Leading Ladies and Dakota Spirit Marathon
Picture this: a perfect place, a perfect pace, a perfect race…Knowing a downhill marathon is about speed, and that it’s going to be a fast run, I still encourage you to take the time to look around and savor the unique beauty only a Black Hills of South Dakota Marathon can provide. This course has proven a spiritual journey for me and I hope when you cross that finish line you feel the same way!
Busing
Marathon/Relay
Holiday Inn - 4:00 AM
City Park (Finish Line) - 4:00 AM
Half Marathon
Holiday Inn - 5:00 AM
City Park (Finish Line) - 5:00 AM
10 K
City Park (Finish Line) Only - 5:30 AM
Drop bags will be available at each start line and will meet you at the finish line.
We will strictly enforce our 6 hour time limit after the Men's start, you must maintain a 13:45 minute pace. If you are not at that pace by mile 18, you will not be allowed to continue. you must follow all of the directions of the course marshals. Otherwise you will be disqualified immediately. If you do not make the 6 hour cut off, you will be listed as DNF. If you disregard the directions of course marshals, you will not be allowed to register for this race again.
Leading Ladies Women’s Marathon Race
Start Line: Lead Country Club
Race Start Time: 6:00 AM MST
Bus to Start Available: Yes - No return service
Drop off at start Available: Yes Drop Bag: Yes, until 5:45 AM
Dakota Spirit Men’s Marathon Race
Start Line: Lead Country Club Race
Start Time: 6:15 AM MST
Bus to Start Available: Yes - No return service
Drop off at start Available: Yes Drop Bag: Yes, until 6:00 AM
Dakota Spirit Half Marathon
Race Start Line: Approx 1/4 mile N of Savoy
Race Start Time: 6:30 AM MST
Bus to Start Available: Yes -No return service
Drop off at start Available: Yes, at Savoy
Drop Bag: Yes, until 6:15 AM
Dakota Spirit 10K
Race Start Line: Bridal Veil Falls
Race Start Time: 6:30 AM MDT
Bus to Start Available: Yes - No return service
Drop off at start Available: Yes, but no parking
Drop Bag: Yes, until 6:15 AM
Marathon Course:
Okay, on your marks! You will begin your fast South Dakota marathon from the Lead Country Club and head out on a new out and back within Lead Country Club. Then you turn into Bogie Circle. This sub-divsion has a couple of runnable hills. Once you exit the sub-division you will be back onto gravel on Hanna Road which you will encounter the last big hill. But once at its peak you will encounter a glorious long down-hill that’s tempting to pick up the pace; be aware!
Coast past the Hanna campground at mile 5 and around mile 6 you will change from gravel to asphalt.
At the intersection of Hanna Road and HYW 85 you will cross the road to Cheyenne Crossing, site of the 1870’s Cheyenne to Deadwood Stagecoach route. Left onto HYW 14A begins a 6.5 mile treelined roadway to the 12 mile mark at Savoy.
Turn left at Savoy and is this is where we took out 90% of the orginal course. This very short out and back will definetly inprove your back half race.
Exit Roughlock Road past the Spearfish Canyon Lodge and back onto the asphalt of HWY 14A. Keep an eye out for mountain goats making their way along the cliffs to your left. You are now at the half marathon start and halfway through your fast South Dakota Marathon! It’s all downhill from here so enjoy cruisin’ the Scenic Byway alongside Spearfish Creek. Check out the historic 1912 Hydro-plant, Bridal Veil Falls, and enjoy the shade courtesy of the towering shale and limestone canyon walls.
As the canyon opens up you are twenty-five miles in and it’s time to break from the canyon. Head left for a short jaunt on Winterville road, and then immediately onto the city bike path. Over the bridge, then begin your final sprint to cross that finish line strong!
