VIDEO: FARGO MARATHON'S MAIN EVENT KICKS OFF SATURDAY MORNING

WDAY NEWS AT 6

FARGO—Marathon organizers say they're excited for the main event of the week.

Organizer Mark Knutson is prepared for the 12,000 runners who will take to the streets Saturday morning.

It began 13 years ago with a few hundred racers competing in a half-marathon.

Special guests this year include an IronMan Triathlon announcer and the director of the Boston Marathon.

Race organizers say marathons like Fargo's are about much more than completion times and winning.

"We help raise the level of confidence and self-esteem of tens of thousands of people in America. That's what we do, all of us. That's what we do." Boston Marathon Director Dave McGillivray tells us.

The marathon kicks off Saturday morning at 7.

Fargo's race is a Boston Marathon qualifying course.

We'll carry full televised coverage of the marathon on WDAY and here on our website.