Run Crazy Horse - Race Reviews

This was my 60th marathon and now on my short list of favorites. To me Crazy Horse Marathon had it all: spectacular scenery along a crushed pebble trail through the beautiful Black Hills National Forest, a great support network where EVERY aid station (approx every 2 miles) had enthusiastic volunteers handing out oranges, bananas, and other food items along with water and sports drink, an outstanding starting venue at Crazy Horse Memorial where they started the race with authentic native drums, and a relatively fast point to point course (except for sustained hill from miles 10-17), and a fun finish at Hill City--a town out of the Old West. For 50 Staters especially--you should do it!

To start, I think having 'spectators' as a criterion for evaluating a marathon is stupid. Big races have crowds and small ones don't. I don't think the small races should be punished for being small. And, to me, I couldn't care less how many people were lining up the sides of the roads while I run. Thus, I gave this race 5 stars, but there is no crowd support. If that is important to you, go somewhere else. There were only 123 finishers for this one. The course was gorgeous. I traveled from the Midwest to be here and there just isn't anything as beautiful as the Black Hills where I come from. Running near the base of Crazy Horse was a treat. It is hilly, so be prepared for it. Aside from the first 2-3 miles, though, the inclines and declines are very subtle, almost so that you don't notice them. The elevation of this race is in excess of 1 mile, so be prepared for that too. Overall, it is a difficult course, but not exceedingly so. Just don't expect a PR. The organization was adequate. The race is on a pretty small scale, so everything seemed to go smoothly. Some more help on the course might have been useful; I remember once or twice not knowing exactly where I should turn towards the very end when you get back into Hill City. Bus shuttle service was excellent and conveniently located to my hotel (Best Western). The expo was small without much ado, but I was in and out quickly which is a plus for me. I have but one complaint. If you're going to distribute M&M's on the course, don't put them in the same cups as the water and gatorade. I missed a cup of water at that aid station because I grabbed candy by mistake. Grr! (I don't turn around.) The shirt and the medal were disappointing. The medal seems to be made of clay and was hung on a thin strap of leather. Looks pretty pathetic compared to every other marathon I've ever run, but I guess it matches the Native American culture of the race's theme. Overall, a well-run, tough race with limited frills in a gorgeous locale. And there is plenty to do in the area for anyone traveling to SD for the weekend.

I ran close to 50 marathons and this one was one of the very best. Not only it was on beautiful land, everyone was amazing. I particularly appreciate that the staff at the finish line stayed and cheered the slower runners until the end, despite the weather. I was done, showered and ready for lunch back in town to realize there were still runners coming in and was quite impressed with your staff. I also love the prayer/song at the start. While I did not have my national anthem to put me in my little bubble, his song/prayer did just that, if not better! What could be improved? I can't think of something. If you want to run in a beautiful area, with beautiful people, this is it.

I chose this for my SD marathon on my 50 state marathon quest. It was a good choice for SD but the course kicked my butt!! You go gradually uphill from approximately mile 11 to mile 19. This proved to be far more challenging than I expected, especially since I live at sea level and this was at a higher elevation. I wasn't in the greatest of shape which certainly didn't help. A volunteer on a bike did check in on me on occasion, but for the most part I was alone a lot. It was absolutely GORGEOUS scenery and I really felt a connection with nature. I loved the start at the Crazy Horse Memorial and running near it in the first mile. I also really enjoyed the pasta dinner at the restaurant at the Crazy Horse Memorial the night before the race and highly recommend it. I stayed at an Airbnb near the finish line, though there are plenty of hotels there as well. I stayed for a few days and did sightseeing all over the Black Hills area. It was a great trip! There were an adequate number of aid stations. The finish line was still open for me even though I was the second to last finisher (I had notified the race director prior to the race that I might finish just over the 7 hour time limit as I mostly walked due to a knee injury). We had to park near the finish line and get bussed to the start. Our bus driver took a wrong turn and luckily since I was sitting in the front I noticed it and said something to the bus driver. Had I not said anything, we would have missed the start. No need for trail shoes as the trail is mostly packed gravel and dirt. Most of the participants did the half marathon and I would say it's a perfect half marathon course because of the scenery and the fact that most of that course is downhill. Be prepared to challenge yourself if you do the marathon. And plan to stay for a few days.

I was registered to run here in 2013 but a freak snow storm covered the area in 30 inches of snow and the race was cancelled. I was determined to return in 2014 and it was well worth the wait. Most of the course runs on a groomed trail that winds through the tall Ponderosa pines of the Black Hills. If you need spectators for inspiration then this is not your race but if you enjoy the quiet beauty of the woods and the spiritual experience of the Black Hills, then I highly reccommend you register today. There were plenty of friendly volunteers and more than enough water, powerade, Gu and porta-potty stops along the route. This was an extremely well run race and I hope to return again.

The sights and sounds of South Dakota made the beating I took more than worth it. Great course just close enough to highway for family support but remote enough to enjoy the natural beauty of the Michelson Trail (not the golfer). The weather couldn't decide on sunny or overcast, rainy or dry, windy or calm. But it nailed down chilly worsened by the wind chill. So you got it all. First 10 miles were downhill to Custer with the wind. Then you turn around for six miles uphill into the constant winds (up to 30 mph gusts). The rest is downhill into Hill City. I trained on flat hot humid Texas roads, exactly what wasn't needed. Cool 'clay' medal a la Big Sur Marathon. Loved it. Loved SD. But I got my ass handed to me.

Highly recommended race and site seeing visit for 50 staters!!

This was a very nice smaller (~175 full marathoners, 900 half marathoners) on a rails-to-trails course. Start with a ~3.5 mile loop around the Crazy Horse Memorial, then ~6.5 miles south on the Mickelson trail, then 16 miles back up the trail, past Crazy Horse, to Hill City. The only problem was the strong and steady winds from the north, which made the run back to Hill City tough. Course was very pretty. Plenty of aid stations, well stocked with water, gatorade, and gels. Great finishing area in Hill City, and the start at the Crazy Horse was great. Native Americans sang and danced at the start, it was very moving. Mt. Rushmore was only 10 miles away. Great long weekend vacation trip.

Only about 1000 runners in this race, but an absolutely gorgeous course. I highly recommend it to anyone in the area.

Great small race, if you need lots of other runners around and tons of spectators this isn't for you. Great organizations, plenty of water and volunteers and beautiful area.

Run Crazy Horse is Marathon #50 in my Quest for 50 states plus DC. Hill City is perfect for this Black Hills Marathon due to it's central location. We were there on the absolute last weekend of the season (they waited for us)but the hospitality workers were top line in their welcome. Palmer Gulch Lodge and Campground put out a FREE morning snack and water spread for us EVERY DAY that weekend. This race is very well organized with plenty of fluids and nutrition on the course, even though the late morning temperatures rose into the 80's !! A big suprise to everyone for October in South Dakota. AND THE COURSE is Most Beautiful ! The loops on the loose gravel roads around the Crazy Horse Monument were a little treacherous but afforded the runners a view that few visitors get to enjoy. The early hours (or 1/2 course)into Hill City were cool (mid 40's to start). The Crazy Horse visitors center is a Can't Miss Attraction so plan to spend some time there the evening before the race. However, unless you have a true love for warmed up frozen pasta, I suggest you pass up the prepaid pasta feed and order off the menu. The Laser Light Show is Fabulous !! My only regret is we couldn't stay long enough to enjoy all the wonderous outdoor activities the Black Hills have to offer - Like a 3 mile hike to the top of Mt Harney or a 50 or so mile bike ride on the Deadwood/Mickelson Trail. SO... WE WILL DEFINATELY BE BACK !! Run Long, Run Strong !!

Great fall marathon in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Small marathon with a great course and well supplied aid stations. Not a spectator friendly marathon, but the friendly/quiet town of Hill City is relaxing.

This marathon was all that I expected. The second half was especially tough compared to the first half as it involved a slight rises and higher temps. This marathon was small but good. Adequate aid stations and friendly people. There was nothing about it to complain about. I hope this marathon continues for years to come as I am a Crazy Horse fan.

I loved this marathon. The weather was great, though I got a little heated toward the end. The Black Hills are really beautiful. I was starting to hurt toward the end of this run. I thought there should've been more water stops for the last ten miles. I was parched. Loved everything else. Got my first clay finisher's medal. This was my ninth marathon in the ninth state. Thank you for a wonderful experience at Crazy Horse!

This inaugural race came off without a hitch and was a wonderful run. The race starts and the first three miles are run at the base of the Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota. You then exit onto the Mickelson Trail for a gradual 10-mile downhill into Hill City. The weather was perfect, the scenery beautiful, and the race well organized with a smooth packet pickup, nice expo, well stocked aid stations and maybe the best finisher's medal ever. Emily and Jerry did a great job with the race, and if you have run the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon or the LeanHorse 100, you know you know what a good job they do as race directors. See you there in 2011!

Friendly volunteers, beautiful trail run, well organized race. Gradual downhill to HIll City (halfway point), then a 6+-mile gradual uphill climb to a turnaround and finish in Hill City. You can stay pretty much anywhere in Hill City and walk to the shuttle buses and back to motel. Not a lot of spectators but those who were there were enthusiastic! Could use a cool water soak for your legs at the end, a few more aid stations the second half of the marathon, and some muffins or something at the finish.