MARATHON COURSE (26.2 Miles):  The marathon will start at Mt Rushmore and proceed down Highway 244 to the Highway 385 intersection then head North into Hill City.  The course will then loop through the Northside of Hill City and head South on the Mickelson Trail towards Crazy Horse Memorial for the big finish.  AllSportCentral will provide Champion Chip timing, three splits, chip time, and gun time for each participant.  The course will be certified and a Boston Qualifier. 

HALF MARATHON COURSE (13.1 Miles):  The half marathon will start in downtown Hill City near the intersection of Main and McGregor then loop through the Northside of Hill City and then head South on the Mickelson Trail towards Crazy Horse Memorial for the big finish.  AllSportCentral will provide Champion Chip timing, one split, chip time, and gun time for each participant.  The course will be certified.

5K RUN/WALK (3.1 Miles):  The 5K will be an out and back course starting and finishing at the marathon finish at Crazy Horse Memorial.  AllSportCentral will provide Champion Chip timing, chip time, and gun time for each participant.

MARATHON RELAY COURSE:  The marathon will start at Mt Rushmore and proceed down Highway 244 to the Highway 385 intersection then head North into Hill City.  The course will then loop through the Northside of Hill City and head South on the Mickelson Trail towards Crazy Horse Memorial for the finish.   AllSportCentral will provide Champion Chip timing and splits for each relay leg.  Relay exchange points will be as follows:  

LEG 1:  Mt Rushmore to Palmer Gulch

LEG 2:  Palmer Gulch to Hill City

LEG 3: Hill City to Rafter J

LEG 4: Rafter J to Crazy Horse

The marathon course will close after 6 hours and the half marathon course after 5 hours.   If you plan on walking or you are not sure that you will be able to finish within the 6 hour limit, you may want to consider participating in the half marathon.  Course lengths:  Marathon 26.2 miles, Half-Marathon 13.1 miles, and Marathon Relay 26.2 miles ( 4 legs each 6-7 miles in length).

CHIP TIMING & CLOCKS:  Champion Chip Timing powered by AllSportCentral will be provided.  Splits will be provided at each relay exchange point for all events.  Timing clocks will be located at the Half Marathon Start in Hill City and at the Finish Line @ Crazy Horse Memorial.

ELEVATION:  MILE 0 - Mt Rushmore Marathon Start (elev. 5208 ft), MILE 6 - Palmer Gulch (elev 5054 ft), MILE 13.1 - Hill City (elev. 5026 ft), MILE 20 - Rafter J (elev. 5475), MILE 26.2 - Crazy Horse (elev. 5885 ft).  Please select the image below to view the elevation map.

Elevation Map

AIDE STATIONS:  Aide stations will be provided approx. every three (3) miles during the first half marathon and approx. every two (2) mile over the final half marathon.   Water will be available at every aide station.   Energy drinks and foods will also be available at predetermined aide stations.  Aide station locations and contents will be posted here as they are finalized.

  AIDE STATION 1:  M2.5 - Horsethief Lake - water

  AIDE STATION 2:  M6.0 & M7.0 - Palmer Gulch - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 3:  M10 - HW244/HW385 Intersection - water

  AIDE STATION 4:  M12 - Mangy Moose on HW 385 (Near Road) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 5:  M13.1 - Buffalo Bob's Downtown Hill City (Inbound) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 6:  M14.5 - Songbird Rd/Deerfield Road Intersection - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 7:  M16 - Buffalo Bob's Downtown Hill City (Outbound) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 8:  M18 - Mangy Moose on HW 385 (on Mickelson Trail) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 9:  M20 - Rafter J (Near HW 385/HW87 on Mickelson Trail) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 10:  M22 -Oreville Station (on Mickelson Trail) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 11:  M24 - Near Helicopter Pad (on Mickelson Trail) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 12:  M25 - Crazy Horse Entrance (just off Mickelson Trail) - water & gatorade

  AIDE STATION 13:  M26.2 - Crazy Horse Memorial (all the aide you need you just completed the Monumental Challenge!!!!!!)

VIEWING POINTS:  Pre-designated Viewing Points will be established for friends, family, fans, and the general public along the course.   Viewing Points will include Mt Rushmore, Palmer Gulch, Downtown Hill City, Rafter J and Crazy Horse Memorial.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:  Fall in the Black Hills is beautiful as the leaves begin to change color.  The weather is temperate with monthly high/low averages in September 74/46 and October 62/35. 

EVENT DAY TRANSPORTATION:  Shuttles will be provided between the Start/Finish areas and the Host Hotels for all participants and fans.  Review the Shuttle Schedule for details.