Mt. Rushmore Marathon - 8 Oct 2006

Mt. Rushmore Marathon (Hill City, SD)
48th Marathon
32nd State
10/8/2006
16th Place
3:34:11
The Mt. Rushmore Marathon has been running for 28 years, but had another face lift this year with a new course. Last year, the course ran from Crazy Horse Monument to Mt. Rushmore. This year, the course ran from Mt. Rushmore to Hill City. There was also the Crazy Horse Marathon that started at Crazy Horse, met up with the Mt. Rushmore Marathon at 10 miles and then finished together. My dad and I entered the Mt. Rushmore Marathon because we didn't have South Dakota in our quest for 50 states. So, this was intended to be a long run for me. What it turned into was a wonderful strength building workout. This was because of all the hills on the hills on the course. The first 10 miles were very hilly, with mile long uphills and downhills along the way (and some of them were really steep). Then we ran into Hill City on the Mickelson Trail (a 105 mile long trail similar to the Highline Canal). Just after the half way point in downtown Hill City, we started a six mile, 600 foot climb to the 19 mile mark. This was when it started to get really hard. That was followed by a run back into Hill City on the Mickelson Trail. This downhill section was beautiful, but my legs were so tired from all the hills that i couldn't get it going so I just managed to finish without walking. There wasn't any food at the finish, which was a problem, but I was able to get food back at the hotel room. Overall, the course was beautiful, but it was the hardest road course I have run.