Mount Rushmore Half Marathon by Vacation Races - Race Recap

Today I’m recapping the Mount Rushmore Half Marathon by Vacation Races. It’s an amazing race, especially if you’re trying to knock South Dakota off your 50-state list like I am. It’s tough, but trust me, it’s so worth it!

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The Trip to South Dakota

This race doesn’t happen every year - it’s usually bi-annual - so Ryan and I made it a point to get up to South Dakota for it. We decided to drive since we brought both of our dogs along for the adventure. The trip was an experience in itself! We stopped at multiple national parks along the way, which was such a fun way to break up the drive and make some incredible memories.

When we got there, we camped at Custer State Park, and I can’t recommend it enough. It was the perfect home base - close to the race and surrounded by so much to see and do! We spent our downtime exploring the it and Wind Cave National Park which is right next to it (more on that later!) and obviously Mount Rushmore. It really added to the whole experience and made the trip even more special.

The Course

Let’s talk about the race! It kicks off with a chilly start, so don’t forget to pack a throwaway layer. I didn’t, and I was definitely wishing I had during that cold wait at the starting line.

The first eight miles are uphill. Like, seriously uphill. I decided partway through to walk the uphill sections and not worry about my time, and I’m glad I did. It meant I was able to fly down the downhill portions, and even though I didn’t fully make up the time, it was a blast!

The highlight of the race is definitely the one-lane tunnel between miles 7 and 9. As you come out, you’re greeted with this jaw-dropping view of Mount Rushmore. Now that the race is over I can say that it was worth the climb, even if it didn’t feel like it at the time!

Course Support

Now, here’s a heads-up: this is a pretty remote course, so don’t expect crowds of spectators cheering you on. That said, the race is super well-supported by Vacation Races. There are aid stations at miles 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12.5, stocked with water, Gnarly sports drink, and Honey Stinger energy gels. The station at mile 9 even had fruit, which hit the spot. All the aid stations also had port-a-potties.

Race Swag

Can we talk about the swag? The medal and tee shirt this year were amazing - definitely some of my favorites so far. And the post-race snack box? Chef’s kiss. It had everything you’d want after a tough race like this.

Exploring the Area

One of the best parts of this trip was all the exploring we did before the race. We spent a day at Wind Cave National Park, and while we didn’t get to see the caves, the wildlife totally made up for it. We saw an entire city of Prairie Dogs popping up everywhere (so cute!) and Bison roaming just a couple of feet from the road.

Of course, I couldn’t leave without adding another stamp to my National Park passport book - you know how much I love that tradition! I’m even thinking of printing out some photos from the trip to stick in the book to make it extra special.

We also visited Mount Rushmore the day before the race after visiting the expo. Needles Highway creates a large loop that goes from Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Needles Eye, the VR Expo, and Mount Rushmore, so it was a perfect way to see everything and hit the expo!

There's honestly not a whole lot to do at Mount Rushmore, but there is a stamp even though it's not a true national park! I stamped my book in the back where it has space for assorted national monuments and state parks.

Accommodations

We chose to camp at Custer State Park since we had both dogs and our rooftop tent with it. It was the perfect spot for sightseeing and convenient for getting to the race. It was about a 30 minute drive, but a large part of the drive is actually on a scenic highway that should be on your must-see list, anyway! We loved soaking up the beauty of the Black Hills and checking out sights like Crazy Horse Memorial and Needles Highway. We also saw Pronghorns and wild Burros in the park which was another highlight for me!

One downside of Custer State Park is that the closest town doesn’t have a major grocery store. There’s a local store and a Dollar General, but once we got to camp Ryan decided that a local beer sounded good and there really wasn’t anywhere that sold anything but the big name brands - at least, not in cans. So make sure you have everything you need ahead of time.

Final Thoughts

The Mount Rushmore Half Marathon is definitely a challenge, but it’s one of those races that leaves you feeling so accomplished and in awe of the scenery around you. Between the race itself, the stunning views, and all the fun we had exploring South Dakota, this trip was unforgettable, and I already can’t wait to go back when we have several weeks to spend in the area!

If you’re considering this race, go for it! Whether you’re running it to check off South Dakota or just looking for a unique, bucket-list experience, you won’t regret it. And if you’ve done this race before or are thinking about signing up, let me know - I’d love to hear your thoughts or help you get ready for it!

And as always, if you know of any races that should be on my list please let me know! I legit have a list I add to almost weekly!