River Rat Run
Yankton, SD
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The River Rat Run started in 2009 to honor SFC Rich Schild, who gave his life on December 4, 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rich was devoted to his family, friends, and community, and this event carries on his legacy by donating all race proceeds to local nonprofit organizations. Participants … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 25):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 53 | 58 | 63 | 59 | 50 |
| L (°F) | 40 | 44 | 53 | 34 | 34 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Pretty Lakeside Loop
Good March run that could be cold and blustery or sunny and hot. Great course around, over and back around the river/lake through campgrounds and paths. Decent finish line spread, … MORE
Good March run that could be cold and blustery or sunny and hot. Great course around, over and back around the river/lake through campgrounds and paths. Decent finish line spread, but expect little crowd support. Odd-looking medal, but at least they got one!
Gorgeous course!
This was a beautiful course through Lewis & Clark park and campgrounds. It was on well maintained, paved paths. Lots of volunteers directing us and cheering us on, really wonderful. … MORE
This was a beautiful course through Lewis & Clark park and campgrounds. It was on well maintained, paved paths. Lots of volunteers directing us and cheering us on, really wonderful. The only thing suboptimal was the wind. Sustained 35-45 mph with frequent gusts at 65 mph. The wind was brutal.
A Missouri River gem
This race begins in a waterfront park and is run mostly along paved bicycle paths. Heading west, the course goes up a slight incline and then drops down a long, … MORE
This race begins in a waterfront park and is run mostly along paved bicycle paths. Heading west, the course goes up a slight incline and then drops down a long, steep hill. Once reaching the Gavins Point Dam, the course goes through the scenic Lewis and Clark State Park with views of Lewis and Clark Lake. Waterfowl and other birds are numerous in this peaceful stretch. After reaching the 10-mile mark, we headed back the way we came until we got to the dam. We then skirted the west side of Lake Yankton, then traveled back to highway 52 and up a long, steep hill to the city limits. We then turned north, then east and hit the Auld Brokaw Trail which follows Marne Creek. This trail goes underneath several road underpasses, which dip down steeply under the road and then climb short, but steep inclines onto the other side. The drop at these underpasses is only about 5 feet, but the steepness prevents you from maintaining a steady pace at this part of the race which is less than 5 miles from the finish. The trail circles around to the finish line which is at the scenic waterfront park. The medals were small and weren’t race specific, but nicely done.
Very nice small-town marathon
This marathon starts in the park along the Missouri River waterfront. It then goes slightly uphill and then down a fairly long, steep hill alongside highway 52 to the bottomland … MORE
This marathon starts in the park along the Missouri River waterfront. It then goes slightly uphill and then down a fairly long, steep hill alongside highway 52 to the bottomland below Gavins Point Dam. From there, it goes through the park at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, then back again towards town, detouring around Lake Yankton, then back up the big hill. Once you arrive back in town, you hit the Auld-Brokaw Trail which follows Marne Creek through town. Eventually, you arrive back at the waterfront park and then make a loop around to the finish.