SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Every year, the annual Sioux Falls marathon draws in people from across the country, and this year is no different. 1,800 runners are expected at this year’s race. The Sunday morning event includes three distances for racers to choose from including a 5K, half marathon and full marathon.
“The full marathon will have roughly about 400 people running. Through the half marathon, it usually pushes about 1300, and we’ll fill the rest in for the 5K,” Sioux Falls Marathon Race co-director Jerry Palleschi said.
All races will begin near the Howard Wood Field. Registration for all three races is still open. Race packets can be picked up Saturday, August 24th at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Below is a list of start and cutoff times for each race on Sunday, August 25th, 2024:
- Full Marathon: 6:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CDT
- Half Marathon: 7:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. CDT
- 5K Family-Friendly Run/Walk: 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. CDT
Live tracking will be provided by mtec Results. Street closures around parts of Sioux Falls will also go into effect starting Sunday morning as early as 6:00 a.m.
“Our street closures are pretty much there up until the final runner clears that area. We work very closely with the City of Sioux Falls and the Sioux Falls Police Department to try to get those runners through these areas and then open up those roads as quickly and as safely as what we possibly can,” Palleschi said.
With humid temperatures leading into Sunday’s races, staff are giving runners the option to change their race distance or defer to next year.
“The temperature is looking at about 90 degrees. Now, luckily for us, that 90 degrees usually happens at 3, 4:00 in the afternoon. Our event should be wrapped up by the time the highest temperature does hit that day,” Palleschi said.
Water stations and athletic trainers will be spread throughout the course.
“If there are certain elements such as heat or humidity, really listen to your body. Make sure that in the days leading up to the race, they are also getting the right nutrition and right hydration so that you’re at your best at the start of the race,” Sanford Sports Athletic Trainer Jenny Dalland said.
Sanford Sports Performance is holding a free recovery night Thursday and next Monday for racers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sanford Fieldhouse. You can register here.
“We have Normatec boots, which are good to create a muscle pumping effect that improves blood flow to the tissues that promotes recovery. We have foam rollers. We also have theraguns, which are also recovery tools for muscles,” Dalland said.
Athletic trainers and sports dieticians will also be available on site to meet with runners and answer any questions they may have.
A portion of the the race’s proceeds will be given to the Children’s Miracle Network and Sanford Health.
