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Marathon Details - Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > SD > Deadwood > Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon

Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon

Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon & Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K

Deadwood, SD USA

June 1, 2025

http://www.DeadwoodMickelsonTrailMarathon.com

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Race Details

The Deadwood - Mickelson Trail Marathon is a point to point course, beginning in Rochford, SD and ending on Main Street in Historic DEADWOOD. The first 24.5 miles are on the trail - a 10 foot wide, well-groomed, easy-on-the-knees, super-scenic pathway through the breathtakingly beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. The last mile and half are run through the streets of Deadwood. There's not a course like this one anywhere in the world! Running Times called our course "The Perfect Marathon Course." And Runners' World called us "The Best Kept Secret in Marathoning" Come see for yourself!

Contact Information

Name:	Emily Wheeler
Address:	8510 Kings Court Rapid City SD 57702
Phone Number:	605.390.6137
Email:	Email the organizers

More Information

These details were last updated by the race director on 5/16/24 and may be out of date.
Number of Runners:	3,000
Number of Spectators:	3,000
Fees & Deadlines:	please visit event website
Start Time:	8:00 AM
Course Highlights:	Starting in the tiny town of Rochford, at the Small of America, the course moves onto the Mickelson Trail within the first mile. The next 24.5 miles are run through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, and the last 1.5 miles are a tour of Historic Deadwood.
Course Refreshments:	Runners will be refreshed every 2 miles with not only the usual aid station stuff, but also by enthusiasitic volunteers.
Certified? Certification:	Yes, USTAF
Race Day Registration:	none
Online Registration:	www.getmeregistered
Packet Pickup Info:	Friday and Saturday
Marathon Ratings:	Course Scenery/Beauty/Interest: Good for First Timers: Crowd Support: Course Speed:

Runner Reviews (110)

Course 4.9

Organization 4.7

Spectators 3.5

Write a review

Number of comments: 110 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 11 > ]

M. S. from Connecticut (8/22/2021) "Pretty Course, Awful Pre-Race Information" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The course is very challenging. While the first mile is downhill the next 13 are an unrelenting uphill climb. But, the bike path (that the course runs on) is very scenic. As a bonus the aid stations are well run and the volunteers quite friendly. As you would expect given the race is on a rails-to-trail course, there are no spectators to speak of. The one negative is the misleading race communication. Based on the web pages my friend and I thought we had until 7:15 to catch the last bus to the start. Turns out it was 7:00! We were lucky to have made it, since we were trying to get out early. Also, the RD put out a very ambiguous email that left people wondering if cups would be available at the water stops. The note's wording made it seem like you would have to bring your own bottle and refill it yourself at the aid stations. Fortunately, no. But, you could not get a straight answer to this at the Expo information table. There you were told to find the RD to get a definitive answer. I was not the only one confused by that email since I overheard several others asking whether cups of water would be available on course. What a mess!
L. G. from Arizona (6/16/2021) "beautiful run through the Black Hills" (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I loved running on the Mickelson railtrail through the forests and meadows, alongside streams, and even through a tunnel where a friendly volunteer offered that she had 'chased out the bears'. There aren't many spectators because of the remote railtrail, and I really loved running in the quiet. The race director is extremely responsive to questions and everything went as advertised.
T. K. from Cincinnati, OH (6/11/2018) "Most Beautiful Marathon Course Ever" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Top 10 Reasons to Run Deadwood 10 - The course - the most beautiful I've run & mountain streams, forests, alpine meadows 9 - Southwest South Dakota - so much to see before and after the run (Badlands, Wall Drug, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Deadwood) 8 - Late start - the negative side is the late start exposes the runners to more heat, but the positive side is that you get to sleep in longer 7 - Water stations - there weren't enough but when you reached one, the water was refreshingly cold 6 - The trail - running on crushed dirt surface seems easier on legs than a road race 5 - The elevation profile - although the first 14 miles are a gradual, but unrelenting uphill; almost all of the second half of the race is a gradual downhill 4 - A difficult race - knowing that as you cross the Finish Line, you have conquered one of the most difficult marathons & the hardest that I've done. 3 - The finisher's medal - with the Deadman's poker hand displayed - aces and eights! 2 - The smell of the pine trees 1 - The sound of the streams
F. B. from South Texas (6/20/2017) "Beautiful Race!" (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 10th marathon and my 1st DMTM. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL! Very peaceful run. I opted to go without headphones so I could just take it all in. The 14 mile incline is very slow and steady where you hardly notice it, but it definitely did take a toll on me. So much so that I couldn't even take advantage of the 12 miles of downhill after that. This was my slowest race but definitely the most scenic. It was the hottest day of 2017 for that area, so the locals didn't fair too well. I'm from South Texas, so while it wasn't ideal running temperatures, it was better than 95 degrees. Plenty of aid stations, very few spectators simply because it's not easy to get to. Loved the medal and shirt, overall it was a great race. If you're looking for something with a Rock 'n Roll atmosphere, running with 20 thousand people with thousands of spectators, this isn't the race for you.
K. M. from Vermont (6/6/2017) "Beautiful and scenic run thru the Black Hills" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Really enjoyed the race. stayed at the host hotel and bus service was great. Elevation and going uphill for first 14 miles will not give you a new record but it is very pretty and a great way to see the Black Hills.
R. T. from Alexandria, Virginia (6/7/2016) "POSTCARD COURSE IN HISTORIC DEADWOOD" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a beautiful and challenging course, made more challenging by the fact I had a minor injury going in. The race was well organized and the bus transportation at the start and finish were very timely. Spectators are scarce for large portions of the course but the ones there are enthusiastic. Near perfect weather this year, though waiting for the start was pretty chilly. Recommendation to organizers; hot cider would be great at the start line for those cold mornings. I have family in the area so I will probably do this race again. If you're looking for a SD race, this is a good one.
A. T. from Chicago (6/6/2016) "Very scenic course" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Wear gaiters (even if Expo people say you don't need them) not critical but I got several small stones in my shoes during the race. First Gold Hotel is right across the road from where the buses take you to Start. Bring a water bottle very dry heat, and I drank 10 oz. in between aid stations especially in second half when it got quite warm (and it's dry heat). Layer for waiting at start 36 degrees, even though weather app said 50 for Deadwood. You wait a LONG time if you take an early bus; a later bus means LONG party-potty line. To get sun while waiting for start, walk a little ways down the road where the sun will heat you up a little. Altitude and long steady incline make it a tough first half. Very, very scenic course (no spectators whatsoever).
Stephen James from Colfax, Indiana (6/16/2015) "A great course&a must do" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is the thing...it's a tough first half...4000 to 6300 ft. Then the second half & down back to Deadwood at 4400 ft elevation. I was really challenged to go slow enough to enjoy the second half and passed many tired out runners but ran mostly by my self. 460 started out but less than 400 finished and I won't forget it and must go back!!
A. H. from Denver, CO (6/16/2015) "Gorgeous race in a quaint area" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What a great race! The course profile shows that it's no joke (uphill for the first 14 miles or so) but the gorgeous scenery of the black hills and a river by you most of the way ease the pain. :-) There were only about 350 marathoners so it was never terribly crowded and you got to know the folks around you. Water stops were roughly every 2 miles, which wasnt quite enough given the temps (70s) - next time I would carry my own water just in case. Aid stations had m&ms, orange and banana slices as well as water and electrolyte drink. Because the course is on the trail there werent a ton of spectators other than at the relay stations, but it was actually great as you could enjoy the scenery and noises of nature. I DID step over a tiny garter snake, so there's that. The half-marathoners start at the halfway point of the course at the same time as the marathoners, and I was surprised how many walkers I caught up with. Generally it wasnt a congestion problem until the last couple miles. However, most were very supportive and cheerful as you ran by them. I placed 3rd in my AG and the award was a railway tie painted bronze. Very quaint! In the evening we went out in town to the old saloon and ate in a restaurant owned by Kevin Costner decorated with memorabilia from some of his movies. What a fun trip! In my quest to complete 50 states, I'm not sure I can take the time to come back to Deadwood, but I'd recommend it for others!
E. H. from New York (6/10/2015) "Tough race on a beautiful trail" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Mickelson Trail is a beautiful, well maintained former rail road track. The course is challenging however particularly is you are used to running at sea level. The first 14 miles are a steady uphill with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. My mile splits were very slow particularly towards miles 10-14, but then I had a huge negative split coming down in the second half. My one critique of the race is that there were not enough water stops. The air in the Black Hills felt very dry to me (perhaps it was the result of elevation?) and water was only available every 2-2.5 miles. I would suggest bringing your own water to supplement. Also, be fore warned that there are very few spectators (likely due to the nature of the course).

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M. S. from Connecticut (8/22/2021) "Pretty Course, Awful Pre-Race Information" (about: 2021) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 The course is very challenging. While the first mile is downhill the next 13 are an unrelenting uphill climb. But, the bike path (that the course runs on) is very scenic. As a bonus the aid stations are well run and the volunteers quite friendly. As you would expect given the race is on a rails-to-trail course, there are no spectators to speak of. The one negative is the misleading race communication. Based on the web pages my friend and I thought we had until 7:15 to catch the last bus to the start. Turns out it was 7:00! We were lucky to have made it, since we were trying to get out early. Also, the RD put out a very ambiguous email that left people wondering if cups would be available at the water stops. The note's wording made it seem like you would have to bring your own bottle and refill it yourself at the aid stations. Fortunately, no. But, you could not get a straight answer to this at the Expo information table. There you were told to find the RD to get a definitive answer. I was not the only one confused by that email since I overheard several others asking whether cups of water would be available on course. What a mess!
L. G. from Arizona (6/16/2021) "beautiful run through the Black Hills" (about: 2021) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I loved running on the Mickelson railtrail through the forests and meadows, alongside streams, and even through a tunnel where a friendly volunteer offered that she had 'chased out the bears'. There aren't many spectators because of the remote railtrail, and I really loved running in the quiet. The race director is extremely responsive to questions and everything went as advertised.
T. K. from Cincinnati, OH (6/11/2018) "Most Beautiful Marathon Course Ever" (about: 2018) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Top 10 Reasons to Run Deadwood 10 - The course - the most beautiful I've run & mountain streams, forests, alpine meadows 9 - Southwest South Dakota - so much to see before and after the run (Badlands, Wall Drug, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Deadwood) 8 - Late start - the negative side is the late start exposes the runners to more heat, but the positive side is that you get to sleep in longer 7 - Water stations - there weren't enough but when you reached one, the water was refreshingly cold 6 - The trail - running on crushed dirt surface seems easier on legs than a road race 5 - The elevation profile - although the first 14 miles are a gradual, but unrelenting uphill; almost all of the second half of the race is a gradual downhill 4 - A difficult race - knowing that as you cross the Finish Line, you have conquered one of the most difficult marathons & the hardest that I've done. 3 - The finisher's medal - with the Deadman's poker hand displayed - aces and eights! 2 - The smell of the pine trees 1 - The sound of the streams
F. B. from South Texas (6/20/2017) "Beautiful Race!" (about: 2017) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 10th marathon and my 1st DMTM. All I can say is BEAUTIFUL! Very peaceful run. I opted to go without headphones so I could just take it all in. The 14 mile incline is very slow and steady where you hardly notice it, but it definitely did take a toll on me. So much so that I couldn't even take advantage of the 12 miles of downhill after that. This was my slowest race but definitely the most scenic. It was the hottest day of 2017 for that area, so the locals didn't fair too well. I'm from South Texas, so while it wasn't ideal running temperatures, it was better than 95 degrees. Plenty of aid stations, very few spectators simply because it's not easy to get to. Loved the medal and shirt, overall it was a great race. If you're looking for something with a Rock 'n Roll atmosphere, running with 20 thousand people with thousands of spectators, this isn't the race for you.
K. M. from Vermont (6/6/2017) "Beautiful and scenic run thru the Black Hills" (about: 2017) 50+ previous marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Really enjoyed the race. stayed at the host hotel and bus service was great. Elevation and going uphill for first 14 miles will not give you a new record but it is very pretty and a great way to see the Black Hills.
R. T. from Alexandria, Virginia (6/7/2016) "POSTCARD COURSE IN HISTORIC DEADWOOD" (about: 2016) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was a beautiful and challenging course, made more challenging by the fact I had a minor injury going in. The race was well organized and the bus transportation at the start and finish were very timely. Spectators are scarce for large portions of the course but the ones there are enthusiastic. Near perfect weather this year, though waiting for the start was pretty chilly. Recommendation to organizers; hot cider would be great at the start line for those cold mornings. I have family in the area so I will probably do this race again. If you're looking for a SD race, this is a good one.
A. T. from Chicago (6/6/2016) "Very scenic course" (about: 2016) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 Wear gaiters (even if Expo people say you don't need them) not critical but I got several small stones in my shoes during the race. First Gold Hotel is right across the road from where the buses take you to Start. Bring a water bottle very dry heat, and I drank 10 oz. in between aid stations especially in second half when it got quite warm (and it's dry heat). Layer for waiting at start 36 degrees, even though weather app said 50 for Deadwood. You wait a LONG time if you take an early bus; a later bus means LONG party-potty line. To get sun while waiting for start, walk a little ways down the road where the sun will heat you up a little. Altitude and long steady incline make it a tough first half. Very, very scenic course (no spectators whatsoever).
Stephen James from Colfax, Indiana (6/16/2015) "A great course&a must do" (about: 2015) 50+ previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The course is the thing...it's a tough first half...4000 to 6300 ft. Then the second half & down back to Deadwood at 4400 ft elevation. I was really challenged to go slow enough to enjoy the second half and passed many tired out runners but ran mostly by my self. 460 started out but less than 400 finished and I won't forget it and must go back!!
A. H. from Denver, CO (6/16/2015) "Gorgeous race in a quaint area" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What a great race! The course profile shows that it's no joke (uphill for the first 14 miles or so) but the gorgeous scenery of the black hills and a river by you most of the way ease the pain. :-) There were only about 350 marathoners so it was never terribly crowded and you got to know the folks around you. Water stops were roughly every 2 miles, which wasnt quite enough given the temps (70s) - next time I would carry my own water just in case. Aid stations had m&ms, orange and banana slices as well as water and electrolyte drink. Because the course is on the trail there werent a ton of spectators other than at the relay stations, but it was actually great as you could enjoy the scenery and noises of nature. I DID step over a tiny garter snake, so there's that. The half-marathoners start at the halfway point of the course at the same time as the marathoners, and I was surprised how many walkers I caught up with. Generally it wasnt a congestion problem until the last couple miles. However, most were very supportive and cheerful as you ran by them. I placed 3rd in my AG and the award was a railway tie painted bronze. Very quaint! In the evening we went out in town to the old saloon and ate in a restaurant owned by Kevin Costner decorated with memorabilia from some of his movies. What a fun trip! In my quest to complete 50 states, I'm not sure I can take the time to come back to Deadwood, but I'd recommend it for others!
E. H. from New York (6/10/2015) "Tough race on a beautiful trail" (about: 2015) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The Mickelson Trail is a beautiful, well maintained former rail road track. The course is challenging however particularly is you are used to running at sea level. The first 14 miles are a steady uphill with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. My mile splits were very slow particularly towards miles 10-14, but then I had a huge negative split coming down in the second half. My one critique of the race is that there were not enough water stops. The air in the Black Hills felt very dry to me (perhaps it was the result of elevation?) and water was only available every 2-2.5 miles. I would suggest bringing your own water to supplement. Also, be fore warned that there are very few spectators (likely due to the nature of the course).

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Marathon Details - Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon