XTERRA’s Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon, was held May 31 to June 1, 2025, in Deadwood, South Dakota, showcasing, “26.2 Miles of Black Hills Beauty,” to participants around the nation. With its inaugural year in 2002, this classic South Dakota trail running marathon has received recognition beyond its humble midwest community through joining the internationally renowned XTERRA series in 2025. The event offered 232 spots across fourteen age groups for top finishers in both the marathon and half marathon distances to qualify for the XTERRA Trail World Championships in Snowdonia Wales (the event also offered a kids fun run, 5K and Marathon relay options that did not offer qualifying spots). The World Championships will be held July 11 and 12, 2025 in Wales, U.K.
While South Dakota may not initially come to mind for an international trail running competition, the setting is perhaps one of the most underappreciated, as well the investment from the local trail community.
The Deadwood-Mickelson course
The Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon is a USATF certified point-to-point course that showcases some of the most historic and beautiful terrain in South Dakota. The route takes participants from an abandoned mining town of Rochford, home of attractions including the MoonShine Gulch Saloon, the Mall of America, and the University of Rochford. Runners follow railroads converted into gravel and dirt paths (which even takes them through railroad tunnels), past monolithic rock formations, beautiful hilly forests and creeks and to the finish in the town of Deadwood, South Dakota, a historic landmark.
The starting elevation is 5,500 feet and reaches a high point of 6,100 feet, an altitude challenge many would not expect in the midwest. The majority of the course’s climbing comes in the first fifteen miles, followed by a long downhill finish. The 2025 race experienced extreme temperature differences with lows in the 50s during the morning and highs in the 90s (Fahrenheit). The many unique challenges of the course made it a fitting race in the notoriously difficult XTERRA trail race series.
Enjoying the scenery and terrain in South Dakota.
Hear it from the runners
The 2025 XTERRA Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon drew a variety of participants to the race. With a generous cutoff time of seven hours, the race is welcome to run/walkers who want a lighter challenge, as well as the highly competitive age group runners seeking XTERRA World Championship qualifying spots. The half marathon drew over 1,200 participants while the marathon saw nearly 300 (including marathon relay participants). Runners hailed from forty-three states, as well as Canada, Japan, Norway and Columbia. Listed below are excerpts from interviews with several participants from the races about their impressions of the scenery, challenge and overall favorite parts of their experiences.
Moony Warfield, first time XTERRA series racer from Fort Collins, CO, is aiming to qualify for the XTERRA Trail World Championships. Warfield finished seventh in the half marathon and said about his experience, “The end of the course was the toughest part. You’re in the sunlight for a lot of it. With today’s heat it felt like it was just zapping all of my energy…beng able to spend so much time in the wild was the highlight for me.”
Christina Hahn, first time Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon finisher from Sheriden, WY, finished in 568th place. Hahn said about her race experience,“My favorite part was the scenery hands down. There’s mining sights, dense forests and even though I was hoping to see wildlife, it didn’t happen, but I’m also glad there were no buffalo chasing us! I’d love to come back. It’s a good excuse to meet up with friends that are far apart too!”
On course at Deadwood-Mickleson.
Michael Pierce from Wheatland, WY, finished fourth in his age group (60 to 64) which earned him a spot at the World Championship trail race.“I had a very enthusiastic first half using a lot of energy, then I started to crash. It was all in all still a good experience though, even though it was tough. The scenery was so beautiful and it just takes your mind away from the extreme challenge. Come here and see it for yourself. It’s a must do marathon. I’m happy to say that I will be in Wales at the championship!”
Nikki Hettinger finished eighth place in the marathon female division and hails from Sturgis, SD. She had previously completed both the marathon relay and half marathon but never the full marathon, “It was kind of a hot day, but I like running in the heat so I thought it felt great. It’s so beautiful, with so many pine trees and I love feeling the energy of nature in the Black Hills. The last two miles were certainly the hardest!”
The Plains Muscle Marathon relay placed third in the Male division. “I hadn’t trained for it but I like a good challenge like this. I’m glad I’m still able to do something like this and I’m not feeling like I’m getting too old where I can’t do it yet,” said team member Taylor Oterobin from Standing Rock Reservation in South Dakota.
Naomi Joseph of Cleveland, OH, placed twenty-third in the women’s marathon. “This happened to be the race closest to our family vacation at Mount Rushmore so I signed up! The morning started out cold. It was fun to see a smaller race with everyone together at first. The main climb wasn’t too steep but it did make people (including myself) have to walk. It really made me look forward to the downhill sections where I felt like I was flying! It was helpful for me to have the goal of just making it to the next aid station, one at a time. I saw my parents at mile 25 and that gave me a boost to feel strong in the final mile…This race is really a challenge, but if you can do it, you can do anything!”
The Mellow Milers female relay team said about the race, “The scenery around you can’t be beaten. There’s nothing like running in the hills of South Dakota! Anyone can do it, it’s a welcome race for walkers and a challenge for the faster runners too.”
Locals were crowned as marathon winners. Ashley Montini of Custer, SD, won the women’s race in a time of 3:28.24. Theron Singleton took the win in the men’s race in a time of 3:00:38. Ismael Arzola of Rapid City, SD, and Aubree Hawley of Pea Ridge, AR, won the half marathon in times of 1:09:19 and 1:19:01 respectively.
Midwest and trail running
Curious to read more stories that highlight the underappreciated midwest trail running scene? Check out these articles below:
Midwest Trail Running and Pickle Juice — ATRA
Trailblazer Running Introduces Trail Golf Racing — ATRA
Shea Aquilano, Chasing Farther — ATRA
Also search races on our calendar in midwest states here! Trail Running | Race Calendar | Ultrarunning – ATRA
