Primal Quest Badlands — the nonstop race involving 600 miles of running, biking, caving, climbing and paddling through the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota — began early this morning on Elk Creek east of the Black Hills.

This morning they are running into Sturgis, and they will begin orienteering in the Hills south of town.

I’ve been watching them on the SPOT Race Map. It’s very, very cool. It shows the whole route and the real-time position of each team.

Meanwhile, Primal Quest Badlands officials have released a list of places where you can watch the teams coming past on their quest to win what has been described as the world’s most challenging endurance race.

The trick, however, will be to know when to go.

With 38 four-person teams, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and luck, the competitors will likely be spread out all over the course during the round-the-clock race.

But using the SPOT system, you can time your rendezvous with the racers.

Here are the best spectator spots:

• Angostura Reservoir: Sounds like it will be in the state park on the north shore of the reservoir.
• Crazy Horse Memorial: It’s on Highway 16 between Hill City and Custer. Turn in at the Avenue of the Chiefs.
• Needles Scenic Overlook: The site is about 5.6 miles from Highway 385-16.
• Badlands National Park: Take I-90 east to the Interior Exit (131) and head to the park. It sounds like the spot is on the small road that runs east of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.