Drop dead gorgeous run... but very difficult in 95-degree heat and, for those of us from sea level, high altitude. Also, the first 13 miles are relentlessly uphill. Add 15-20 minutes to your normal marathon time (or in my case, 30 minutes). Also note that the aid stations are pretty far apart during the first 20 miles... about 2.5 miles between each one. With the layout of the trail, I don't think they could add more. So, especially with the heat, consider bringing a fuel belt or a bottle to carry extra. I wish that I had done this. Great scenery overall in the area, and Deadwood is a nifty town; just be ready for casinos. Everything is a casino. Even the local grocery store has slot machines. Another comment below mentions the lack of options for carbo loading. 'Better head to Rapid City'. Folks, this is a miracle of understatement. Unless you want to eat THE BEST STEAK IN TOWN (lots of restaurants purport to offer this) at a restaurant inside a smoky casino, your options are few.

Anyway, the run itself is very well organized and beautiful. Aid stations are well-stocked with Powerade (no Ultima - woohoo!), and some with snacks. Very friendly volunteers. Crowds were light because this is a trail marathon. But when you encountered spectators (like when the trail crossed a road), they were great. It helped that our bibs had our names prominently printed on them. Nice to hear my name, especially in a place where I don't know anyone. And thankfully, nobody was saying 'you're almost there' at mile 3! If I do it again, I'll probably stick with the half... it's run on the second half of the marathon course and is all downhill.

I loved this marathon! It's virtually all on the Mikkelson Trail, which has an ideal surface to run on. Not too hard, not too soft! You run past trickling creeks and black cliffs. Absolutely gorgeous! Don't expect a PR - the first half is all uphill, but so gradual you can't see it. Your legs will know though - my quads were screaming. The last half is a blast, with more elevation loss than gain. If you don't live at altitude, that will slow you down too - it's all at about 4,000 to 6,000 feet elevation. The organization is terrific - these guys pay attention to detail. Deadwood is a tough town to carbo-load in - better to head to Rapid City.

This was my first marathon, and what a great way to start! The ascent was very gentle and not very noticable, as you had so much else to look at and think about! Not many spectators, but the ones that were there were fabulous! Jerry Dunn is a wonderful person, and does a great job organizing this race. Weather was perfectly cool, and the packed gravel trail is easy on those legs. May need more portable toilets at the start next time, expecially if the race gets any bigger. I'm planning to attempt it again next year, and I think my family may try and make this one their inaugural marathon as well! Thanks for a great time!

This was my 3rd trail run to date, and it was by far the most beautiful. The first 13 miles uphill, plus the altitude, was difficult for someone who lives in an area only about 35 feet above sea level! Loved it anyway! Jerry Dunn did a great job directing and organizing, even though many, many more people showed up to run than he had imagined. He proved he was more than up to the challenge!! I've run in smaller and bigger races that were much less organized than this one. There were few fans on the course, but I don't have to have people yelling at me to encourage me (in fact it tends to bug me). The volunteers who were out there were more than friendly and very willing to cheer you on and help you in any way they could. Deadwood is a great marathon with great people. I will definitely recommend it to my running friends. Thanks again, Jerry, for a great race.

As the previous runners have said, there we not many spectators, but then I don't run to be watched anyway. What counts is the course, the organization, my fellow runners, and the scenery. All of these were topnotch!
The elevation was hard on us Floridians (the highest point in our state is under 400 feet), but the cool air was wonderful. A 3% uphill grade does not sound like much, but you could sure tell when we started the 3% downhill grade.
Running through the snow along the trail was a real treat, as well as running over the bridges and through the tunnel. I am trying to do all 50 states, but this is definitely one I will do again.
You can't go wrong by signing up for this one!
Congratulations to the race director and crew!

South Dakota hospitality, beautiful scenery, and a 'well organized' marathon made a weekend worthy of the praise: 'It just doesn't get any better than this!!!'

If all you like is asphalt and a cheering crowd, there isn't much of that in this marathon. But as far as nature, beauty, and clean air, I have not seen anything like this in my 53 previous marathons I have walked. This picture-perfect scenery is just breathtaking. The first 12.5 miles are a constant, gradual, uphill climb; very manageable, if you don't try to break any records. The rest is mostly downhill. Organization was great, and everyone involved was wonderful. This marathon is definitely on the list of those I would want to do again.

This run is spectacularly beautiful, through the Black Hills of SD.

It starts with a 3-degree climb from the start to mile 13. Then, there's a 3-degree decline to mile 18, a cliff of a drop, a mountian at 19, and then it's all downhill.

As an 'East-Coaster', the altitude got to me early. 5-6,000 feet is a lot to those of us who are used to a more oxygen-rich race. The first half took quite a bit out of me, but this could easily be a negative-split course.

Race Director Jerry Dunn was suprised that his marathon went from 75 last year to 500 this year, but from the outcome, you would thought that he had planned this way.

While there were few spectators on the course, support was good, and was made up for by the views.

This is a must-do marathon.

This was my 33rd race of 26.2 miles or more, and it had to be the prettiest ever! I had never seen this part of the country (the Black Hills), and the Mickleson Trail gives you a wonderful off-the-beaten-track view of the scenery. Beautiful rolling hills, spreading green meadows, wooden bridges crossing rushing streams, even an old tunnel through the rock. I enjoyed talking with runners from many different states (I think 38 states were represented), as well as some nice, introspective, solo running as I enjoyed nature. The consistant 3% grade uphill the first half certainly drained my legs, plus the altitude that was higher than my usual Ohio level left me a bit winded, but it was a small price to pay, and it only made the downhill all the sweeter.

I rate the spectators low, simply because there weren't any. There were a few lone spouses here and there, where the trail crossed a 2-lane, dirt road, and the volunteers manning the water stations were right where they were supposed to be, and were very helpful and friendly. It almost felt like a blow against nature to come upon one person standing and clapping for you!

This was a marathon of contrasts for me. I so loved the natural aspect of the run, and had the honor of meeting Hajime Nishi, the Japanese runner who advocates 'eco-marathoning' (being an aware runner, both to nature and to different cultures), contrasted with the town that was the base for the marathon. I feel like Deadwood has sold itself to tourism and gambling, and is no longer a real, living town (or has its real citizens and life buried deeply behind the facade maintained for tourists). I don't like gambling, so that really turned me off. Such a shame.

However, if you want a gorgeous run through gentle nature, come. Jerry Dunn works his hardest to make it all come together for us, and he did great this year coping with a marathon that grew three-fold in numbers.

For a first time marathon, it was a great success. A small field of runners, I think about 200. Run in the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota this race offered quite a bit in terms of a challenging run (took me 20 minutes longer than my usual 3:40 times) and being very easy on the eyes. Runners boarded buses in Deadwood and began what seemed like a long slow winding ride through the Black Hills to the starting line. I could not believe how slow these buses motored up the hills and I thought it pretty comical. But the bus ride really added to the laid back spirit of the run and environment. The race itself started right on time (although I think about an hour later than it should have) by organizer, Jerry Dunn. Very cool start at about 35 degrees, and as the day progressed, it warmed up quite a bit to about 75 (if you run this, bring your sun-block). The marathon is run on an abandonded Burlington rail bed which has a nice forgiving surface. The last mile or two back into Deadwood is paved. The first half marathon is uphill on a gradual incline (remember it was once a rail line) and the last half is basically down hill. For this flatlander from Illinois, this course proved challenging (as I recall: altitude 4500 to 6500 feet or so) for although the incline was gradual, it is necessary to really pace yourself. For those visiting Deadwood with families with small children as I had, Deadwood is not exactly a great place for kids. A casino employee barked at my kids for standing too close to a one-armed bandit. Super support on the trail from volunteers and a very nice post race event. Jerry Dunn, you done it right. I'll definately have another go at this one. Don't change the bus ride!.