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Marathon Details - Swan Lake Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > SD > Viborg > Swan Lake Marathon

Swan Lake Marathon

Swan Lake Marathon & Half Marathon, 5K, Marathon Relay

Viborg, SD USA

June 12, 2022

http://www.myslcc.com/marathon

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Race Details

Gentle rolling course circling Swan Lake and surrounding area.

Contact Information

Name:	SLCC
Address:	45474 288th St Viborg SD, 57070
Phone Number:	605-326-5690
Email:	Email the organizers

Race Organizer

An awesome rural race! (4/2/19)

Renee Neufeld

We have named our 5K in honor of Billy Brockmueller who loved running and loved Swan Lake Christian Camp. He lived his life as a reflection of Jesus and was a witness to many. We will never know why he was taken so soon, but we remember his dedication to Jesus and life in general as a gift to all who knew him.

Runner Reviews (52)

Course 4.1

Organization 4.8

Spectators 2.7

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Number of comments: 52 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

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

T. R. from South Dakota (6/24/2019) "Amazing!" (about: 2019) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a goal to run a marathon before turning 50 & the Swan Lake Marathon was the perfect race to accomplish this goal! The rainy, wet spring made the course a little tricky but the event coordinators worked hard to make the course safe & doable! The gravel roads were great for joints & the scenery was a perfect setting for this farm girl!
V. B. from Iowa (6/23/2019) "A nice little race" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a nice little race for anyone seeking to run SD. No fancy medals, no crowds, but it's well organized with great volunteers. Definitely stay at the camp the night before, eat the pasta dinner, and have the lunch afterwards. They let you keep your room long enough to shower after the race. Great 50-state RD as well. The wind was very unpleasant and there was some mud due to excess rain but they can't control the weather. They also have a back-up USATF certified route (which we ran this year) in case of flooding. Some bigger races could learn a lesson from this. :)
P. W. from Arkadelphia, AR (6/22/2019) "Amazing hospitality" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon here the day after the Sandhills half in Nebraska. There was no comparison between the two in terms of which event had better organization and a friendlier atmosphere. Swan Lake wins hands-down! The camp staff and race personnel were second to none in terms of hospitality. We stayed at the camp lodge, and I highly recommend it: super cute décor, walk to the start, and they told us checkout time was 'whenever we were ready.' Race day was excessively windy, but that is no one's fault; it's just something to be prepared for if you plan to run here. I do much of my training in rural areas on dirt roads so this course made me feel right at home. Anything this race lacks in crowds and hype, it makes up for with friendly volunteers and special little touches. As the women's division winner, I took home a nice basket of homemade goodies. The post-race brunch had excellent options, and they had free gels available at check-in the day before. My sole complaint is that the finisher's medal was pretty unimpressive (some people run for bling!), but I appreciate that they spent as much of the proceeds on camp scholarships as possible.
J. G. from Goshen IN (6/22/2019) "Nice 50 state marathon" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you need South Dakota you should consider Swan Lake. You can stay at the campground and be 200 meters from the start. They have a pasta meal on site. Also pork meal post race. The marathon course this year was a double loop course due to flooding in other roads. I actually think they should do the double loop course every year. Logistics you knew where aid stations would be and after doing one loop you knew what second loop was going to be like. Some dirt/gravel roads and some paved roads. Spectators mainly at aid stations and the campgrounds but they were rocking it.
J. S. from Nashville, TN (6/22/2019) "Definitely Recommend for Something Different" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 We picked this race as a weekend get-away to run in South Dakota. A 'quick' 2.5 drive from Omaha (I'm a Southwest guy), we flew in Saturday morning and got to camp mid-afternoon. Stay at the camp, we got a 'hotel-style' room albeit no TV for a reasonable price and cannot beat just walking to start line. The race started at 6:00AM and we were blessed with temps that didn't get above 60 Degrees even by the time we left camp at 11:30. It was windy (gusts 30+) and some of the dirt roads were muddy from rainy spring (and more rain night before race). Not that bad though - never got mud stuck on shoes which I was concerned about (and although the head wind at times stunk, I'll take some wind and lower temps over heat and humidity any day). Relatively flat and the dirt roads are well maintained - not dodging potholes and such. Other - get the spaghetti dinner the night before - it was good and convenient as there isn't much out there. And the post race 'lunch' starting at 9:00 was great and I was more than happy to donate for that meal.
M. M. from MN (6/22/2019) "Small race big heart" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The amount of runner support for a race of this size was amazing. Awesome volunteers. Plenty of water and potties available. Keep in mind it's a 2 loop course. If you don't like passing the finish line at the half way point then this might not be the event for you. Lots of rolling, exposed farm roads. It was extremely windy so there was not much shelter from the wind. The course does offer frequent turns which provided breaks. If you're good running alone and keeping yourself entertained then you'll love it. I worked my way through a podcast and enjoyed the run. Thank you volunteers. You were amazing.
J. K. from Monument, CO (6/10/2019) "A great marathon for 50 Staters or anyone" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized, flat, run on dirt roads and some paved roads. Pretty scenic theough rural SD farmland and around swan lake. Stay at the camp! Reasonable rates and you cant beat the 2 minute walk to the start. Spaghetti dinner the night before and pork loin sandwich lunch after were wonderful. The camp folks are wonderful. Race is well organized, supported, and just a great small run. Showers available post run.
Bill Brockmueller from Providence, RI (10/27/2017) "This Race is a Special One" (about: 2017) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am originally from South Dakota and have many ties to this race and Swan Lake Christian Camp. At the Swan Lake event, I have run the full marathon, the half, the 5.3 miles around the lake, and most recently the Marathon Relay. All of these have been exceptional events. The course is rural South Dakota, and has some nice balances of running surfaces and scenery. This most recent race, I had a team of five runners who competed in the relay. It was a thrilling way to experience the marathon without having to log 26.2! The race was very well directed, marked, and organized every time. In addition, the camp facilities and food are exceptional for before and after the race. I will continue coming back to this race year in and year out.
T. E. from newport, Rhode Island (6/30/2017) "Surprised and satisfied" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 An excellent race, for an excellent cause. Very rural, lots of nature, small crowds. But anything the volunteers and staff lacked in sheer numbers, they made up in friendliness, enthusiasm, and overwhelming support. No complaints at all on how this was run. The solitude of the course led to spending a lot of time with a couple runners who I now charish their friendship, and whose relationship will last for years. The ability to go back and take a shower, as well as a swim in the lake after the race was excellent. I loved it. I didn't expect to love it. I expected to just get through it. but I loved it.
L. H. from SD (6/27/2017) "Very small but such great volunteers and organizer" (about: 2017) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, but I've run several halves. While my own performance was less than desired, I could not ask for a better race for my first time. The organization was terrific with very quick responses to questions and there were tons of very friendly volunteers at every aid station. Everyone was supportive and encouraging. The aid stations were fully stocked and I could have kissed the guy who handed me a slice of watermelon at mile 22. The course itself is fairly unexciting (it's laid out on country mile roads, mostly gravel) but the sunrise was beautiful and the views are exactly what you should expect from eastern South Dakota. It was windy and pretty hot by the end, despite the 5am start time, but I can't hold that against the race.

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



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T. R. from South Dakota (6/24/2019) "Amazing!" (about: 2019) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I had a goal to run a marathon before turning 50 & the Swan Lake Marathon was the perfect race to accomplish this goal! The rainy, wet spring made the course a little tricky but the event coordinators worked hard to make the course safe & doable! The gravel roads were great for joints & the scenery was a perfect setting for this farm girl!
V. B. from Iowa (6/23/2019) "A nice little race" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a nice little race for anyone seeking to run SD. No fancy medals, no crowds, but it's well organized with great volunteers. Definitely stay at the camp the night before, eat the pasta dinner, and have the lunch afterwards. They let you keep your room long enough to shower after the race. Great 50-state RD as well. The wind was very unpleasant and there was some mud due to excess rain but they can't control the weather. They also have a back-up USATF certified route (which we ran this year) in case of flooding. Some bigger races could learn a lesson from this. :)
P. W. from Arkadelphia, AR (6/22/2019) "Amazing hospitality" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half marathon here the day after the Sandhills half in Nebraska. There was no comparison between the two in terms of which event had better organization and a friendlier atmosphere. Swan Lake wins hands-down! The camp staff and race personnel were second to none in terms of hospitality. We stayed at the camp lodge, and I highly recommend it: super cute décor, walk to the start, and they told us checkout time was 'whenever we were ready.' Race day was excessively windy, but that is no one's fault; it's just something to be prepared for if you plan to run here. I do much of my training in rural areas on dirt roads so this course made me feel right at home. Anything this race lacks in crowds and hype, it makes up for with friendly volunteers and special little touches. As the women's division winner, I took home a nice basket of homemade goodies. The post-race brunch had excellent options, and they had free gels available at check-in the day before. My sole complaint is that the finisher's medal was pretty unimpressive (some people run for bling!), but I appreciate that they spent as much of the proceeds on camp scholarships as possible.
J. G. from Goshen IN (6/22/2019) "Nice 50 state marathon" (about: 2019) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you need South Dakota you should consider Swan Lake. You can stay at the campground and be 200 meters from the start. They have a pasta meal on site. Also pork meal post race. The marathon course this year was a double loop course due to flooding in other roads. I actually think they should do the double loop course every year. Logistics you knew where aid stations would be and after doing one loop you knew what second loop was going to be like. Some dirt/gravel roads and some paved roads. Spectators mainly at aid stations and the campgrounds but they were rocking it.
J. S. from Nashville, TN (6/22/2019) "Definitely Recommend for Something Different" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 We picked this race as a weekend get-away to run in South Dakota. A 'quick' 2.5 drive from Omaha (I'm a Southwest guy), we flew in Saturday morning and got to camp mid-afternoon. Stay at the camp, we got a 'hotel-style' room albeit no TV for a reasonable price and cannot beat just walking to start line. The race started at 6:00AM and we were blessed with temps that didn't get above 60 Degrees even by the time we left camp at 11:30. It was windy (gusts 30+) and some of the dirt roads were muddy from rainy spring (and more rain night before race). Not that bad though - never got mud stuck on shoes which I was concerned about (and although the head wind at times stunk, I'll take some wind and lower temps over heat and humidity any day). Relatively flat and the dirt roads are well maintained - not dodging potholes and such. Other - get the spaghetti dinner the night before - it was good and convenient as there isn't much out there. And the post race 'lunch' starting at 9:00 was great and I was more than happy to donate for that meal.
M. M. from MN (6/22/2019) "Small race big heart" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The amount of runner support for a race of this size was amazing. Awesome volunteers. Plenty of water and potties available. Keep in mind it's a 2 loop course. If you don't like passing the finish line at the half way point then this might not be the event for you. Lots of rolling, exposed farm roads. It was extremely windy so there was not much shelter from the wind. The course does offer frequent turns which provided breaks. If you're good running alone and keeping yourself entertained then you'll love it. I worked my way through a podcast and enjoyed the run. Thank you volunteers. You were amazing.
J. K. from Monument, CO (6/10/2019) "A great marathon for 50 Staters or anyone" (about: 2019) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Well organized, flat, run on dirt roads and some paved roads. Pretty scenic theough rural SD farmland and around swan lake. Stay at the camp! Reasonable rates and you cant beat the 2 minute walk to the start. Spaghetti dinner the night before and pork loin sandwich lunch after were wonderful. The camp folks are wonderful. Race is well organized, supported, and just a great small run. Showers available post run.
Bill Brockmueller from Providence, RI (10/27/2017) "This Race is a Special One" (about: 2017) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I am originally from South Dakota and have many ties to this race and Swan Lake Christian Camp. At the Swan Lake event, I have run the full marathon, the half, the 5.3 miles around the lake, and most recently the Marathon Relay. All of these have been exceptional events. The course is rural South Dakota, and has some nice balances of running surfaces and scenery. This most recent race, I had a team of five runners who competed in the relay. It was a thrilling way to experience the marathon without having to log 26.2! The race was very well directed, marked, and organized every time. In addition, the camp facilities and food are exceptional for before and after the race. I will continue coming back to this race year in and year out.
T. E. from newport, Rhode Island (6/30/2017) "Surprised and satisfied" (about: 2017) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Swan Lake Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 An excellent race, for an excellent cause. Very rural, lots of nature, small crowds. But anything the volunteers and staff lacked in sheer numbers, they made up in friendliness, enthusiasm, and overwhelming support. No complaints at all on how this was run. The solitude of the course led to spending a lot of time with a couple runners who I now charish their friendship, and whose relationship will last for years. The ability to go back and take a shower, as well as a swim in the lake after the race was excellent. I loved it. I didn't expect to love it. I expected to just get through it. but I loved it.
L. H. from SD (6/27/2017) "Very small but such great volunteers and organizer" (about: 2017) First Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my first marathon, but I've run several halves. While my own performance was less than desired, I could not ask for a better race for my first time. The organization was terrific with very quick responses to questions and there were tons of very friendly volunteers at every aid station. Everyone was supportive and encouraging. The aid stations were fully stocked and I could have kissed the guy who handed me a slice of watermelon at mile 22. The course itself is fairly unexciting (it's laid out on country mile roads, mostly gravel) but the sunrise was beautiful and the views are exactly what you should expect from eastern South Dakota. It was windy and pretty hot by the end, despite the 5am start time, but I can't hold that against the race.

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Marathon Details - Swan Lake Marathon