Race Reports

Eric Johnson : Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon
June 8, 2008

I ran this marathon with former Gallowayer Bob Parker. The Deadwood Marathon is run in an historic region of American History.  It is a small marathon with very few spectators but I’ve grown to appreciate the smaller, no-frills events.  There were less than 400 full marathoners but we still got a technical shirt and a medal. The race is put on by Lean-Horse Productions, which is operated by Jerry Dunn (Marathon Man). The course is run entirely (almost) on packed, crushed gravel that was converted from an old railroad bed.  All but 1.5 miles of this course is on the trail.  The first 14 miles is a gradual uphill.  Miles 14-26.2 was a gradual downhill with the exception of two small hills between miles 18 and 19.  There was a steep downhill that lasted about a quarter of a mile and it was located between miles 20 and 21.  The only spectators were the volunteers at the aid stations and they were spectacular.  I tend to rate marathons on the volunteers (friendly or not) and the course.  Though I don’t consider weather a factor, it was a beautiful day for a marathon. We started out at around 40 degrees at an elevation of just over 5000’ and rose to an elevation of 6225’ before finishing at 4566’.  This race had it all with Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park and the Badlands National Park all within driving distance.  While at Mt. Rushmore, we were able to talk with the photographer who took the famous picture of the surviving chiefs from the battle of Little Big Horn as well as a driller who worked on the construction of Mt. Rushmore.  Even though the first 14 miles is a “gradual” uphill, this course could still produce some fast times. I’d have to put this as #2 on my list behind Chicago and in front of St. George.