Jerry Dunn; Race Director
Deadwood – Mickelson Trail Marathon
Ejdunn@mato.com
www.deadwoodmickelsontrailmarathon.com
www.marathonman.org
Phone: 605 642 2382
Fax: 605 645 2073
BAPTISM BY FIRE
You’d think that a guy who has run as many marathons as I have, and knows
as many race directors as I do would think twice, or maybe even three or
four times, about creating and directing a brand new marathon. But NO,
when I heard rumor that my buddy Terry Smith was going to put on a new
race on the Mickelson Trail, I hounded him until he consented to let me
help. Did I say help? I charged in and took over. I’m not one to sit back
and watch while other people do things….something about being in control.
Well, I had all the control I could handle, lemme tell ya. I’m not
suggesting that I didn’t have plenty of volunteer help…..on race
day…..but I am suggesting that I did everything from designing and
ordering the medals and T-shirts, to standing road guard on race day,
when a couple of my volunteers abandoned their post. And ya know what……I
thrived on it all.
Now I already have a reputation of being a show off, a publicity seeker,
and even a legend….in my own mind, but I must report, with all humility
aside….this was an extremely successful and well run event, given that we
only 3 months lead time and a rookie race director. I was aided
considerably by the sheer beauty of the course, but as you all know: the
course alone, does not a marathon make.
Many of the runners, who by the way, came from 20 different states,
commented on what great aid station people we had, and, that we didn’t
run out of anything. Most of the aid station folks had helped Terry with
his 100 miler on the Centennial Trail, so they knew what to do, and how
to do it.
So with one of the country’s most scenic courses; experienced aid station
personnel; and a race director that got only 6 hours sleep between Friday
morning and Sunday night, this inaugural marathon was destined to be a
success.
(I’d be interested to know what those two authors who rate marathons all
around the world would have to say about this one. I guess I’ll just
invite them to next year’s edition of the Deadwood – Mickelson Trail
Marathon and find out.).
Needless to say, even though the event went extremely well, I learned a
few things…..like, don’t offer an early start, just start the whole thing
earlier; delegate more tasks, like putting out cones and barricades; have
more "floating" volunteers who can fill in, where needed, on the spur of
the moment; use chip timing instead of the "tear tag" method; and have
the awards ceremony much earlier, like 6 hours after the start instead of
4 in the afternoon.
From all aspects of the event, it WAS a success, and I must give credit
to all those who helped, including the Director of all events……God. As
with all the other running projects that I have orchestrated, I depended
on a power and wisdom greater than my own, and once again…….to God be the
glory.
I am excited about beginning to plan for the 2003 version of The
Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon. The new and improved version is going
to be even better than this year’s. We’ll be adding an official
half-marathon, and plans are in the works to create the easiest 100 mile
ultra in the country. I also hope to institute a Kid’s Marathon. In
addition to all of this, there will be an expo on Friday and Saturday. So
I encourage, no, I invite, all of you, to put us on your calendar for
June 8, 2003. Plan to come in on Thursday so that you can make the most
of your trip to The Black Hills of South Dakota…..there’s a lot to see
and do besides the marathon.
"WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, OR DREAM YOU CAN DO, BEGIN IT.
BOLDNESS HAS GENUIS, POWER, AND MAGIC IN IT." Goethe
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