Black Hills Veteran March and Marathon
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About the race
The Black Hills Veterans March and Marathon is a multi-distance march and marathon held in the Black Hills of South Dakota that pays tribute to the sacrifices of the nation’s veterans, with special emphasis on South Dakota military personnel. The event returns proceeds to local veterans organizations and offers in-person and virtual participation options.
The event includes these distance categories:
- 110 miles endurance march on the Mickelson Trail, Edgemont to Deadwood.
- 26.2 miles full march and marathon on the Mickelson Trail, Rochford to Days of '76 Rodeo Grounds.
- 16 miles Mini March from Dumont Trailhead through Deadwood to Days of '76 Rodeo Grounds.
- 26.2 miles virtual category with a T-shirt and coin provided; no trophies for virtual finishers.
The 110-mile route follows the George S. Mickelson Trail through pine forests, crosses converted railroad bridges, passes through four rock tunnels, and runs on crushed limestone and gravel. The full march and marathon route includes multiple rest stops approximately every 3 to 5 miles for food, drink, and support. Participant divisions include individual and team entries, civilian and military divisions, relay options, and a 110-mile endurance division. The event was conceived in 2002 to honor service members and continues to focus on veteran support and community involvement. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.