Next race
Sunday, 6 June 2027
7:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic trail road
Elevation
Hilly · 250 m gain
250 m climbing
Race profile
The Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon draws approximately 238 finishers each June on a scenic trail road in Deadwood, United States. South Dakota's largest running event by participation finishes in the historic landmark town of Deadwood. The course follows the crushed-limestone Mickelson Trail through Black Hills forests, creeks, and mining-country scenery. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 238 finishers
Course & terrain
The Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon covers varied scenic trail road terrain. Starts on the Mickelson Trail and finishes in historic Deadwood. The course follows the crushed-limestone Mickelson Trail through Black Hills forests, creeks, and mining-country scenery. Hilly with notable climbs.
The Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon course is hilly over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 250 metres of climbing and 200 metres of descent, with a net climb of 50 metres from start to finish.
Hilly · 250 m gain — approx. 1,386 m above sea level
↑ 250 m · ↓ 200 m · net +50 m
Registration
Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon is typically held in June. Registration opens through https://www.deadwoodmickelsontrailmarathon.com/ and may use a lottery or tiered entry when demand exceeds capacity.
Getting there
Rapid City (RAP)
Rapid City Regional Airport
65 km / 40 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Deadwood.
The Leading Ladies Marathon draws approximately 125 finishers each June on a scenic road in Spearfish, United States. Spearfish's Leading Ladies Marathon is a popular June Black Hills race with a rolling scenic course. The course follows Spearfish Canyon connectors and northern Black Hills scenic roads. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027
The Casper Marathon draws approximately 89 finishers each June on a scenic road in Casper, United States. Wyoming's fast-growing Casper Marathon is a USATF-certified Boston qualifier in the heart of the state. The course follows Casper river trails, prairie roads, and wide-open Wyoming vistas. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027
The Bismarck Marathon draws approximately 206 finishers each September on an urban road in Bismarck, United States. North Dakota's longest-running marathon draws runners from across the Midwest to the capital region each September. The course tours Missouri River trails, state capital neighborhoods, and Bismarck–Mandan riverfront roads. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
The Med Bow Rail Marathon draws approximately 45 finishers each May on a scenic trail road in Laramie, United States. Laramie's Med Bow Rail Marathon uses a rail-trail corridor through southeastern Wyoming's high country. The course follows the Medicine Bow Rail Trail through high-plains and mountain-foothill scenery. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
The Montana Marathon draws approximately 221 finishers each September on a point-to-point road in Billings, United States. Billings' fast point-to-point marathon is a popular Boston qualifier with a sustained descent into the Magic City. The net-downhill course drops more than 1,000 feet from Molt into Billings with Big Sky Country vistas. The route is net downhill overall.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
The Williston Marathon draws approximately 10 finishers each October on a scenic road in Williston, United States. Northwest North Dakota's established marathon serves the Williston running community on a flat prairie loop. The course runs through Williston neighborhoods and northwestern prairie roads. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Saturday, 5 June 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
