Ed L.
Yelp
It'll be fun, they said. It's awesome, they said. Truth was further than what was described on the pages of Facebook and on the photos from Ultrasignup.
I wanted to run in South Dakota for my 2nd round - 50 states marathon quest, but wanted to patronize other races and places in the state I'm targeting instead of repeating the one I already done. New experiences define us and discovery helps broaden our horizons. With that said, I decided to sign up for The Blood Run @ The Good Earth Farm in Lennox, South Dakota on Labor Day weekend 2023. The only problem with test was that this year the temperature stayed high to the point where it was maxed out at 100°F as the high temperature of the day. Needless to say that it's tempered my experience here just a little bit, but I may go with that and ended up racking up mileage I needed during the evening and early morning hours of the event, which my headlamp purchased on Amazon a month prior to race day, was priceless. The prices for the 24 hour race was substantial, which I think was around $150. The race also has a 36 hour, 12 hour, six hour, and three hour grace in conjunction with my race: the 24 hour. Upon arrival to The Good Earth Farm, my friend and I set up along the course with a pop up tent and I quickly changed into my gear in the near 100 degree temps, thinking it wasn't that bad. After a 1.5 mile loop in that heat, I ended up having to sit in the shade to cool off and drank a lot of water. I had to wait till sunset before things got cooler. Once that happened, I grabbed my headlamp and off I went with a friend. I carried my headlamp with me along the course until nightfall. It didn't really get dark until after 8pm, which was when the fun really started.
The overall experience here at the 2023 Blood Run @ The Good Earth Farm in Lennox, South Dakota was interesting and fun at the same time. We didn't expect that the temperatures would linger past Labor Day Weekend, but we had to make do with what Mother Nature gave us. The course was essentially a 1.5 mile loop around farmland with farm animals locked in their pens. You really don't smell anything when doing the loops, which was good for me. They have a fully loaded aid station after coming thru every loop. Along with cold water, electrolyte drinks, and many other foods and snacks you'd find in a spread for ultra marathon events. At night was fun since you get to see people wear head lamps. It was freaky at first like some aliens was walking around, but if you get familiar with night running and ultra distances, these are definitely a familiar occurrence especially at night and early morning when you need light to see in the darkness. There was a crew of enthusiastic volunteers who kept track of our laps as we came thru the check point. I got to know them as the event wore on. The event was awesome for what it is. Short loops so you don't think you're going too far, but at the same time, it's a way for race officials to come save you if something were to happen and they can get to you quicker. Running a race on farmland is different but a mile is a mile no matter how you measure it. New running friends and old running friends. It's all good here in Lennox, South Dakota. Definitely recommend this one if you are an endurance junkie, trying for your first ultra distance, and / or like me, running your 50 states marathon or half marathon and need South Dakota for your collection.
The Blood Run is sanctioned at The Good Earth Farm in Lennox, South Dakota. I've been told its an animal rescue farm, where the owners stage the annual ultra endurance event, since they are former runners. Registration is held online months before the event, as obviously accept major credit cards for online registration. These kinds of races aren't cheap, since they provide enough support and aid for the duration of the event - up to 36 hours depending on which event you sign up for. I guess I lucked out this year since the temperatures soared into the upper 90's, touching 100 degrees during the still summer time highs during Labor Day weekend. Hopefully in subsequent years, the temps won't be as severe as it was in 2023. As far as parking, come here early enough to secure parking. You're likely will be camping out early enough to ensure you'll be able to start on time. It helps to have a friend drive you around like how I did, but you're best to drive since you'll be in rural South Dakota anyway. For the most part though, the enjoyment of the course during the night time was nice, dipping down into the low 60's and windy although I had to watch where I was going and be wary of anything that popped up in front of me. Thankfully nothing happened in South Dakota. It's a great ultra to dip your toes in. It's in South Dakota and your closest commercial airport would be in Sioux Falls.
5.0 stars for the overall experience.
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