Saturday, October 12, 2024 • Belle Plaine, MN • Course Map
The 14th annual Scenic Byway Half Marathon & 5K gets underway this October as part of an effort to continue supporting clean-up efforts of a 61-acre site on the banks of the Minnesota River Valley along the northern edge of Belle Plaine, Minnesota.
The races start at Court Square Park in Belle Plaine and continue along the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway Loop. Both the half marathon and 5K courses are USATF certified and chip-timed, making this race a great, competitive running opportunity among the peak-of-harvest beauty along the Minnesota River Valley.
The Belle Plaine Chamber of Commerce is working with local and national businesses, as well as various governmental agencies on the MN River Valley Cleanup Project, which helped fund efforts to remove more than 1,200 tons of material from a contaminated, former salvage yard.
Funds raised from the race will go toward promotion of Belle Plaine and its unique location as the last stop on the MN River Valley Scenic Byway, as well as environmental projects, including the ongoing Minnesota River Valley Cleanup Project. This project has a long-range goal of extending biking and hiking trails from the Twin Cities to Mankato.
The race begins and ends at Court Square Park, which is home to the nation’s only two-story outhouse. Following a course with moderately hilly stretches and mostly flat terrain, the Belle Plaine Scenic Byway Half Marathon takes runners on a circular loop of quiet country roads that encompasses the beautiful Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway, a 287-mile stretch of River Valley in which Belle Plaine is the last stop.
Anderson Race Management will help organize the events, which include chip timing, awards, medals and a post-race party with food, entertainment and kids activities at Court Square for participants and families. The half marathon starts at 9:00 AM, while the 5K race gets underway at 9:20 AM.
Race description provided by the Belle Plaine Chamber of Commerce
Race Weather & Climate
Located between the Twin Cities and Mankato, Belle Plaine experiences moderately warm summers and very cold winters. In October, record temperatures here have reached as low as 3°F and as high as 90°F.
- October 12 average low temp: 41ºF
- October 12 average high temp: 62ºF
Past Results
- 2023 Results
- 2022 Results
- 2020 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2019 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2018 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2017 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2015 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2014 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2013 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2012 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
- 2011 Scenic Byway Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the Scenic Byway Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
- 8:30 AM – Bike 13.1 fun run
- 8:45 AM – kids fun run
- 9:00 AM – half marathon, two-person relay
- 9:20 AM – 5K
Fees
- $40 and up – half marathon
- $60 and up – 2-person half marathon relay (per team)
- $30 and up – 5K
- $10 and up – kids’ fun run
- $30 and up – Bike tour
Registration
To reserve your spot in the 2024 running of the Scenic Byway Half Marathon or 5K race, register online at RaceRoster.com here.
Official Race Website
Comments
Ever run in the Scenic Byway Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.
