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May 12, 2024

Sioux Falls Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Sioux Falls Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 3.9

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.5

Number of comments: 35 [displaying comments 11 to 21]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 > ]

t. j. from iowa (9/12/2016) "great course and well organized" (about: 2016) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Sioux Falls made many changes over the past two years in an attempt to make this a premiere Midwest race. They've succeeded. The course hi-lights the beauty of this great town and the scenery of downtown, the iconic falls, along the river, and through numerous parks helps you forget you are running 26 miles. The race starts before sunrise and the sun emerges as you run through downtown - truly a spectacular site. The few hills in this course are moderate at worst and are all during the first 16 miles. The last 10 miles is very flat. The last five miles does get a bit boring (on an asphalt trail atop a flood dike), but occasional flyovers of F-16 jets and running past the back of the zoo (hello Bison, hello Rhinoceros) keep you from going crazy. Crowds are thin, but very enthusiastic. Frequent water stops, an indoor start and finish with lots of restrooms (use the restrooms behind the arena seats - they were virtual empty), and some of the nicest people you'll ever meet make this a race easy to recommend. Of nine races run, I'd put this in the top two or three (Behind Fargo, but on par with Green Bay).
T. S. from Indianapolis (9/20/2015) "No longer a bypass" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Have skirted Sioux Falls many times en route to in-laws' house in Wyoming, so it was nice to actually see the city. And this route gives you a lot to see. Nice neighborhoods, a great downtown and beautiful parks, highlighted by the run past the falls. There are hills, but they're certainly not killers (though a bit of a strain for this flatlander whose training was woefully lacking anyhow and whose hill training was nonexistent). Finish on the football stadium track was neat. Few spectators, but those that were there gave us a boost, as did the many volunteers at water stops. One of the best things was the convenience. Parking is steps away from start and finish. There are (indoor!) bathrooms at the stadium. And shower facilities in the locker room afterward, though it's pushing it to describe the water as even lukewarm. I sorta like the medal. It mirrored the shirt, which I give a thumbs down. Pedestrian at best. Post-race fare was OK, nothing out of the ordinary. As is often the case with a midpack marathoner in a race that also has a half, they were out of chocolate milk (insert sad face). But overall, I'd recommend Sioux Falls. I had my third-worst time ever (as in duration), but I great time (as in enjoying myself).
c. p. from iowa (9/14/2015) "great support on side lines" (about: 2015) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Great directions up to the last mile. once we turned the last corner there were no volunteers to get us to the stadium gate and to tell where the finish line was exactly. Granted we are very tired at this point and need extra guidance. Overall it was a great day and experience! Thanks from Iowa!
Y. F. from Chicago, IL (9/12/2014) "Fabulous Marathon!" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was planned out well, with wide open roads at the beginning and rolling hills that were so gradual that I never struggled (and this is coming from a Chicagoan who has not completed ANY hill workouts yet this year). I appreciated how they planned out the course so we encountered the falls toward the end; that was a huge boost. I'd recommend waiting to see the falls in person until you run through the park. True, they are not Niagara Falls, but I still got chills from them...this is not something one sees everyday. Many of the volunteers said thank you for running the race which was touching. The locals exuded a genuine warmth and appreciation to all of the out of towners in my group. We stayed at the HQ hotel which was so convenient that you don't need a rental car because their shuttle took us to all the major places (downtown, airport). The expo was a total breeze. The pasta dinner was yummy. The shuttles back to the start line were prompt and plentiful.
C. S. from Minnesota (9/8/2014) "Exceeded expectations, pleasantly surprised!" (about: 2014) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Sioux Falls and this marathon course were far more beautiful than I expected. This is a very scenic course with big sky expanses, a lovely old-timey downtown, and some top-notch parks and paved trails. The course is not flat but rolling hills with some long flat sections. Each up has a corresponding down and I felt like there were a few times I got to descend without having to climb. There are enough turns so that you never have to run a long straight line. Very difficult course to mark and marshall but both of those jobs were done EXTREMELY well - there may have been more volunteers than runners, and some of the volunteers even thanked me for running the race! A small race but as a mid-packer I was never alone. Not very many spectators but the volunteer cheering sections more than made up for that. Shuttles at the finish leave every 15 minutes to take you back to the start. Starting line was on a track with plenty of flush toilets and real sinks - nice bonus. The expo was teeny, the race shirts are great, and the medal if you're into that is really nice. Two criticisms: First, the race numbers had a 'drink ticket' attached but there were no adult beverages at the finish - no big deal except that the ticket made me expect it. Second, the decidedly Christian prayer at the start was unneccessary and served to remind non-Christians like myself that we are outsiders in a place like Sioux Falls. Overall small price to pay in small-town USA for an otherwise great event!
M.V. Hake from Overland Park, KS (4/7/2014) "Fun, scenic marathon" (about: 2011) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a good quality race that delivers on all the things you would expect and want from a marathon. I left feeling satisfied and glad I chose Sioux Falls to check South Dakota off my list. The marathon and half have separate start times, which is great because the start is on a track. The first half has some gradual ups and downs, but in general is pretty fast. A nice long downhill between mis. 7 and 9 takes you to the Big Sioux River bike trail. The river trail is peaceful and scenic, but your totally exposed to wind if there is any. Around Mile 15 is a screaming fast downhill into downtown Sioux Falls, if you ran a smart first half this downhill into town should be a nice boost into the second half (I was not that wise, however). After downtown is breathtaking Falls Park, a prehistoric waterfall you get to run right by (and over the water) on a bridge. After the waterfall its back to the bike trail, which takes you the final 7 miles to the finishing stretch. The crowd support is really enthusiastic in the second half of the race especially, there were multiple big groups of cheering high school kids, some in costume. One cheering section in the last few miles of bike trail was a high school marching band, which was a huge boost to a tired and weary soul. The finish line staging area was well organized, results are posted quickly, theres access to plenty of food and drink and the finishers medal is unique and first rate. Sertoma Park, which borders the final quarter mile of the course and finish line area, and Falls Park (mis. 17-18) are both worth enjoying if you have the time/leg-energy left outside of all the race action. This race sells itself on being a flat and fast course, and it IS fast and free of any bad hill climbs or intense rolling terrain. That said, (to be very obvious) it IS still a 26 mile 385 yard footrace, so don't get excited by first half speed and end up cramping or burning out early. Learn from my blunder! Even though I learned the hard way how going out fast can thwart a big PR, I left Sioux Falls basking in the memories of this great marathon. The friendly people, the scenic course and optimal time of year made this a much above average marathon destination. Plan on the SFM for your South Dakota race or fall getaway and you will enjoy!
James Lehman from Coppell, TX (9/15/2013) "Bring your own taxi" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Lesson learned: Though I may think there will be time after the race to return to the hotel to shower, change, check out late and make my airport connection, it would have been best to fully pack and be ready to scoot to the airport immediately following the race. I waited more than an hour for the second shuttle bus on account of my own poor planning and shuttle bus organization/misinformation. If I were living in Sioux Falls I'd run the race again so long as I could arrange for a friend to collect me from the finish line area to take me back to my car parked near the start line. But I don't think I would recommend traveling in for the event. There are many other races featuring better organization and less nerves frazzled. All other Sioux Falls race features and amenities were average, middle of the road. And as for course grade and difficulty, I'd say this one is flat, not hilly. Mississippi Blues, Louisiana and Tyler Rose marathons feature more hills than Sioux Falls, for example.
J. R. from Longmont, CO (9/9/2013) "Really nice marathon experience" (about: 2013) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my 5th marathon, and taking over from Missoula, my favorite. In chronological order, more or less. 1) Logistics: very good. The race hotel was the same as packet pick-up, and it offered late checkouts for runners, and free shuttles to and from the airport. We did not rent a car and did not need to. Yes, the shuttles / buses from the race to the hotel after the race was a bit of a mess, but in the organizer's defense, the half-marathon had a record field and the marathon finishers numbered twice as many as last year. And within 24 hours the RD emailed us apologizing, which is nice. Overall, though, I'm telling you, this is a well-thought-out race 2) Course. Definitely fast. The first 6 miles have a good 4 or 5 rollers in them, so you best start off slow. All these rollers are up-and-down, so you have a chance to make up time on the way down immediately. The middle (7-15) is pancake flat, and I mean pancake. This was a great place to find some rhythm and speed and open up a little bit. Downtown was next and that was full of spectators, and after some neighborhood time and a few more hills, you were on an awesome, shaded, curvy, bike path. Very nice way to finish. And you run right in front of the falls which was cool. 3) Aid stations. Spread out in the beginning, then more dense towards the end, which I thought was great. Good crowds, offered water & Powerade and some Hammer gels at 3 or 4 of them. 4) Finish area. Great finish line separating the marathoners and halfers. Lots of people and support, plenty of chairs and shade and food and water. Big fan of this race and recommend it to all.
J. L. from Fargo, ND (9/9/2013) "Nice people, kinks to work out." (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Sioux Falls Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Highlights - Marathon started at 6:45 a.m. and the half about an hour later. I wish more marathon/half marathon races were arranged this way. The volunteers were awesome as were the people running the event. The few spectators who came out were fantastic. It was very hot this year with 90% humidity and they had lots of water, some sprinklers, ice and cool cloths at the finish. We also got to run past the falls (pretty) and the dog park (entertaining) which I think everyone enjoyed. Downsides - the course was weird and at times hard to follow. Much of it was in the middle of nowhere, wide open with no shade or wind protection and of course no spectators. We ran on road construction gravel when there was a paved street a block away. We were diverted off the bike path to run through grass only to run on the bike path immediately. I couldn't understand why we would have to take the grass when the bike path was continuous and less than 20 feet off the grass path. It don't mind running on grass but it made it a little confusing and congested. It was also a little annoying to encounter families going for a leisurely bike ride on the course in several spots, including mile 25 when volunteers could have asked them simply to head away from the course on the bike path. There is really no post race celebration to speak of. Kind of anti-climactic. And the BIG let down was there was only one shuttle bus to return runners to the starting area. They promised shuttles leaving every 15 minutes. Some people waited over an hour and a half. Many people called cabs for a ride. The sole bus driver was nice and very apologetic, but it clearly was not his fault. Id give these guys a few more years to work out the kinks before recommending it.
L. T. from Minneapolis, Minnesota (9/9/2013) "Nice course but NOT a flat one" (about: 2013) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Don't be fooled by the advertisement of a 'flat' and fast course; fast, perhaps (based on you as a runner), but certainly not 'flat.' There were flat areas along the course, but I would never describe this course as flat (I've completed over 25 marathons). Could be a nice Boston Qualifer, just hope for good weather, which was something the Running Gods did not supply in 2013. VERY hot, humid and windy, with little to no shelter from the variables (until after mile 20). This shouldn't deter you from this marathon, as all courses have challenging factors, just be aware if this is the course you choose for a BQ. Nice scenery changes and volunteers were amazing! Nice medals. Only complaint: we were provided a site where friends/family could pay $2.00 and get live updates/tracking of their runner. Well, that didn't work. My boyfriend paid for the service, but was unable to track me. Not sure if that was a glitch on his part, but didn't think so, seeing he is in IT. Anyway, a nice marathon to run, but not as 'flat' as advertised.

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