Mount Rushmore Half Marathon
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Event overview
The Mount Rushmore Half Marathon is scheduled for September 12, 2026, in the Keystone/Hermosa area of South Dakota. The course starts near Ghost Canyon Getaway (Hermosa) and finishes in Keystone at the Borglum Story Museum. The event is held outside Mount Rushmore National Memorial and does not take place inside the park. Parking is available at both the start and finish, and optional shuttles run between Keystone and the start area.
The race distance is Half marathon. The course includes about 3 miles on a well-packed dirt road before turning to pavement, with an overall uphill profile and a final downhill into the finish. Elevation gain is listed as 1,850 ft and maximum elevation as 5,440 ft. The course is described as paved after the initial dirt section and is not accessible due to incline. The official time limit is 4 hours (chip time), approximately an 18 minutes per mile pace.
Logistics and services
Expo and bib pickup are scheduled the day before the race at the Baymont by Wyndham in Keystone. Finishers receive a medal and an official race shirt is available at expo. Awards include place medals for top finishers overall, masters divisions, and multiple age groups; finisher photos are provided after the event.
There are 5 aid stations on course, with a medic located at the Mile 7 station. Aid station supplies include water, Gnarly Hydrate, Honey Stinger gels, toilets, and fruit at later stations. The event is cup-free to reduce waste; participants should carry a reusable water container or approved cup. An on-site Vacation Races Campground next to the start offers primitive campsites, toilets, water, campfires, limited RV spots with no hookups, and reserved tent rentals. Reservation prices are listed for campsite only and rental options. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
