Fits Do Race Reviews: Guest Post: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Marathon

There’s a time and a place for everything, right?  Sometimes South Dakota calls.  If your running journey is leaving you looking for a logistically easy, inexpensive race on a flat course, worry your pretty head no longer.  Look no further than the Sioux Falls Marathon held in none other than Sioux Falls, South Dakota on the second weekend in September. 

This year was the third annual running of the full marathon.  There is also a half marathon and 5k option if you have family/pals eager to support you and run a bit, but not eager to join your grueling 26.2 mile slog through the South Dakota countryside.  There were 263 marathon finishers and a reported 2,200 total runners in all three events – a select and special group.

The bottom line: you probably cannot go wrong with this race unless you are looking for big crowds.  The name of the game was easy – well, as “easy” as running a marathon can be.

Though I did not consult Merriam Webster for a definition on race expos, I wouldn’t actually call this an expo.  Rather, it was a few tables manned by friendly volunteers.
  

There weren’t any frills, but all of the essentials were there: pins, course maps and nice technical t-shirts.  It was truly a no hassle expo.  There was plenty of GU at the expo and also at the bag drop the next morning.

The race start is one of the easiest that I’ve ever experienced.  The race started at 6:45 a.m.  The Sheraton, the hotel closest to the start, is within easy walking distance (.4 miles).  We waited in the warmth of the hotel until close to 6:15 and then walked over.  The race starts in a stadium so there are plenty of potties that were actual flush toilets with sinks outside – that’s a win.  

Bag drop was again just a couple of tables with friendly volunteers and lots of free GU.

The race itself is well organized and run on a flat, fast course.  There were plenty of water stops and volunteers were not only smiling, but also yelled out which side the water was on and which side the Powerade was on.  This skillfully avoided runner-on-runner collisions.  Although the course was relatively flat, there were a few drawbacks.  First, there were quite a few hard turns between miles 16 and 23 – a tough point in the race to deal with hard turns, if one ever really likes dealing with hard turns.  Second, although the course was relatively well-marked, there were a few areas in the city parks (towards the end of the race between miles 17 and 23) where there weren’t markers.  It seemed to be assumed that runners would follow the sidewalk, but because this isn’t a heavily populated race, you’d better hope there are other runners around to make sure you’re headed in the right direction!

(Sidebar: There actually was a man this year who got lost on the marathon route, and finished several hours early. Read about it here . From Amber’s review, it sounds like it really could have been an honest mistake!)

Where there were spectators, they were grand.  They were friendly and active.  My particular favorite was the college rodeo kids with their buckles, boots, and cowboy hats at mile 19.  Nothing puts a little pep in your step, pride in your stride, or hussle in the muscle like seeing a cowboy (or gal).  But, alas, this was Sioux Falls and there were significant portions of the course that uninhabited.  Ipods are permitted on the course so I would strongly recommend a playlist of your most inspiring favorites.  You won’t be sorry unless silence is your thing.

This year, the race fell on September 9 so it was the last Boston qualifier (Boston registration opened on September 10) in the area.  If you’re looking for a race to BQ at this could be the one.  Be mindful of the weather.  We got lucky and had perfect race day weather.  It was in the low ‘50’s at the start and reached the mid ‘60’s by the time we finished.  Although September 9 was stellar weather, the day before and the day after were both hot and windy.  An early September marathon in South Dakota is not guaranteed great weather – but it can happen!

The goodies at the end were delicious, plentiful and spot on.  My personal favorite, chocolate milk, was readily available as were protein shakes.  Seconds and thirds were encouraged.  

The usual post-race fare of bagels, bananas, etc. was also on hand.  The only thing missing was beer. L  What can I say?  I was raised in Wisconsin, we’re always on to the hunt for beer!

The race finish was uncrowded and it is easy to locate your party and catch buses back to the start.

This race most certainly gets my endorsement!