The Run Crazy Horse Marathon course has a net elevation loss with two significant downhills and one long downhill.
The course rises for nearly two miles from the start at approximately a 1.25% grade. For the next 7.5 miles the course descends almost 800 feet (2% downhill grade). After a mile mile flat section around the turn-around point, the course rises nearly 600 feet for the next 6.25 miles. The course then drops 900 feet over the last 9.5 miles (2%) to the finish.
The race starts at the Crazy Horse Memorial. The first 3 miles are within the Memorial Grounds. Participants will pass by the old schoolhouse and loop out to the bus turnaround at the base of the Crazy Horse Carving. At mile 3, the course becomes the Mickelson Trail. Runners finish on Main Street in Hill City The last half of the course is an out and back mainly on the Mickelson Trail.
The Run Crazy Horse Marathon was the 342nd largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 328th largest in 2022.
Last year 5.7% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 7.7% of runners qualified for Boston in 2022.
This gives the Run Crazy Horse Marathon the 315th highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 239th highest percentage in 2022.
Its Course Score of 94.37 ranks it as the 415th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 5th fastest course in South Dakota.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Run Crazy Horse Marathon a PR Score of 94.37. This PR Score ranks it as the 407th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 5th fastest in South Dakota.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Run Crazy Horse Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 6085 feet (1855m) Min Elevation: 4984 feet (1519m)
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