Kalina Emaus's Staging Area

As someone who usually just does the marathon I loved being able to hear the story of how this week of events was created and the heart behind it. Seeing so many different walks of life come together for this event was truly something special to see. This was a perfect tribute to Mark. Just shy of 3,000 people. The community and the work of those who put the race on truly made this event so special.

Positives:
-Good communication pre race.
-Solid “swag.”
-Beautiful course.
-Great aid stations and volunteers.

Negatives:
-One turn was unclear and sent many runners in the wrong direction. Unfortunately I was one of them. Once lost for four miles I personally struggled to get my head in the game so to speak and was confused when told “oh you did this part twice turn around here as you already did it twice.” But wait I am confused I haven’t done this course “correctly yet.” How am I suppose to understand this turn? I did as I was told and missed the turn mentioned above yet again and was parred to the course. I got back on track, went back to the aid station until I was kindly shown the right way to go. Yay! More miles, back on track. Figured it out for next two loops and pushed myself to be top three overall only to have the award in my hands when the race director took it away for being off course.

In all respect I understand this if I had not been told to “just skip this part.” I did the whole course I was told to do as a nice accommodation and then some and went over the distance other runners did on Strava and my map was identical minus one mile being parrel however I went back to the beginning of where I was lost: meaning I did the whole course and then some that I was told to do

It’d be one thing if I was told at mile 17 (should have been 15) you can continue but you will not be an official finisher due to being off track because I was respectfully talked to about maybe just being done. I knew I could do this race. I’ve done many trail races and even won the last one I did I just needed help in one confusing part. It was a nice accommodation to “skip over a part” but runners should have been informed of the consequence before choosing their path.

Multiple runners got turned around there was clearly some confusing areas that needed some help. Also I’d like to point out how rules stated rulers will abide by directions given by race directors. No where did it state you get off course you can’t be eligible for awards. It needs to be stated in a rule because it makes sense. Also: it was the direction of race directors that were followed. Why give a finisher award but not overall? None of this makes sense however the rule number 9 states race management decisions are final. I’m not here to fit about someone’s race & get an award. It’s about taking the good of the race and hoping the negatives can be addressed to allow this race to reach its maximum potential as this race has great potential including its beauty and great aid stations and communication pre race.

No complaints here which I’m so glad for after it seems like this race has struggled since Covid with good things to say. This race was a very delightful surprised at how nice this course was for this side of South Dakota. The course followed a nice path and had a great variety of things to see along the way. The only thing I wish was different was having downtown and falls park near the end not beginning but I know that’s out of the races control likely and just wherever 26.2 miles takes one. The volunteers from the colleges were top of the line supportive and made the race come alive.

This was really fun. I loved every idea this race had to offer and all the course had to offer. Friendly aid station workers, really nice fast and challenging trail. Accommodations were made as needed. Hope to be back for more fun!

What a beautiful well marked course. Easy to navigate, perfect level of challenging and fast. Unique awards that really remind you of where you were and great memories made. Hope to be back again.