Real runner feedback on course feel, crowd support, aid stations, and logistics (parking, hotels, restaurants).
Pacers starting at 3:30 and every 15 minutes after. Good volunteers. Would have been nice to have somewhere to sit at the finish.
Some small rolling hills but no killer hills. Early start was well timed to avoid heat.
Stayed at the Sheraton at reduced rate. 6 minute walk to start and finish. Noon checkout
I have ran this course 2 years running and BQ'd and PR both times. The course is turny, and has frequent sudden hills but none are overwhelming. The hardest hill is probably in the first 5 miles. There r small steep hills all the way finish. The pacer is what got me through so well. 3:30 pacer was incredible! Also love the free parking, the fact the race furnished 2 pairs of sleeves included, was very exciting to me. Also good communication!
Follow the pacers and get a buddy! Its a small race make a friend! The course is windy and has short sudden hills. Frequent water and gatorade stops but most of the people werent ready when i got to the table and i found myself getting my own. Very friendly though but need to b more prepared
Sioux Falls really impressed me (mostly lived in major metros and never experienced small town Midwest). Wonderful sense of community and small big mighty crowd support. Great cool weather, ring of parks around the city meant very little road crossings after maybe mile 14 or so. Well organized and super easy to get in and get out. Given timing late in the bq qualifying season, seemed to be a good group of fast runners relative to the size of the race. I would definitely run this one again.
Levee out and back towArd the end is a little boring and exposed to the sun. Nothing major but good to be aware. Ample parking at the start. Most hills were in first half.
I stayed at a 45/night Airbnb. There were plenty of hotel rooms but was doing this on the cheap and it was fine. Also allowed me to be walkble to downtown (not where the expo or start line are, though) so I rented a car.
Describing the course as flat is a lie! Adding up only the bigger uphill sections that were recorded with my garmin, I got 600 ft of uphill. This does not include the smaller hills or the little stuff. There is a 6 mile flat section from mile 8 to 14 and the last 3 miles are mostly flat.
Don't get carried away with your pace at the beginning. Those hills will come back to haunt you at mile 14 when they start again and leave you exhausted for the last 3 miles. Lots of volunteers and water stops on the course. Don't be afraid to take advantage of them and several have Hammer gels.
Great if you can stay right at the start, Their recommended hotel gives a discount and is quite nice. Right at the start.