We Walk! Course
The course for the We Walk! Marathon and Half Marathon is on the Lake Wobegon ® Regional Trail in
central Minnesota. The course travels through rural Minnesota encountering
interesting small towns, lakes, wet lands and farms. This is the area of
Minnesota that provided the foundation for Garrison Keillor's
The News from Lake Wobegon.
In the late spring, this central Minnesota is green and growing. You'll have a chance to see a wide variety of birds, and if you are lucky a beaver, muskrat, or deer. Most of all, you'll get to experience the peace of rural Minnesota.
Each half mile along the course are Lake Wobegon Trail mile markers. The numbers on these markers approximate the number of miles from Minneapolis on the old railroad line. When we measured the course, we checked the spacing of these mile markers and they are, except for one, placed quite accurately (and that one is 10% off). You will always know how much further you have to go, if you just remember that the finish line is at mile marker 82. The marathon starts just west of mile marker 108, while the half marathon starts just west of mile marker 95.
If you like web based mapping, try the course map on USA Track & Field's Running Routes. If you have the free copy of Google Earth, download this Google Earth Place file (We Walk Marathon.kmz) and open it with Google Earth.
The marathon course starts in Melrose, less than a block away from a typical small town Minnesota church, and right in front of the town museum. The start is located on the eastern edge of the downtown area.
The course heads east on the Lake Wobegon Trail, and one is quickly out of Melrose. Ahead lie the Saux River and 5¾ miles of small farms.
As you enter Freeport, you can see the Main Street shops a short block away on the left side of the trail. If you feel the need for food or refreshment, try Charlie's Cafe, or for those interested in a quicker stop, try the Corner Store, Smiley Gas Mart or the First Stop Convenience Center. For those doing the marathon relay, Relay Exchange Zone 1 is in the center of town.
The course heads southeast out of Freeport, and one is quickly in rural Minnesota. The next 5 miles are the straightest and flattest you will probably ever see in a marathon. Just as the trail bends before you enter Albany, you'll go under a high, wooden trestle railroad bridge.
In Albany, you can see the Railroad Avenue shops a block away on the left side of the trail. For those doing the marathon relay, Relay Exchange Zone 2 is at Railroad Avenue and 5th Street.
The course continues east out of Albany. Just outside of town is the halfway point for the marathon, and the start for the half marathon. The next 6 miles is the most peaceful part of the course, with roads far away and the small lakes and woodlots right next to the course.
In Avon, the shops are all on Avon Ave, the only major road you'll cross in town. You have to walk a few blocks to the right on Avon Avenue to visit the Cabin Cafe. For those doing the marathon relay, Relay Exchange Zone 3 is where Barracuda Ave crosses the trail.
The course continues southeast out of town, winding through small farms. About 5 miles out, you'll encounter the Collegeville Station historic marker on your right. One last curve, then a 3 miles of gentle downhill to the finish. This is the longest leg of the marathon relay, almost 9 miles.
The finish line is on the northern edge of St. Joseph at Lake Wobegon Trail mile marker 82.
The Details
The Lake Wobegon Regional Trail is a 10 foot (3 meter) wide asphalt trail built on a no longer used railroad right-of-way. The trail surface is in good condition, providing a smooth walking surface.
Because it is built on an old railroad right-of-way, there are no steep hills. In fact, the whole trail is pretty flat, with the longest uphill gaining only 75 feet (23 meters) over 3½ miles (5.6 km). Not only that, but the start is at a higher elevation than the finish, with a nice, long and gentle downhill taking you the last 5 miles (8 km) into the finish. Check out the course profile for yourself on on USA Track & Field Running Routes interactive course map.
There is no camber (side to side slope), making the course easier on the ankles.
The marathon course starts in Melrose. The half marathon course starts in the eastern outskirts of Albany.
Course Certification
A USATF Certified Course insures that the course is correctly measured for the advertised distance.
- Marathon is USATF Certified Course MN-08011-RR - certification map
- Half Marathon is USATF Certified Course MN-08010-RR - certification map