Sundance to Spearfish Marathon
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Event Overview
The Sundance to Spearfish Marathon is a point-to-point race that traverses the Black Hills of Wyoming and South Dakota. The event provides a unique opportunity for participants to choose which state their finish counts toward for record-keeping purposes. The race is held on a USATF certified course, making it a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
Course Details
The marathon distance of 26.2 miles features a significant net elevation loss, making it a fast route. It consists of two distinct segments:
- Marathon: 26.2 miles
The first 12 miles of the course begin at Cement Ridge and proceed to Savoy. This section is set on improved gravel roads that pass through mountain meadows, valleys, and canyons. This portion of the trail includes a total descent of 1,606 feet. While primarily downhill, there is an elevation gain of 169 feet between mile 2.00 and mile 2.56. During this segment, participants pass the winter filming location for the movie "Dances with Wolves" at approximately mile 9.35.
The final 14 miles are run on hardtop pavement, following the Spearfish Canyon Highway (Route 14A), which is designated as a National Scenic Byway. This section shared with the Leading Ladies Marathon drops an additional 1,364 feet as it descends into Spearfish, South Dakota. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
