FARGO — The Fargo Marathon isn't what it once was, but what is?

In a town that's bored with national championships from its local college football team, it's unlikely a marathon could retain the juice of its glory years.

On historic Eighth Street south of downtown, the evidence was clear Saturday morning.

What was once Party Central for the marathon, with booze and bands, looked and sounded closer to a golf tournament than a kegger.

Different vibe from the heyday of 10 years ago when the street was lined with people and parties, especially on the end nearer downtown.

"It isn't quite the same. I used to go hard all morning," chuckled Gary Haugo, sitting in a lawn chair along the boulevard in the 800 block of Eighth Street South. "Now, I'll probably wait until 10:30 and have one beer. M

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