It’s not for me, personally. I’m more tortoise than hare. But a lot of runners look forward each year to the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon. If you’re going to torture yourself by running 26 miles (or 13 miles in the half marathon), you might as well have some great scenery while you’re doing it.

Runners World columnist and former Olympic runner Jeff Galloway, put it this way: “The Deadwood Mickelson course is the most beautiful trail course I have run. You are pulled along with engaging views, around each bend. Because of the friendliness of the people and the fun activities available throughout the weekend, this is an event that you don’t want to miss.”

This year’s Mickelson Trail Marathon is set for June 7. The main race starts at Rochford, home of the Moonshine Gulch Saloon (more my speed). The runners wind their way north on the Mickelson (formerly the Burlington Northern rail line through the Black Hills) and down into to Deadwood.

It’s a big event. More than 1,700 runners participate, and organizer Jerry Dunn is shooting for 4,000.

Actually, it’s not a bad spectator sport. You can mill around the finish line as the runners come loping into town. It’s amazing how fit some of these people are.  A lot of associated activities are going on in Deadwood that weekend as well.