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Apr 29, 2024

Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.9

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 110 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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A. D. from New York City (6/9/2009) "Wonderful Trail Marathon" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a wonderful, scenic, trail marathon. The trail is pretty resistant to rain, and was muddy/slick in only a few spots even though it had rained all night. We were very lucky, as the rain stopped as we got to the starting line and remained only a drizzle until we finished. The organizers did a good job getting us from the parking lots to the start, and from the finish line back to the parking lots. The map on the website shows a constant 800-foot climb from miles 2-13, followed by a constant 1600-foot drop from 13-26. This was amazingly true, as there was almost no rolling hills except for a small but annoying uphill around mile 19-20. If you can curb your enthusiasm during the uphill climb, you almost have a guaranteed negative split on the second half. Just make sure your knees and quads are trained for the downhill part. The trail has plenty of year round markers on it, so it's pretty hard to feel lost. The pack does get pretty spread out, so you should be prepared for that. However, there are only a few places where you could possibly get lost, and then you only have to look for the trail sign. Most of the spectators were volunteers at the fluid stations, runner entourages, or relay runners. I'm a 50-stater, and I would recommend this marathon as the South Dakota Marathon because of my experience, and because its held in June - when there are only a few marathons scheduled in the U.S.
Dave Graves from Vola, S.D. (6/8/2009) "Beauty never gets old" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This is the fourth time I have run this race and was thinking it was time for a change in my marathon routine. But running it again is enough to inspire me to want to return. There isn't a quarter-mile on the 26.2-mile route that doesn't have beauty, even on an overcast and misty morning like we had this year. Using the Mickelson Trail also eliminates the need for crossing guards and isolates runners from the outside world. It's nothing but you, your fellow runners, and God's creation. Spectator viewpoints are limited, but those trailheads and crossings do draw a good throng of well-wishers of participants. The aid stations were well spaced, and the offering of fruit was appreciated. Signs designating which table offered water and which offered sports drink were appreciated. At the finish line it was encouraging to be greeted by running legend and race director Jerry Dunn. The chocolate milk at the refreshment table tasted great. My only suggestion for the race would be to have some type of shelter at the starting line. With buses taking runners to the start more than an hour before the start, there could be a real problem if it would rain, which almost happened this year. I would suggest a tent, or opening up the fire hall or chapel, if possible. Otherwise, there could be hundreds of soaked runners waiting around for the race to start.
John Wog from Santa Monica, CA (9/30/2008) "Well put together race/Beautiful scenery" (about: 2008) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything about this race is fantastic. Great scenery, nice tech shirt and a really cool medal. Jerry and all the volunteers are great and had a lot of enthusiasm. There is a trolley that picks runners up and drops you back off at your hotel. The town of Deadwood is a lot of fun also. No one I met - including the runners - could have been any nicer. Thanks, Jerry!!
M. M. from Iowa (7/26/2008) "And The 2008 USATF Trail Marathon Championships" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Good race, beautiful trail, and the 2008 USA Championships too! The complete package for any trail marathoner, beginner to elite. The organizers make everyone feel welcome. Racing is a great way to meet people, and this race is no exception. I talked to some interesting people before, during and after the race.
R. B. from New York, NY (7/15/2008) "Very scenic, challenging and well put together" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first time in South Dakota and I really enjoyed the area and race. The region around Deadwood is stunning in natural beauty (Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, Goldmines, and Lake Pactola) and the people that I met where extremely friendly and fun. The race director did an amazing job organizing the event, there were adequate aid stations, the course was very tough and challenging, which was fun, many great volunteers lined the course, and the bus transportation to the start was on time and very convenient. There weren't a ton of spectators (which is expected since this is a wilderness trail race), but the ones around where very vibrant and encouraging. As you approach the last two miles outside of Deadwood, there are many more spectators and a lot of energy down the final stretch. I'd highly recommend this race to anyone who loves adventure, fresh air, a challenge and exploring the real Wild West! Also, the medals were top-notch (engraved and heavy) and the shirts were blaze orange and made out of a Dri-Fit type of material.
N. M. from St. Louis, MO (7/8/2008) "Beautiful Course" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Beautiful scenery on this "trail" marathon. The trail is a converted rail line, so it's smooth and flat. The first 13 miles went uphill, and with the elevation, it definitely could be felt. Not a PR course, but the views of the black hills make up for it. We stayed at the Days of 76 campground. For RVers or tents, it was great because you could walk right to the bus for the ride to the start. At the finish line, the bus brought us right back to the campground area. Earlier posters were correct that there are not many places to eat in Deadwood other than in the casinos. (We brought our own food for the night before.) The city of Deadwood was very welcoming and the organization of the race was super. The weather was nice but was cool at the start and you have to wait outside for awhile before the start. It did hail for awhile in the middle of the race but stopped after about 15 minutes and the sun came out. I guess the lesson is to be prepared for any kind of weather. I definitely recommend the race if you like smaller-sized marathons with great views!
T. H. from Ottawa Hills, OH (7/4/2008) "Peak for the half marathon" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I can't speak for the full marathon but the half is a winner. I wasn't in shape to run that uphill portion of the marathon, so I opted for the downhill half. This is one fast course. Having the word "Trail" in the name of the race shouldn't dissuade anyone from wearing racing flats. The course is run on crushed red rock - no ankle-busters here. Organization was top notch, from the shuttle buses, to the porta-johns, to the speed of the results being posted at the race. As far as Deadwood, the casinos had a Mom and Pop feel to them. (Depending on your Mom and Pop.) They weren't crowded, and all the dealers were friendly. If that's not for you, travel in any direction. Devil's Tower to the northwest, and Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, Custer State Park are all within a two-hour drive. Face it, if you're not from this part of the country, you might never get here again. See it all. But back to this half. If your half marathon PR is soft or less than a dozen years old, get yourself in racing shape in the spring and get yourself a PR. Twelve downhill miles and one mile uphill in the middle for a change of pace. The altitude wasn't a problem at all. Go and race, or go and enjoy the scenic course.
T. S. from St. Louis, MO (6/20/2008) "Awesome scenery - Awesome race" (about: 2008) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 17th marathon - all in different cities - but my first trail run. The scenery on the course was awesome - there were times that I was totally alone on the trail, just enjoying the beautiful day. I encountered two marathons first - running over a cattle grate in the road (although it was covered in plywood for us) and being hailed on (only for a few minutes) about 3 hours into the race. The trail was in excellent shape - no worries about the surface, in case you do not normally run on trails. It was very firm and smooth. The spectators were great - in the spots where they could get to along the trail. The water stops were all well stocked and the volunteers were GREAT!!! The race was very well organized. I have nothing but praise for Jerry and his crew. I agree with the previous comment that the town of Deadwood was a disappointment - all casinos. In fact, we were hard-pressed to find a restaurant that was not a casino "buffet." We eventually found a pretty decent place - the Deadwood Social Club. One other "non-touristy" recommendation: We stayed an extra day and found several great hiking spots in Spearfish Canyon. Gorgeous scenery; easy hikes to several waterfalls and nice vistas from the "mountaintops." Even a drive through the canyon is worth the trip.
C. S. from Belle Fourche, SD (6/16/2008) "Beautiful course, great organization" (about: 2008) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I've lived in South Dakota for just over 2 years now but missed out on this race the last 2 years because of other obligations - and after finally running it this year, I'm that much more sorry that I missed out on it twice. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful marathon course or a better running venue than the Mickelson Trail. For most marathons, I'm totally oblivious of the scenery along the course, but this is definitely one where you want to take the time to actually look around. Although the Mickelson itself is a very wide, well maintained trail, be warned that this is not a fast course. As others have mentioned, the uphill first half will take its toll if you don't pace it correctly. The grade is very gradual, which I think actually hurts a lot of people because they don't realize just how much uphill running they are doing, and by the time they reach the downhill second half, they're spent. If you take it easy in the first half, you'll have a much more enjoyable second half. The organization was great too. The expo was small, but what do you expect from a small race in Deadwood, SD (in other words, this ain't Boston)? Packet pickup was painless, and I'm not just saying that because I volunteered there for a few hours. :) The shirts were nice (I believe this year was the first one with technical fabric shirts) and the bibs were also very cool (and personalized, if you registered early enough). The new finisher medals were also nice (metal this year, instead of the alabaster of past years). Volunteers were very helpful and friendly, aid stations were well organized with signs and volunteers directing you to either water or PowerAde. Jerry cares a lot about this race, and it shows. Spectators were not plentiful, but given the nature of the course, that's to be expected. What spectators there were were very supportive and there was a fair number at the finish line in Deadwood. This race isn't about throngs of cheering people along the course like some of the megathons; it's about taking a nice run through the woods. The only flaw I saw is one that's been mentioned in past reviews. It appeared that some of the mile markers were off, as much as 0.12 mile according to my Garmin (which I realize can be inaccurate itself, but over a tenth of a mile is a pretty large discrepancy). I realize the difficulty of getting the markers placed in the right spot along the trail, but it's something (really, the only thing) that can be worked on for next time. This race instantly became my favorite marathon. I know that I will never get a PR or a BQ here, but that's not the point of this one. I feel fortunate that I only live 30 miles from Deadwood, because I know I'll be coming back to this race for years to come. If you're a 50-stater and looking for a South Dakota race, pick this one.
Robert Shearer from Maquoketa, Iowa (6/14/2008) "Totally wonderful experience/trail/organization" (about: 2008) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. Great experience! Regular rest stops were well stocked and well organized. Read comments from marathons in other locations; they had none of those problems here. Absolutely beautiful trail!

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