Alex Wischnack | 24 | Kasota | 1:09:38 | 2021 | | Brittany Opatz | 35 | Waconia | 1:29:14 |
| 2021 | | Kurt Keiser | 48 | Jordan | 1:13:45 | 2021 | | Michele Asmus | 41 | Austin | 1:30:46 |
| 2020 | | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | | 2020 | | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | Race canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic* | |
| 2019 | | Dan Greeno | 31 | St. Paul | 1:08:02 | 2019 | | Ashlie Greeno | 27 | St. Paul | 1:19:19 |
| 2019 | | Alex Wischnack | 22 | St. Peter | 1:11:32 | 2019 | | Mary Wirtz | 32 | Rochester | 1:22:19 |
| 2019 | | Jared Genteman | 24 | Eagan | 1:11:49 | 2019 | | Annie Magnusson | 22 | Mankato | 1:25:30 |
| 2018 | | Matt Longen | 24 | Mankato | 1:12:12 | 2018 | | Sasha Gallagher | 23 | Mankato | 1:19:27 |
| 2018 | | Tim Hardy | 43 | North Mankato | 1:12:16 | 2018 | | Janna Swenson | 42 | Minneapolis | 1:28:02 |
| 2018 | | Josiah Swanson | 26 | Rochester | 1:12:34 | 2018 | | Michele Asmus | 38 | Austin | 1:29:35 |
| 2017 | | Josiah Swanson | 25 | Rochester | 1:13:11 | 2017 | | Lena Wegner | 29 | Walters | 1:27:10 |
| 2017 | | Bart Johnson | 31 | Marshall | 1:14:19 | 2017 | | Alyssa Breu | 28 | St. Paul | 1:32:19 |
| 2017 | | Daniel Gerber | 27 | Richfield | 1:14:55 | 2017 | | Carmen Jaskulke | 41 | Granada | 1:32:40 |
| 2016 | | Josiah Swanson | 24 | Rochester | 1:12:33 | 2016 | | Cynthia Jerop | 21 | Lakeville | 1:15:09 |
| 2016 | | Kai Sill | 30 | Mankato | 1:17:21 | 2016 | | Laura Paulsen | 27 | Brookline, Massachusetts | 1:15:59 |
| 2016 | | Thomas Schiltz | 20 | Mankato | 1:23:57 | 2016 | | Amy Feit | 36 | Luverne | 1:27:23 |
| 2015 | | Dan Greeno | 27 | Richfield | 1:07:46 | 2015 | | Lindsay Henkels | 35 | Mankato | 1:21:55 |
| 2015 | | Josiah Swanson | 23 | Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin | 1:10:58 | 2015 | | Kristen Mullen | 32 | North Mankato | 1:30:47 |
| 2015 | | Nick Ross | 26 | Minneapolis | 1:11:15 | 2015 | | Janet Smith | 34 | Dundas | 1:31:07 |
| 2014 | | Christopher Gruenhagen | 31 | Brookings, South Dakota | 1:11:19 | 2014 | | Lindsay Henkels | 34 | Mankato | 1:23:10 |
| 2014 | | Garrett Eklof | 24 | Madison, Wisconsin | 1:12:06 | 2014 | | Alyssa Westrup | 26 | North Mankato | 1:27:00 |
| 2014 | | Eric Thies | 25 | Apple Valley | 1:12:20 | 2014 | | Greta Sieve | 27 | New Ulm | 1:27:11 |
| 2013 | | Chris Erichsen | 27 | Minneapolis | 1:09:55 | 2013 | | Elizabeth Yetzer | 25 | Lakeville | 1:18:25 |
| 2013 | | Christopher Gruenhagen | 30 | Brookings, South Dakota | 1:12:34 | 2013 | | Lindsay Henkels | 33 | Mankato | 1:22:19 |
| 2013 | | Joe Metcalf | 38 | Glencoe | 1:13:23 | 2013 | | Joyce Bourassa | 46 | Lakeville | 1:26:37 |
| 2012 | | Seth Brickley | 25 | Mound | 1:09:15 | 2012 | | Danielle Stack | 22 | Mankato | 1:17:24 |
| 2012 | | Nicholas Jamnick | 23 | Becker | 1:10:28 | 2012 | | Lindsay Henkels | 32 | Mankato | 1:19:33 |
| 2012 | | Christopher Gruenhagen | 29 | Brookings, South Dakota | 1:11:01 | 2012 | | Andrea Rediger | 23 | Plymouth | 1:20:35 |
| 2011 | | Peter Gilman | 36 | Rochester | 1:09:52 | 2011 | | Greta Sieve | 24 | New Ulm | 1:20:18 |
| 2011 | | Jeff Stuckenbaker | 25 | Windom | 1:10:28 | 2011 | | McKenzie Holt | 15 | St. Cloud | 1:21:58 |
| 2011 | | Nick Ross | 23 | Hastings | 1:10:31 | 2011 | | Lindsay Henkels | 31 | Mankato | 1:23:10 |
| 2010 | | John VanDanacker | 48 | Greenfield | 1:15:36 | 2010 | | Elisa Johnson | 32 | Janesville | 1:27:36 |
| 2010 | | John Hage | 28 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 1:22:10 | 2010 | | Keri Brown | 33 | Garfield | 1:30:15 |
| 2010 | | Jacob Kocak | 25 | River Falls, Wisconsin | 1:22:31 | 2010 | | Ashley Hertling | 26 | New Ulm | 1:32:21 |
*A "virtual" race was scheduled.