Mark Knutson cause of death, obituary, funeral: What happened to Fargo Marathon director?

Publish date: 2024-05-03

This article will shed light on Mark Knutson’s obituary, cause of death and funeral. Let’s delve into the subject.

Early on Sunday morning in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the director of the Fargo Marathon died after losing control of his bicycle and falling into the path of an oncoming pickup vehicle pulling a boat.

According to a news release from the Detroit Lakes Police Department, the 53-year-old cyclist, Mark Knutson, was evacuated by helicopter to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, where he passed away from his wounds.

The Fargo Marathon is an annual road running marathon in Fargo, North Dakota, first held in 2005. Most years, it begins and ends inside the Fargodome, and the course also travels through Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo’s twin city.

The first Fargo Marathon began on the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Red River between Minnesota and North Dakota on May 14, 2005. The inaugural event weekend featured a 5K on Friday and an 8 a.m. half marathon, marathon, and marathon relay on Saturday.

There were around 3,000 participants in the races, and cash prizes were given out, with the marathon’s top prize being $400. A “pasta/lefse feed” for pre-race carbo-loading was offered during those years, and local musicians performed on the course (there were 25 live bands at the course in the early years).

Mark Knutson established and managed the race at a time when local races were gaining popularity as tourist attractions and venues where cities could establish themselves as being health-focused communities.

The races also provided local competitors with opportunities to showcase their abilities without having to travel abroad.

In its second year, the race weekend gathered competitors from three nations and 46 states, generating an estimated $1.5 million in additional revenue for neighbourhood businesses and nonprofit organizations.

One of the most well-attended competitions drew close to 2,000 runners: the half marathon. It also led to a partnership with the Lake Agassiz Arts Council, which supported the “Herd About the Prairie” art exhibition, which concentrated on Native themes.

At a period when local races were becoming increasingly popular as tourist attractions and venues for cities to establish themselves as health-focused communities, Mark Knutson founded and managed the race. Additionally, local athletes who would otherwise need to travel abroad to get their talent recognized had a chance to showcase their abilities in the races.

In its second year, the race weekend attracted participants from three nations and 46 states, with an anticipated economic gain of $1.5 million for nearby companies and nonprofits. One of the most well-attended events, the half marathon attracted close to 2,000 participants.

The Lake Agassiz Arts Council funded the “Herd About the Prairie” art exhibition, which gave rise to a partnership with them.

Although he continued to serve as the event’s director, Knutson sold the competition to Rugged Races in 2019. On March 11 in North Dakota, the COVID-19 virus was first detected in a known case in 2020. Within two days, the nation started to collapse, prompting North Dakota to declare a state of emergency.

The marathon was postponed, but it became evident that it could not go on because of the increase in cases in the summer of 2020. All participants were offered the choice of receiving a refund, having the race postponed until 2021, or doing the marathon on their own schedule.

Fargo Marathon Mark Knutson cause of death, obituary, funeral

As mentioned above, Mark Knutson died on Sunday morning in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, after losing control of his bicycle and falling into the path of an oncoming pickup vehicle pulling a boat. According to a news release from the Detroit Lakes Police Department, the 53-year-old cyclist, Mark Knutson, was evacuated by helicopter to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, where he passed away from his wounds.

According to Detroit Lakes Police Chief Steve Todd, the accident, which happened at around 7:06 a.m. on the 1100 block of South Shore Drive, was recorded on a resident’s home security camera. He said that the video verified the police statements made by the pickup truck’s driver.

“With the information we have available at this time, it does not appear the pickup violated any criminal or traffic laws,” Todd said.

The Facebook page for the Fargo Marathon said he was more than just the race director; he was “its very essence,” the post read on Monday.

“He poured his heart and soul into his family and friends, his events, the Fargo and Detroit Lakes community, and was a dear friend to so many within the running community and beyond. The void left by Mark’s untimely passing is immeasurable,” the post read. “His absence will be deeply felt by the entire Fargo community and the running world at large. We will miss him dearly.”

Mark Knutson’s funeral arrangement will be announced later.

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