By Stacie Ostendorf

It was a very cool, crisp morning at the pickup location and finish line site in the heart of the Black Hills...Hill City, SD, where competitors in the Run Crazy Horse Marathon were bussed to the starting point at the Crazy Horse Memorial, which boasts as the world's largest mountain carving. The Crazy Horse Monument is being constructed solely by the non-profit Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation. Slow and steady construction is funded entirely via admissions and private donations.

As the sun began to break through the fog, the CEO of the monument greeted and thanked all the participants and spectators alike. A traditional drum chant started the runners off in which marathoners and half marathoners ran together for the first leg of the journey, then divided their own ways.

The only Broadus representative to run the full 26.2 mile marathon was Jennifer Bird, who finished 62nd overall in her division with a finishing time of 5:02:23 (pace of 11:33 per mile). A total of 105 competitors ran the full marathon. Congrats Jen!

Half marathoners participating from Broadus included Abbey Barnhart, placing 255th with a time of 2:19:26, and a pace a 10:39 per mile over the 13.1 mile course length. Latrisha Playle finished 298th at 2:26:32 and average pace of 11:12. Stacie Ostendorf crossed the line greeted by her entourage of 4 children and husband for a final time of 2:32:31 with a pace of 11:39, and overall placing of 328th. Jordan Wolfe came in hot placing 343rd and a final time of 2:35:33, with an average pace of 11:53. Joni Draine represented her division in 491st place, 3:19:45, and an average pace of 15:15 per mile. Duo friends Jayme Gaskill finished 499th and Taylor Price finished 504th. Jayme's time was 3:23:25, with an average pace of 15:32, and Taylor's time anchored the group with a final time of 3:25:34, average pace 15:42. 553 racers competed in the half marathon.

A great time was had and many look forward to training with old and new friends in hopes of bettering their personal times for the Deadwood Marathon & Half Marathon to take place June 2nd, 2024!