Brookings Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

dakota l.
Brookings, SD

  (05-20-2009)

"If you're looking to run a race in ideal weather, in a bustling, urban center, the Brookings Marathon, half marathon or relay, is not for you.
On the other hand, if you want to get out of your comfort zone, dig deep and see who you really are, head for Brookings.
The event will give you a good taste of South Dakota — questionable weather, good & decent people, and a sample of life in the slow lane.
Chances are, on race weekend (either the first or second Saturday of May), South Dakota will be dishing out its typical early spring weather — rain, wind, sleet,snow or a combination of all four. But, you may luck out like we did last weekend and start the race in 35 degrees, sunny and a slight breeze that picked up as the morning went on.
Billed as "Your new favorite long run," the Brookings Marathon and its shorter races (there's also a 5K the night before) are small town running at its finest.
Great organization, very accessible, inexpensive, friendly & helpful volunteers and a charming midwestern "city" of about 30,000+, if you include the 11,000 college kids.
And, if you're bringing along family and/or friends to watch, they can view you at many points with great ease as it runs through the community.
The roads are open to traffic, but on a Saturday morning, the streets are wonderfully empty. Volunteers man all intersections and halt any traffic for runners.
The race starts and ends in the city's Pioneer Park, where post race festivities take place, including music and massages.
The half marathon, which is the first half of the marathon course, winds its way through the historic area and the South Dakota State University campus. It's relatively flat with only a few gentle, sloping hills.
The second half of the marathon heads south of town, into the newer developments, and is about as flat as a race course could be.
So, when you look at the times, know that they are slower not because of the course but rather because of the weather.
Truly, Brookings will be your new favorite long run."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009