Mt. Rushmore International Marathon: History in the Making
Originally called the Black Hills Marathon, it is now called the Mt
Rushmore International Marathon. The idea for the marathon and launching
of the Black Hills Runners Club (BHRC) came from the inspiration in the
late 1970's of Damon Shelburne, a Major in the US Air Force stationed
at Ellsworth Air Force Base. While Damon and his wife were not runners,
they were physical fitness addicts and promoters. At one time he even
brain stormed opening up a fitness center and health bar on Highway 16.
Charter members of BHRC, who are still members, include Dennis and Pat
Lunsford, Cindy and Don Walker, Doyle and Karen Nehl, Gary Gamache and
Elaine Doll-Dunn. The club was founded in 1978. In that same year, Dennis
Lunsford, who was an active runner, found it very difficult to find running
shoes in Rapid City. Consequently, he and his wife Pat brain stormed,
and they opened up The Runner's Shop, which has served the Black Hills
area runners since then.
With volunteers from BHRC, the Runner's Shop and civic clubs in Rapid City, the first Black Hills Marathon was run in 1979. Mike Dunlap set a course record of 2:20:31, which stands to this day.
The women's record, set by Roxi Erickson in 1993 was a time of 2:39:25.
The race provided most of the Black Hills area runners their first opportunity
to run the marathon. Many set PR's on the course. Included among these
was a then young runner, Dennis Lunsford, who ran his 3rd Black Hills
Marathon with a time of 3:24:29 at age 36. Since the race has been "internationalized",
it still attracts many "first time" marathon runners.
The marathon has always started on US 385 in the central Black Hills
and turns south and east on Rimrock Highway (SD 44), with steep, downhill
grades approaching Rapid City and continuing into town on Jackson Boulevard.
Although several course options have been considered, it has always resulted
in the conclusion that this is the best "core route". However,
both the start and finish of the marathon have been adjusted back and
forth over the years. For a number of years it ended at the Civic Center
and was later moved to South Dakota School of Mines & Technology's
football stadium. However, due to liability concerns it was moved further
westward to the Sioux Park area.
For a number of years, a 10 kilometer race was also held the day before. For the first 18 years it was run exclusively by volunteer race directors, most of whom were also active BHRC members. Along with Damon Shelburne, local businessman and fitness center operator, Glenn Plummer, was the race director for two years. Glenn also was director the early nineties, as well as sponsoring the race with his own money. However, by the mid-90's the attendance began to wane. Larry Simonson, a professor at SDSM&T was director for four years and also was one of the directors who contributed his own money. While it had initially attracted between 200 and 300 runners it, for a time dropped below 100 as many small marathons around the nation had trouble hanging on or dropped them entirely. Much thanks is owed to the many directors who helped the marathon hang on through thick and thin.
The Rapid City Convention and Visitors Bureau agreed to manage the race, and changed the name to "Mount Rushmore International Marathon" and move the race from its traditional Labor Day weekend to the first weekend of October, which is an international holiday and Columbus Day in the United States. This was done as a move to promote international and national participation. The marathon became a major event in conjunction with the Black Hills Autumn Expedition, a tourism promotion emphasizing the fall weather and autumnal beauty of the Black Hills. For the last four years, the race has attracted 300-35- marathoners and 35 to 50 five person teams (250 runners) for the marathon relay. The marathon is a certified USATF course and a Boston Marathon qualifier.