Brookings Marathon: Brookings, South Dakota, May 11, 2024 – Marathon #16
I knew from the start that this trip to Brookings, South Dakota, would be quick, with little time for sightseeing. However, I didn’t anticipate that the weather would give me a new definition of “blowing through.” I left Kansas City on Friday morning, ran a 5k that evening in Brookings, and hoped for the best with the weather, which was looking rough, though it held off until after our run.
I didn’t get to explore much of Brookings, but here’s what I did find: My Place Hotel had the sweetest staff, from check-in to check-out. They were so engaging and accommodating. Brookings is home to South Dakota State University, and their mascot is a Jackrabbit—I couldn’t help but laugh. I’ve never known a school to choose a jackrabbit as its mascot!
Even though Brookings is a well-developed city, you can still find plenty of farmland around. One of the most interesting things I discovered was that when I asked locals for dining recommendations, every single person I asked said, “You have to go to The Craft.” I asked about eight different people, and they all gave me the same answer. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a 100% consensus like that for any restaurant! So, of course, I had to check it out. And let me tell you, The Craft did not disappoint. The food was fantastic, the service was impeccable, and I even met a lovely couple who said they only ever eat out at The Craft. There are plenty of other places to eat in town, but clearly, this is the favorite spot. After a delicious pasta dinner, I got some rest and said a prayer that the weather would hold off for the marathon.
Race Day: Weathering the Storm
Race day arrived, and I got up early to do my stretches. I peeked out the window to check on the weather, and to my surprise, it wasn’t raining! It was still a couple of hours before the race, so anything could change, but I was happy to see dry ground. By the time I got to the start line, the wind had picked up and light rain had started falling—just enough to make it difficult to see through my glasses.
As the race began, the sky was still dark, and the wind was howling. The race director made an announcement: “If we see lightning, we’ll have to call the race.” Any marathoner knows that the last thing we want to see is lightning, and definitely don’t want to hear that the race is being called. So, we took off.
The course itself was beautiful, and the weather wasn’t too bad at the start. But as the race went on, the wind picked up, sometimes so forcefully that I felt like it could knock me over. I thought I had experienced strong winds before, but this was something else. There were times when the wind was at my back, literally pushing me forward at a faster pace than I could control—it felt like the Road Runner! Then, there were the moments when the wind hit me sideways, making it feel like I was battling just to stay upright. I felt like I was twisting my hips as if I was trying to keep a hula hoop from falling. If you’ve never run against strong winds, I highly recommend it—it’s a challenge like no other.
Finishing Strong Despite the Weather
By the end of the race, I wished for a better time, but considering the conditions, I was happy the worst of the weather held off until after I finished. I ended up placing 3rd in my age group, which was a pleasant surprise. Although this marathon was smaller than others I’ve done, I always celebrate when I place in a race.
Afterward, there was a victory party at Cubby’s Sports Bar, where I met up with Amy Lynn, a fellow marathoner from Chicago. I sat with her and her aunt before heading back to the airport for my return flight. One of the best parts of racing is meeting people along the way, and it’s even more fun when we start seeing each other at multiple races. Amy and I will also be running the Marine Corps Marathon together in October.
Quick Turnaround
It was a whirlwind trip—South Dakota winds, rain, two races, and four flights in just 32 hours. But I was ready to hear those words: “Welcome to Kansas City!” Just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Next up: The Queen Bee Marathon in Montano on May 21st.