Important Note
This is the official race registration page for the One Ear Deer Dash races. Please refer to the Sioux Falls Area Running Club's website and SFARC Facebook page for more information on this race, the Trail Race Series, and membership.
www.runsiouxfalls.org / www.facebook.com/RunSiouxFalls
*NO REFUNDS - BUT...you can cancel your registration up to 14 days prior to race day and put your full entry fee towards any of our future races.
The first 100 registered for the One Ear Deer Dash Trail Races will receive an Orange Mud Transition Towel/Seat Cover
Pricing
3.5 & 7.5-mile races are the same price.
’23 SF Run Club Member: $30 till May 14th - $40 through race day
Non-Member: $35 till May 14th - $45 through race day
Not a member and want to become one? Sign up at https://www.runsiouxfalls.org/
Sign up for all 4 races at once! Use the '4 Race Members' ($130) if you are a current SF Run Club Member and '4 Race Non-MBR' ($150) if not. Participants who sign up through these price points will get a special swag gift. Signing up for short distance will register you for all the short distances in future races and likewise if signed up for the longer distance race. Contact us to change your distance for any of the races.
Duathlon Option! https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/SiouxCenter/WheelsofFun
This year's Deer Dash Trail Races have joined up with the Gear Up for Summer Bike Rides to create the Grover Coaster Duathlon combining a road or gravel bike ride with either distance of the Deer Dash Trail Races! For further duathlon details and registration, follow this link below
https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/SiouxCenter/WheelsofFun
Grover Coaster participants will be timed and receive swag from both events.
About This Race
This race will take place at Oak Grove Park on June 3, 2023 and will be the second running of the One Ear Deer Dash as part of the Sioux Falls Area Running Club Trail Race Series! The One Ear Deer Dash trail races are named for the deer with only one ear (Debbie) which has been a resident of Oak Grove Park for several years and is often seen roaming about the park in the early morning and evening hours foraging and looking after her fawns. Park staff estimate she around 9 years old and is the unofficial mascot of the park! Oak Grove Park is a beautiful 433-acre county park located along the Big Sioux River in Western Sioux County Iowa and is about an hour’s drive from Sioux Falls, SD or Sioux City, IA. Entrance to the park is free as is parking. The park offers overnight camping, cabins, and modern restroom facilities with Showers. Click on the following link for more information about the park. https://siouxcountyparks.org/parks-wildlife-areas/oak-grove-parkbig-sioux-park/
Course Description
Both the 3.5 & 7.5-mile racecourses follow predominately single-track mountain bike and hiking trails. The courses offer a lot of twists, turns, and elevation changes to challenge runners as they wind through and around the densely wooded hills and prairie along the Big Sioux River. Runners for both races will start near Oak Grove Lodge and quickly dive into wooded single track. The 3.5-mile course and the 7.5-mile course split at about 1 mile into the race with the 7.5-mile course rejoining the 3.5-mile course at 5 miles. Both race distances will finish back at the Lodge where post-race refreshments will be available.
FAQ
Do we need a park pass to get into the park on race day?
No, there are no fees to enter the park.
Do we get a shirt for participating?
Maybe...for the Trail Series Races we will be giving out different swag items yearly.
Are the races chip timed?
Yes! 605 Running Company had generously agreed to provide chip timing for all of our trail series races!
Are headphones allowed?
Yes, but you must be mindful of your surrounding if wearing them. Trail races generally take more concentration given the terrain, and with narrow trails and many turns, you'll need to be able to hear if people are needing to pass you and take directions from any volunteers.
Can I get my money back if I can't run?
No, but if you do cancel 14 days prior to the race, you can put your fee towards another race in the series.
I've never run trails, how do I train for these races?
Find a gravel road, run on the grass next to the sidewalk or bike trail, or better yet, head to Sertoma Park and run the flat, wide trails there. There is also single-track trails along the south side of the bike trail in Yankton Trail Park between Minnesota and Western Ave and in Tuthill Park. This will get you used to running on uneven ground. Be very careful as you ease into it and be mindful of your footfalls. After you've mastered that, head to any of the other trails around Sioux Falls: Leaders Park, Great Bear Recreation Area, Big Sioux Rec, Good Earth State Park, Newton Hills, Beaver Creek Nature Area, Union Grove State Park, Oak Grove State Park, Stone Park, etc. SFARC host a group run every Thursday night at Good Earth State Park - 6pm - if you'd like to run with a group too.
Can I run with my dog?
No, pets are not allowed to run in the Trail Race Series.
Points Series
Points:
1st place in each division for each race receives 10 points. Points go down by 1 sequentially. 2nd place receives 9 points all the way to 10th place receiving 1 point. At the end of the series, we’ll tally up the points in each age division, and give out gift cards to the top three male and female finishers.
We’ll see how this works out, and hopefully be able to crown overall champions (male/female) and still get them framed pictures of their favorite course.
Age Divisions: 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50+
Event's current local time: 7:52 PM CT