Circle the Lake Half Marathon
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Circle the Lake
Circle the Lake is a community road race around Circle Lake in rural Rice County, Minnesota, held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The event starts and finishes at the historic Millersburg School House and follows roads along the lake shore.
- 5K
- 10K
- Half marathon
The courses run over rolling hills on a mix of paved and dirt roads and include views of the island in Circle Lake. It is possible to spot bald eagles, osprey, deer, ducks, and pelicans along the route. Part of the course follows Dodd Road, a route that was used by the Jesse James Gang on September 6, 1876.
All races are chip timed, with posted mile markers and water and sports drinks available throughout the course. The event welcomes competitive racers, families, children, seniors, and dogs. The course is iPod friendly; participants are asked to be aware of their surroundings and traffic when using headphones.
The race is organized by the Circle Lake Association as a charity event. Proceeds fund lake watershed and water quality projects. In the previous year the event raised over $32,000, which was used to purchase three new aerators to reduce invasive weeds and algae and to promote a healthier fish habitat. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
