Brookings Marathon

The Brookings Marathon begins at Pioneer Park on 6th Street West in Brookings, South Dakota. The race weekend features a marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay, with chip timing for results. It is one of the older marathons in the United States, and among the few races run annually since its inception in 1970. The marathon route crosses historic neighborhoods, parks, bike paths, and tree-lined streets as it circles Brookings. Relay teams of two to six runners complete the marathon course in six legs, with exchanges near miles 4, 9, 12, 17, and 20, each handoff marked by a hand slap. The relay attracts racing clubs, friend groups, charity runners, and mixed-ability teams, with a limit of 40 teams. Hundreds of volunteers assist runners along the course, and each relay team member receives a custom medal.