This was my first trail run. I would recommend an easier trail run for others if it's their first, however for season trail runners and others up for a challenge this is the race for you. I signed up for this race because I wanted to complete a run in South Dakota last summer while on a family vacation. I started to get nervous when I asked a lady at our hotel about this trail and she pointed out the window at what I thought looked like a mountain and said that's Crow Peak! She proceeded to tell me she's hiked it once with her husband, and to make sure I take a lunch because it took them 6 hours but the views were well worth the hike. I saw a very strange look on her face when I told her I was running it. Later I realized why... Getting to the trail head was an adventure in itself and I wondered if I was going to lose cell reception. We parked on a gravel road when we saw other abandoned cars. I guess they had a mix up and the port-a- potty never showed, but people made the most of nature and they provided a roll of toilet paper on a very large orange cone. Because the trail itself was so narrow we were given instructions about leaning into the mountain to allow others to pass. As much as I wanted to duck out of this race at this point, as I am afraid of heights, I didn't because I was more enchanted by what brought all these other people out to run. This being my first trail race experience I was taking it all in.

The trail was super narrow, and I almost watched a runner who was running down the mountain nearly fly off a switch back but the tree he grabbed on to held his body. At one point I was on my hands and butt crawling down a few rocks, but again I am a mom with kids at the bottom, who is afraid of heights. The guy behind me said he would have hurdled the boulder at which point I let him go in front of me.

The views were amazing! The people were awesome, so friendly, so adventurous and laid back. The trail took you up 1,500 feet in 3.1 miles and then took you back down. As I crossed the finish line, I was handed a Popsicle stick with a number to know which place I was in. They had Keg beer for the finishers and the swag included a duffle bag. Great experience! Would do again!