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All the United States Texas Alpine Target Marathon
Target Marathon is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

AO Edited

Target Marathon

This is probably not the Target you're looking for.

Alpine, Texas

Added By
Tony Dunnell
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Target Marathon   zombieite
Target Marathon   zombieite
  zombieite
  zombieite
  zombieite
  Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
The interior of Target Marathon could use a bit of refurbishment   WGTMMike / Atlas Obscura User
  WGTMMike / Atlas Obscura User
  WGTMMike / Atlas Obscura User
  WGTMMike / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
The funniest part is the shopping cart!   jschmidt / Atlas Obscura User
  cait7911 / Atlas Obscura User
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
  Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
  Spencer Darr / Atlas Obscura User
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About

At some point in 2016, persons unknown adorned a tiny cinderblock shack along US 90 with the big-box chain Target's lettering and bullseye logo. Located about 15 miles outside Marathon (pop. 430) in Brewster County, Texas, the shack is now unofficially known as the Target Marathon.

The raison d'être of the Target Marathon remains unclear. It was perhaps inspired by the Prada Marfa, an art project in the West Texas desert. Unlike the Prada Marfa, however, no one has ever claimed to have created the Target Marathon. Both “stores” are non-operational, although the Prada Marfa does at least contain some Prada merchandise.

The tiny Target contains absolutely nothing, save for some sand and an occasional desert creature sheltering from the midday sun. So if you’re trundling along US 90 and spot the bullseye up ahead, don’t get all excited about discount goods.

But if you appreciate unusual art installations, if that’s what you can call the Target Marathon, then pull over and have a look. Don’t delay, however, or it might not be there at all. As no one has claimed ownership of the Target Marathon, and it could conceivably be stripped, knocked down, or otherwise altered at any time.

Update November 2021: The structure has been torn down.

Related Tags

Art Shops Prank

Know Before You Go

The Target Marathon is located about 15 miles west of Marathon on the way to Alpine. You’ll see it on the south side of the US 90 alongside some railroad tracks. Entrance is free for humans, rattlesnakes and all other desert dwellers. Target REDcards are not accepted.

Community Contributors

Added By

Tony Dunnell

Edited By

notoriousFIG, Spencer Darr, WGTMMike, jschmidt...

  • notoriousFIG
  • Spencer Darr
  • WGTMMike
  • jschmidt
  • cait7911

Published

June 14, 2018

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Sources
  • http://www.wideopencountry.com/target-marathon-texas/
  • http://texashillcountry.com/smallest-target-store-marathon-texas/
Target Marathon
US-90
Alpine, Texas
United States
30.308381, -103.459904
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