This 5K is run on a crushed limestone type trail and is all downhill! Yes...you read that right! It is part of the Deadwood Trail Marathon weekend. I worked the sign-in table in the morning and got to meet the overall RD for the whole weekend, including the Kid's 1K, Fast 5K, 1/2 and full marathons. Emily and her crew put on an awesome event, and the 5K was something I was able to be a part of early Saturday morning.

For the 5K, they bussed you to the start outside of historic Deadwood, SD and then we ran downhill and into town. As we ran by the river and into town, the view was pleasant and volunteers halted traffic when we had to cross the main roads. The western side of SD is at elevation, so it was good to have been in Custer for a couple of days beforehand to get use to it.

After having some treats at the finish line, we waited around for the results, and I just missed placing in my age group by about 18 seconds. This was the fastest 5K I have run since I stopped focusing exclusively on that distance and started running longer distances up to 50K. The prizes for 1-3 in the age categories were gold, silver, or bronze painted railroad spikes, which seemed very appropriate for this race. I was bummed to have missed out on one! This race was also the SD state 5K championships as awarded by the RRCA and it was great to see at least one other Iowan take home one of those prizes in her age group. If the longer events, 1/2 and full marathon, were run as well, and knowing the RD and seeing the great Expo hosted at the Deadwood Lodge, I'd assume they were, this is an event with several options for you and your family to put on the bucket list.