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May 7, 2024

Mt. Rushmore Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Mt. Rushmore Marathon Information & Reviews

Course 4.2

Organization 3.9

Spectators 2.8

Number of comments: 62 [displaying comments 31 to 41]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > ]

M. G. from Boston (10/11/2005) "Deadman walking" (about: 2005) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 After completing over 100+ marathons I will say this has to be the toughest, and honestly the biggest challenge. Remember it's not about the time, it's finishing; but leave your ego home for this one. The course is beautiful and it gives you the feeling of the old west. This is for the runner who wants to challenge themselves and visit the wonders of So. Dakota, the carbo dinner setup was at a local rest and did not allow you a chance to meet other runners. We missed the post race festivities since the weather was so cold. Bring warm clothes - you never know what to expect. Rent a car and do your own touring of sites in the area.
J. G. from Trinidad, CO (1/11/2005) "My first and certainly not my last!" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Being a Black Hills enthusiast, I knew that running a marathon there would allow me to experience its majestic allure in a new and distinctive way than merely driving, hiking, and camping throughout the region. The mystique of the Black Hills and the unique opportunity to do an endeavor like this is what got me focused on running and it is what prompted me to sign up. The October 2004 Mt. Rushmore Marathon was my first marathon, and it has provoked me to continue with this healthy hobby! The scenery was spectacular, the weather was amazing, and the air was fragranced with pungent pine. Since it was my first marathon, it's hard for me to rate the quality of the Mt. Rushmore Marathon compared to others; but I had a remarkable inaugural experience. I found there to be plenty of water stations, I appreciated the fact there were massage tables with smoothly-moving lines after the run, and the event appeared well-organized. I was late picking up my packet, and I was pleased to see that the staff waited a little longer for stragglers like me! I joked with them that I do well as a runner because I?m always running late! I noticed some of the comments on this site mention the traffic along the course. Although it?s ideal to have the entire highway for the runners, there was, in fact, notification of this situation prior to the event, and I never felt crowded or endangered. There was an abundance of police vehicles kindly patrolling the course making sure the traffic and the runners moved harmoniously. I thought of it like the runners were the parade; and instead of people on foot watching floats go pass, it was the opposite. Many vehicles were actually just supporters-on-wheels, and they were very encouraging! There were more up-hill battles than I anticipated. Even though I had the impression there weren't going to be many inclines, I don't necessarily fault the literature that was provided. I just think that any incline whatsoever felt challenging for me since I was experiencing the intricacies of a marathon for the first time. A marathon is a marathon, and after a person runs for more than three hours and covers so many miles, I'd imagine any kind of topography would seem fatiguing! Regardless, I finished in less than four hours--much better than I was anticipating! If I had to pick some disappointments among the many plusses, I would say that I was irritated that there wasn?t a water station immediately past the finish line. Perhaps there was, and I just didn?t see it since I was exhausted to have the wherewithal to spot it; but I had to actively go on a search for water when all I wanted to do was sit down! Secondly, none of the young students directing traffic flow as the race descended into Rapid City were outwardly motivating and encouraging. I realize there job was inherently helpful to the runners, and they were no doubt graciously volunteering their time; but it would have been nice if they could have demonstrated at least some of the energy and spirit all of the other people off to the sides were providing. It?s as if they were there helping out a funeral procession, not this awesome annual region-promoting event. The neat thing is that I did the marathon to begin with because of my love of the location. Now, however, because of such a positive experience I had, I?m seeking out more marathons to do elsewhere! I guess I've caught the running bug since I'm getting ready to do the Lost Dutchman Marathon just days from now in AZ! It will be interesting to see how the two compare. I definitely plan to continue my running stint in the Black Hills. I am eagerly awaiting October 2005, and all of the Octobers beyond! I applaud the organizers and am thankful for the wonderful time.
B. D. from Midwest, U.S.A. (11/1/2004) "Try not to get hit by cars" (about: 2004) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I ran the '04 race and think everyone should see South Dakota in October. It is beautiful and the course views were awe-inspiring. Don't let the downhill remarks about this course fool you. There are some serious hills to climb and some of the downhills are 10% grade. I fried my quads and could barely walk for a week afterwards. Finally, much of the course is on unprotected rural highways. I was uncomfortable with all the traffic and I really did not appreciate all the cars parked on the race side of the road near relay points. All in all a good run, but I feel they could do more to protect runners from traffic.
C. M. from Shawnee, KS (10/21/2004) "Mostly downhill, strong headwind though." (about: 2004) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is advertised as all downhill and a good place to set PR's. It is mostly downhill, though there are some rough hills from 16 to 19 miles. This year there was a strong headwind after the course took us a different direction at mile 10. It stayed with us the remainder of the race, which made it difficult for anyone to set a PR. The organization was great, scenery was beautiful, and though there where few spectators, the ones who where there where great.
W. O. from Casper, WY (10/11/2004) "Ultra-Half-Marathon?" (about: 2004) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I ran the half. The start was near a convenience store 1.3 miles from the marathon midpoint. To make up the difference, the organizers had the course go around the park around the finish line. According to my GPS, though, the organizers got a little carried away... my GPS registered 13.68 miles at the finish! IMHO, the organizers easily could have left out the out-and-back part on the dirt trail on the ridge near the end (which would have taken care of the extra .58 mile).
David Reinhart from San Antonio, Texas (10/11/2004) "Great race, great place..." (about: 2004) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Running through the countryside on a crisp cool autumn morning with all the fall colors was great! I loved this race. Be aware that despite it being downhill, there are several good uphills that pose a challenge, and the final miles through a gorge we had a fierce headwind (at least for us). My only complaint is the start time (9 am). I recommend that they move it up an hour to better take advantage of the temperatures and the angle of the sun.
K. G. from Minneapolis, Minnesota (10/1/2004) "Outstanding" (about: 2003) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran it in 2003, fantastic weather, dry and cool. No problems with the downhill. Outstanding awards. Cool Pasta Party at Mount Rushmore at sunset. Very easy to drive to, and find packet pickup.
u. d. from Denver, CO (4/15/2004) "Awesome views" (about: 2002) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 The scenery is fantastic. Not enough porta-potties at the start or along the course. A buddy finished 4th overall but was stiffed on the awards because the top 3 were still eligible for age group awards.
a. g. from flint, mi (3/11/2004) "Interesting, but much harder than expected" (about: 2003) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Mt. Rushmore Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 The Mt. Rushmore Marathon was a great experience spoiled by having to run 26.2 miles. It would be a great marathon for advanced runners or beginners planning to leisurely jog it. I was somewhere in between and it didn't work for me - all the downhills proved too hard on my back, and that undermentioned 2 miles straight uphill stretch from 16 to 18 pretty much snapped my will to run. It was a two-lane highway with traffic coming at runners from both directions. With only 300 runners after the half, things got sparse - I might see one runner a half mile ahead of me and one a half mile back. The lack of other runners nearby and the oncoming traffic made it feel more like a long practice run than a race. Few spectactors though they were enthusiastic. The church group that had a list of the runners and looked up my number to call me by name made me smile. The finish was green and lovely. The Gatorade was this awful tasting watery purple murk. For this average-to-middling runner, it was a lovely practice run but not a good choice for a race.
A. G. from New York (11/2/2003) "Something delightfully different" (about: 2003) COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 This was my 39th marathon. At age 62, I never know which one will be my last, so I look for variety. I'm from New York City and have run many of the big ones. A scenic marathon which starts between a cow pasture and a horse farm was something different and delightful. It also provided a reason to spend a few days in the area viewing some of our national treasures. The run is primarily downhill. The decline around mile 20 is enough to put the brakes on and do a job on the quads and toes. There are also a few monster uphills so don't count on a PR. All in all it was a great experience and I would highly recommend it.

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