The 11th annual Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon is held in Bemidji, Minnesota, located in the northern part of the state. The event is themed to celebrate the folklore of Paul Bunyan and the north woods.
The race starts and finishes near two iconic city landmarks, the statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Runners make their way through a mix of urban and natural landscapes. The course winds through residential streets, paved paths in Lake Bemidji State Park, and along the shores of Lake Bemidji. The terrain is relatively flat, with minimal elevation changes.