Mickelson Trail Trek
Trail trek inspires East Coast woman to move to Black Hills.
Although many people think of riding the Mickelson Trail Trek as a good way to spend a weekend, get some exercise and enjoy camaraderie, the ride did a little more for Lead resident Joan Irwin.
“It’s actually what brought me out here to live,” she said.
Irwin, a former Long Island resident, decided to move to the Hills after being talked into doing the ride by a friend three years ago.
“Doing the trail trek that year, I just fell in love with the Hills, and I was looking for a place to retire. (I) decided that this was where I wanted to be,” she said.
She has been running a hostel in Lead for two years and hasn’t looked back since.
“I just love it out here. I feel as though doing the trail trek was what really turned my life around and brought me out here,” she said.
Irwin was one of about 425 people signed up for the 2006 ride, according to trail manager Shannon Percy. To register for the 2007 ride, go online to www.MickelsonTrail.com.
The ride covers the 109-mile Mickelson Trail in three days, from Custer to Edgemont on Friday, Sept. 14, and from Custer to Rochford on Saturday, Sept. 15.
The Trek finishes Sunday with a “short day” from Rochford to Deadwood, Percy said. He said plenty of meals are provided on the trek, and past riders have joked about actually gaining weight despite all of the exercise.
Percy said he is looking forward to this year’s event, which gets a large amount of people together.
“It gets everybody Hills-wide involved in the trail, (and we’re) touching so many communities,” he said.
Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon
Every year, competitor list grows for 3-day event.
The fifth annual Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon drew a record number of participants, just as it has from its inception in 2001.
“(1,876) is the most we’ve ever had by about 600,” said marathon organizer Jerry Dunn of last year’s event. “We’re growing every year.”
The field of 1,876 was more than 25 times bigger than the inaugural event in 2001, which had 70 participants, and the D-MTM is the fastest growing event/convention in the state of South Dakota.
The marathon begins at the church in Rochford and heads to the Moon Gulch Saloon. From there, the runners head east onto a paved road before making a sharp turn to the south and getting on the Mickelson Trail, which heads north and will take them into Deadwood.
One thing that makes the D-MTM more difficult than most marathons is the elevation change.
At the start, the athletes are running at about 5,305 feet. The beginning of the race is uphill through the Dumont Trailhead, which is about 13 miles from the start and 6,200 feet above sea level. It’s all downhill for the final 13 miles or so, with the runners making a 1,663-foot drop into Deadwood.
Despite the uphill run through the Black Hills, the trail and scenery might make up for it. Dunn thought the landscape is one of the big reasons why people like running in the D-MTM.
“The beauty of the course; it’s absolutely one of the most beautiful places in the world to run,” Dunn commented. “And, the friendliness of the people in South Dakota and the people at the aide stations. We try to make the event an example of the personality of South Dakota: friendly, warm and helpful.”
2007 Mickelson Trail events
June 2 — National Trails Day, Walk/ride from Lead trailhead to Deadwood trailhead. Contact: Lead Chamber of Commerce, 605-584-1100 or leadcoc@mato.com
June 3 — National Trails Day, Deadwood Mickelson Trial Marathon and Half-Marathon. Contact: 605-642-2382/641-3534 or www.DeadwoodMickelsonTrailMarathon.com.
June 12 — Trolley on the Trail at
1 p.m., Deadwood Trailhead. For people with physical limitations/elderly. Contact: Michelle Eddy, 605-578-1401, to pre-register.
June 16 — The Big Mick-Century and Half Century Ride. Contact: Aleen Golis, 605-745-3463 or www.TheBigMick.org.
June 23 — Liberty Trail Trot and Walk. Contact Northern Hills YMCA, 605-584-1113.
July 10 — Trolley on the Trail at
1 p.m., Deadwood Trailhead. Contact: Michelle Eddy, 605-578-1401, to pre-register.
Aug. 14 — Trolley on the Trail at 1 p.m., Deadwood Trailhead. Contact: Michelle Eddy, 605-578-1401, to pre-register.
Aug. 18 — Mickelson Trail Mile High Poker Run at 9 a.m., Dumont Trailhead. Contact: Northern Hills YMCA, 605-584-1113.
Aug. 25-26 — Leanhorse Hundred, Half-Hundred and 50K. Contact: 605-642-2382/641-3534 or www.DeadwoodMickelsonTrailMarathon.com.
Sept. 9 — KKMK Family Fun Ride at noon, Dumont Trailhead. Contact Bred Heid, Rushmore Radio, at 605-343-6161.
Sept. 13 — Trolley on the Trail at 1 p.m., Deadwood Trailhead. Contact: Michelle Eddiy, 605-578-1401, to pre-register.
Sept. 14-16 — 10th annual Mickelson Trail Trek. Contact SDGF&P at 605-584-3896 or www.MickelsonTrail.com.