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Sundance to Spearfish Marathon

Spearfish, SD
Sunday, September 13, 2026


  5 Stars from 2 Reviews

Course Description
The Sundance to Spearfish Marathon starts at 6,600 feet in Cement Ridge, Sundance, Wyoming and travels 3,000 feet down to the finish in Spearfish, South Dakota on approximately half paved road and half runnable gravel roads. There is one uphill around the second mile. The course is a very fast, mostly downhill race - great chance for a PR.

Since the course runs from Sundance, Wyoming to Spearfish, South Dakota, it counts for either a Wyoming or a South Dakota marathon.

September Other Marathons in September Other Marathons in South Dakota Marathons near Spearfish, SD



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Race Information

Race Dates

2026: Sunday, September 13, 2026
2025: Sunday, September 7, 2025

Course Information

Profile: Downhill
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Mostly on Road/Pavement

Boston Qualifier?: Yes
World Marathon Major Qualifier?: No

Race Day Weather

Mean Temp.: 56°F (13°C)
Average High: 73°F (22°C)
Average Low: 39° F (3°C)




PR Score & Course Score

PR Score: 103.03
Course Score: 103.03

Race Size

2025: 85 Finishers
2024: 74 Finishers
2023: 86 Finishers
2022: 76 Finishers
2021: 68 Finishers
2020: 61 Finishers

BQ Percentages

2025: 25.9%
2024: 33.8%
2023: 33.7%
2022: 42.1%
2021: 23.5%
2020: 21.5%

Miscellaneous Information

Pace Groups?: No

Weather Averages for Last 6 Years


Race Day Temperatures

High: 77°F  (25°C)
Low: 51°F  (11°C)

Race Start Conditions

55°F  (13°C)
Humidity: 65%

Clear
SSW 6 mph

PR Score

99.66

Course Score

100.51






Sundance to Spearfish Marathon Rankings, Course Speed & Boston Qualifier Statistics

The Sundance to Spearfish Marathon was the 405th largest marathon in the U.S. in 2025 based on the number of finishers. In 2024, it ranked as the 401st largest marathon in the U.S..

In 2025, 25.9% of Sundance to Spearfish Marathon finishers achieved Boston Marathon qualifying times. In 2024, 33.8% of finishers qualified for Boston.

Based on its percentage of Boston Qualifiers (BQs), the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon ranked 22nd among marathons in the U.S. in 2025 and 17th in 2024. In South Dakota, it ranked 1st in 2025 and 1st in 2024. These rankings provide a useful benchmark for runners comparing Boston Marathon qualifying potential across different races.

The Sundance to Spearfish Marathon has a Course Score of 103.03, ranking it as the 8th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 1st fastest marathon course in South Dakota.

Typical race-time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. Combined with the course profile, this gives the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon a PR Score of 103.03. The PR Score ranks the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon as the 8th best marathon in the U.S. for running a Personal Record (PR) and the 1st best marathon for a PR in South Dakota.

Together, these rankings provide a quick snapshot of how the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon compares with other marathons in the U.S. and South Dakota for speed, PR potential, Boston Marathon qualifying success, and overall participation.

Sundance to Spearfish Marathon Marathon Rankings Summary
Course Speed8th fastest marathon course in the U.S.
Ranked 1st fastest marathon course in South Dakota
Top 2% Nationally#1 of 6 in South Dakota
PR Potential8th best marathon for a Personal Record in the U.S.
Ranked 1st best marathon for a PR in South Dakota
Top 2% Nationally#1 of 6 in South Dakota
Boston Qualifier Rate22nd highest BQ percentage in the U.S.
Ranked 1st highest BQ percentage in South Dakota
Based on 2025 Boston Marathon qualifying results
Top 5% Nationally#1 of 6 in South Dakota
Race Size405th largest marathon in the U.S.
Ranked 6th largest marathon in South Dakota
Based on 2025 results
Top 69% Nationally#6 of 6 in South Dakota

Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.



Elevation Chart


Max Elevation: 6618 feet (2017m)
Min Elevation: 3640 feet (1109m)

Elevation Gain: 215 feet (65m)
Elevation Loss: 3189 feet (972m)


Sundance

Course updated 06/11/2026




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Compare the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon to other Marathons

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Do you want to see how the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon stacks up against other marathons?

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Comparison Tool

If you ran the Sundance to Spearfish Marathon in 4:38:00, what would your time in other marathons be?

See how your finish time would compare on other marathon courses with our Time Conversion Tool.


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Race Reviews


5.0
Based on 2 reviews
Write Your Own Review

Outstanding in Every Respect

Full Review:

This was my 51st marathon and one of my five favorite. If you like running a constant downhill with beautiful scenery in a perfectly organized race, this marathon is for you. If you need spectators, go elsewhere. One lovely detail that's illustrative of what kind of race this is: The bag check truck is a pickup that you throw your bag into (and any bag will do), and instead of leaving 10 or 15 minutes before the start like at other races, it was there for you to toss a bag into 15 seconds before the start if you wanted to really push things.

Race Tips:

First 12 miles is on unpaved road. You may hear/read it described as gravel, but the rocks aren't loose. You are, however, faced with choices about routing; do you run tangents but let the surface alter your stride length or do you choose a slightly longer path at times and never break stride? I generally chose the shorter route and didn't have to chop my stride that much. The paved part after mile 12 comes as a welcome change and makes the second half easier (and the first half is pretty easy). I ran slightly negative splits.
Reviewed by Mike About 2025

Beautiful Course! Tough on the Quads

Full Review:

Very well organized race and absolutely stunning scenery. Plenty of water/Gatorade available on the course and everyone was extremely friendly.

Race Tips:

The only thing I wish I had done differently was to hug the paint line more on the second half of the race. I did a really good job not adding distance the first half of the race because I ran the tangents on the gravel portion really well, but I somehow added on almost 0.7 miles of running in the second half of the race. Be ready for your quads to be torched by the end with all of the downhill.
Reviewed by MK About 2021