Sunday, June 7, 2015

Marathon #66 (state #49): Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon, Deadwood, SD

4:14 finish, 91/358 place overall. Tough but scenic course on rail-trail through Black Hills. First half is gradual but relentless uphill, topping out at over 6,000 feet; second half is gradual downhill, finishing in historic town of Deadwood. Cool at start but warmed up fast with heat and not much shade in later miles. Hardest marathon in almost two years. Maintained normal marathon pace for first eight miles in spite of uphill, but altitude got to me in middle miles, and even with second half downhill, pace did not recover. Slowest finish time in awhile, but not unexpected given the course and conditions.

Race map and details