Joe Vigil is a full-time running educator, motivator and speaker. He's also a part-time historian.
The guest speaker at the inaugural Scheels Fargo Marathon said the New York Marathon had about 178 people in its first event.
"Now it brings in 178 million dollars," Vigil said. "In selling this project to the community, it's a great start. You're ahead of the game."
That was the sentiment of others on Friday. About 2,700 participants are scheduled for today's marathon, half marathon, marathon relay and 5K.
It won't reach New York Marathon status, but the number of registered runners for the Fargo event has surpassed all expectations.
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"I thought that if you got 500, that would be great," said Fargo Mayor Bruce Furness. "These guys put it together. I think this will be a million- dollar race in the future. It will have a huge impact on the image of Fargo."
Said renowned marathoner Dick Beardsley, a resident of Detroit Lakes, Minn.: "I'm so overwhelmed at the excitement. I can feel it even living in Detroit Lakes. I can only see this race getting bigger and bigger every year."
Furness has been a booster of the event since co-race directors Mark Knutson and Mike Almquist approached him with the marathon concept almost two years ago. Furness may even get to fire the starting gun, although he may get competition from North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven.
"He and I are going to arm-wrestle on who gets to start the race," Furness said. "We'll have that side event going as well."
If the winners of the men's and women's marathon today are from out of town, they can go home for free. They'll each get a Northwest Airlines voucher in addition to $400.
It's not elite-like prize money, but it is a bonus nonetheless.
Second place in each division receives $300 and third place is good for $200.
The top three in each age division will get $50, $25 and $15 gift certificates, respectively.
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Each half marathon overall winner gets $200. Second place is $150 and third $100.
Marathon runners going through the North Dakota State section of the course may notice a group of Bison fans on the south side of Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
The NDSU Alumni Association and the University Relations office are coordinating an "NDSU Fan Site." They are being encouraged to wear green and yellow.
Encouragement will be needed: the fan site is between miles 23 and 24 of the marathon.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546
