Colt Foutz's Staging Area

Granted, some heavy rains in the weeks before the race ended up closing the bike paths we were supposed to run on. But I liked the portions of the course winding through downtown and the college campuses the best. The “meh” bit had to do with all the out-and-back sections that ended up stitched together to add up to the 26.2. The expo was nothing spectacular. The running jacket was novel, I guess, though pretty flimsily made. 10th anniversary medal was nice and big. They made you walk back to downtown to hit the after-race party, by which time I was pooped. Don’t know how many times (and emails) I heard about Joan Jett at the Fargodome. All righty, then!

BAM does it better than just about anyone, and they have the track record, busy race calendar, and incomparable swag to prove it. This has got to be their highlight — over and above North Myrtle and Myrtle and Ocean Isle and Sunset, Oak Island just brings together the right blend of island-covering courses, top-tier support, a sprinkle of avid spectators, and top-notch awards and after-race festivities to keep you going back. Runners are their top priority, and it shows. Well worth the pricey fees. Great expo, fine shirts, and BIG ASS MEDAL.

Been running this since college in the 1990s. Returned after 20+ years away and same great production, same awesome course through Squirrel Hill and Oakland into downtown and the big finish at the Point. Swag could be better. Great medal and shirt.

Brookgreen Gardens is an awesome stop when you have the time to explore it and appreciate the sculptures and landscaping. That’s not going to happen in a quick sprint. Though the race is well-run, I wonder why they try to do it here? The paths are a bit sloppy and muddy, and you’re not always sure of your footing or what’s around the next bend. Would have enjoyed lingering more with a party and food and more venue-themed swag and medals. Still: a nice stop in Carolina.

These guys know how to race. Expertly produced. A huge field of runners for this early-season event. Decent swag, and awesome amenities on site — mimosas, food, photos. Very well-staffed, and a scenic course away from downtown through the woods and around the lake. Decent spectating for all that, too. Challenging hill toward the end. You’ll earn your worm!

What an awesome race! Run by Garmin, so you’re well cared for with ample water stops and spectator support, the course is exceptional. I ran the half-marathon, so got just a great look at downtown and Country Club Plaza, with awesome Fall weather to boot. GREAT BARBECUE AND BEER at the finish. Will have to do the full someday! And the pre-race expo was great, too.

In many ways, I prefer the Skedaddle to any other race in Sioux Falls, even over the marathon. But the course we had in ’22 was better, with a start downtown, and winding through neighborhood streets before hitting the bike path and winding our way back to a downtown finish. That northwest end of the trail just isn’t as good as a neighborhood/northeast end of the trail vibe. No complaints about the medal, or the organization. Expo has been a bit of a dud. Could do more with the after-party: let’s whoop it up!

Love the course. Learned a lot as a young runner. Gotta check it out now in its half-marathon configuration. Looks like they kept the beast of a hill, and the loop in and out of downtown. Dig that there’s a finisher medal now.

I first ran this as a high-schooler back in the 20K days. Coming from a hilly part of the state, I used to eat up that 3-mile incline. Was one of my first big races so loved the crowd support and streaming downhill into downtown, and the banquet, after.