FARGO — The weather for the Fargo Marathon over the course of the first 20 years was a mixture of just about everything, from snow flurries in the first year to rain, cold, heat and humidity after that. Saturday may provide yet another obstacle.

Smoke.

Large wildfires in Canada are expected to infiltrate the Upper Midwest this weekend, and runners in the marathon may not only see the effects but smell them, too.

“Right now it looks like smoke will be the biggest issue for the marathon,” said WDAY meteorologist Jesse Ritka.

It may not be as noticeable for the front runners of the 26.2-mile race, which starts at 7 a.m. on 17th Avenue between the Fargodome and the Sanford Health Athletic Complex. But those taking four or five hours or longer may not be spared.

“The longer folks are on th

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