New for 2025
We have some changes for the 9th Annual 2025 Trail Race Series (TRS).
1. UltraSignup has moved to all in pricing due to a change in law. We have kept our prices the same, which means you get in cheaper going forward. No more taxes or UltraSignup fees to worry about being added to your registration price!
2. Discount pricing for 18 and under participants. We are trying to be more inclusive for families to run together and to encourage healthy habits to our younger generation.
3. No more swag!? Yes, we are moving away from swag for all our races. We know, the swag was the reason you've ran all these years. But, it's expensive, time consuming, and stressful, and your race directors are getting old for all that. So, instead of swag you'll get a $20 gift card to 605 Running Company to use in store or online. If you sign up for "All 4 Races' using the special price point on the Deer Dash registration page, you'll get a shirt/sweatshirt or similar swag.
4. We have a new race at Camden State Park just south of Marshall Minnesota. It's our furthest race away from Sioux Falls, but we promise it will be worth it. Camden is a beautiful park with an abundance of trails. Choose from the 3-mile, 7-mile, or run both loops for the 10-mile race.
5. Finally, we have a new logo! We are excited to start fresh with the TRS and thank Kristi Wire, who graciously donated her time and skills by designing our mascots, posters, brochures, swag and we can't thank her enough.
We are excited about the changes and look forward to another awesome year. Please let us know if you have other suggestions for changes to keep improving our TRS. See you on the trails!
Important Notice
This is the official race registration page for the Great Bear Trail Races. Please refer to the Sioux Falls Area Running Club's website and SFRAC Facebook page for more information on this race, the Trail Race Series, and membership.
www.runsiouxfalls.org / www.facebook.com/RunSiouxFalls
Pricing
3 & 6 mile races are the same price. Kids 1 mile race is free.
Registration Price: $40 through registration cutoff
Current SF Run Club Member: A discount code was sent out to all current members at the opening of registration. Are you current and need the code? Please email runsiouxfalls@gmail.com and we'll get it to you!
18yrs old and under (as of race day): $15 through registration cutoff
Not a member and want to become one? Sign up at www.runsiouxfalls.org
Sign up for all 4 races at once! Select 'All 4 ARaces' ($170*) on the Deer Dash Trail Races registration page. *Special swag gift for those who sign up for all 4 races using this price point! Signing up for short distance will register you for all the short distances in future races and likewise if signed up for the longer distance races. Contact us to change your distance for any of the races.
About This Race and Course Description
Great Bear is known for the skiing but there are 4+ miles of hiking/running trails also available within the 220 acre park. The race will start/finish near the bottom of the bunny hill on the west side of the chalet. The trails are a mix of wide hard packed gravel, wider single-track, and even a bit of mowed grass. The mostly gravel trails take you on some flat areas but they do go up three bluffs with some spectacular views from the top. There is a good mix of wooded hills and pockets of open prairie trails too. The loop through the park works out to be pretty close to exactly 3 miles with around 450ft of elevation gain.
FREE Kids Race
We will have a free kids race this year. The distance will be around a mile and will take place following the 3 & 6 mile races. Kids will get some cool gifts for participating and parents are welcome to join them on the run!
Please sign up your child through the registration link under 'Free Kids Race' within the register button above. This will sign their waiver and help us plan for how many kids will be running.
When registering them, you can sign them up all individually with their information, or you can sign up with your information and list your kid/s that are running.
FAQ
Do we get a shirt for participating?
No. We have transitioned to gift cards for all participants who run. The $20 gift card for 605 Running Company can be used in-store or online. If you sign up for all 4 races at once using the special price point on the Deer Dash page, you'll get a special clothing item swag gift.
Are the races chip timed?
Yes! 605 Running Company had generously agreed to provide chip timing for all of our trail series races!
Are headphones allowed?
Yes, but you must be mindful of your surrounding if wearing them. Trail races generally take more concentration given the terrain, and with narrow trails and many turns, you'll need to be able to hear if people are needing to pass you and take directions from any volunteers.
Can I get my money back if I can't run?
No, we do not offer refunds or credit for future races.
I've never run trails, how do I train for these races?
Find a gravel road, run on the grass next to the sidewalk or bike trail, or better yet, head to Sertoma Park and run the flat, wide trails there. There is also single track trails along the south side of the bike trail in Yankton Trail Park between Minnesota and Western Ave and in Tuthill Park. This will get you used to running on uneven ground. Be very careful as you ease into it and be mindful of you footfalls. After you've mastered that, head to any of the other trails around Sioux Falls: Leaders Park, Great Bear Recreation Area, Big Sioux Rec, Good Earth State Park, Newton Hills, Beaver Creek Nature Area, Union Grove State Park, etc. SFARC host a group run every Thursday night at Good Earth State Park - 6pm - if you'd like to run with a group too.
Can I run with my dog?
No, pets are not allowed to run in the Trail Race Series.
Points Series
Points:
1st place in each division for each race receives 10 points. Points go down by 1 sequentially. 2nd place receives 9 points all the way to 10th place receiving 1 point. At the end of the series, we’ll tally up the points in each age division, and give out gift cards to the top three male and female finishers.
We’ll also crown overall champions (male/female) and they will get custom framed pictures of their favorite course.
Age Divisions: 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
3 Mile Course Map
6 Mile Course Map
Event's current local time: 4:46 PM CT
