Black Hills Veterans March and Marathon

Events

Full March (26.2 miles)

$50 09/21 8:00AM MDT

Events: Full March Individual (26.2 Miles) Full March (Heavy (35lbs Pack)) Full March (Uniformed Military) Full March (Veteran) Full March (Civilian)

Mini March (16.0 Miles)

$50 09/21 10:00AM MDT

Events: Mini March Individual (16.0 Miles)

110 Milers March

$90 09/18 5:00AM MDT

Events: 110 Endurance March

Relay Event

$225 09/21 8:00AM MDT

Events: Full March (5-Person Coed Relay) Full March (5-Person Female Relay) Full March (5-Person Male Relay)

Events: Full March 5-Person Team (Civilian Coed) Full March 5-Person Coed Team (Military) Full March 5-Person Female Team (Military) Full March 5-Person Male Team (Military) Mini March 5-Person Team (Coed) Mini March 5-Person Team (Female) Mini March 5-Person Team (Male)

Virtual Full March Race

$60 Registration ends September 21, 2024 at 3:00pm MDT

March Website

Additional March information can be found at https://blackhillsveteranmarch.org.

Place

The Mickelson Trail to the Deadwood Rodeo Grounds,
Deadwood, SD US 57732

Description

BLACK HILLS VETERAN’S HONOR MARCH AND MARATHON

The Black Hills Veteran’s Honor March was conceived in 2002 as a way to honor the sacrifices of the nation’s servicemen and women. The 26.2-mile march takes place in the picturesque Black Hills National Forest on the Mickelson Trail. The March is held on a weekend at the end of September.

The March, which is conducted under the auspices of the South Dakota National Guard Enlisted Association (SDNGEA), grew out of an idea that originated from some South Dakota Army National Guard soldiers who had participated in the Bataan Memorial Death March. It was during the long ride home from White Sands, New Mexico that the idea of a commemorative march could be held to honor all Veterans, and that the Black Hills would be a perfect place to hold such an event. Since the Bataan Memorial Death March takes place in late March-early April, the consensus was that this new event should be held later in the year.

On September 21, 2002, seven members of the Army National Guard traveled to Deadwood, SD, and set out to reconnoiter the proposed march route and establish sites for water points, rest stops, and lodging requirements. Ted Deloy, Michael Jones, Matt Lacroix, Ben Lamp, Jeff Nord, Ben Smetana, and Mark Thomas were members of the recon team and laid the foundation for this event. The route today closely matches the original route from Rochford to Deadwood, the only change being the decision to end at the Rodeo grounds as compared to main street Deadwood.

After completing the dry run in September 2002, the marchers compiled notes and ideas. Due to mobilization in 2003, the idea had to wait to be presented to the SDNGEA at the state conference in April 2004. The decision was made to have the inaugural march start in September 2004.

Since its inception, the memorial march has grown to hundreds of marchers from across the United States. Events are offered in Team Military and Civilian, Individual Military and Civilian, Heavy Military (with a 40lb Rucksack), Marathon, Mini-March, Team Mini-March, and now 110 Mile Endurance March.