By: Greg Koch

​This past weekend, Sioux Falls Marathon participants were met with a tough decision from the event organizers: the full marathon was canceled due to excessive heat warnings. The half marathon and 5K went on as planned, but the decision to cancel the full marathon left many asking if it was the right choice.

Having run the Houston Marathon in 2017 under nearly identical weather conditions, I can say from experience that a marathon can be held in such heat. However, just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be done. Given the unique challenges we face in Sioux Falls, this was absolutely the correct decision.

The Medical Reality
When I ran in Houston, we were well-prepared for the heat. We were informed of the risks, weighed in with medical personnel before and after the event (for real jumped on a scale and had our weight recorded on our bib), and confirmed our understanding of the dangers before we even hit the course. Throughout the race, we were never alone—medical tents were plentiful, staff on bicycles were constantly monitoring runners, and the crowd support was unwavering.

In Sioux Falls, we lack this level of support. Our two major medical organizations do great work for our community, but they aren’t equipped to provide the kind of comprehensive support needed for a marathon in extreme conditions. Without this, event organizers had no choice but to prioritize safety and cancel the full marathon.

Community Support: A Crucial Missing Piece
Community support is another area where Sioux Falls falls short. This isn’t a slight against those who do volunteer and support local running events—your efforts are deeply valued. But the reality is, we simply don’t have enough volunteers to go around.

In other cities, marathons are a big deal. The whole community comes out to cheer, provide aid, and get involved. Unfortunately, that level of engagement just isn’t there in Sioux Falls. Many in our community weren’t even aware a marathon was happening until it was canceled. This lack of awareness and involvement leads to parts of the race feeling isolated and lonely, making it even more challenging to host a successful event under less-than-ideal conditions.

Governmental Challenges
On top of medical and community support, there are also significant governmental challenges. As someone who organizes events in Sioux Falls, I know firsthand the process to get city resources for road races. Closing streets is hard enough, but when conditions change due to heat or flooding, there’s little flexibility to adapt.

Without the necessary support from the city, options like starting earlier, rerouting, or rescheduling aren’t feasible. This leaves event organizers with few choices, often leading to last-minute cancellations that harm the event’s reputation.

A Path Forward: Improving the Sioux Falls Marathon
Sioux Falls is a great city, and I believe there’s a way to make this event successful. First and foremost, the marathon should never have been moved to August. The extreme heat we face this time of year is too much of a risk.

But beyond that, I feel it’s important to mention an opportunity for collaboration that could really help this event thrive. At 605 Running Company, we have a deep passion for the running community, and we’re built for putting on events like the marathon. We host races throughout the year, time races across the state, and work closely with runners in our community.

While we’ve been involved in the past as sponsors and volunteers, we believe there’s more we can offer. Our experience and resources could provide much-needed support in the planning and execution of the marathon. We’re not just here to write checks; we want to roll up our sleeves and work alongside other dedicated organizers to make this event the best it can be.

The event organizers know where to find me and have my number. We’re ready and willing to negotiate a partnership that benefits the entire community.
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What Do You Think?
I’d love to hear from the running community. Do you think 605 Running Company should play a larger role in the Sioux Falls Marathon? Your feedback could help shape the future of this event. Let us know in the comments or reach out to us directly.

By: Greg Koch

Recently, my family and I took a trip to northern South Dakota for a timing gig with 605 Running Company at the Harvest Days 5k/10k in Britton, SD. Britton is a wonderful community that consistently reminds me of how truly special our state is. For this event, we partnered with Marshall County WOW, an organization whose mission is to promote health and prevent obesity, particularly in children, through wellness programs and opportunities in Marshall County, South Dakota. I've had the privilege of traveling to Britton for several years now, and it’s a trip I always look forward to—not just for the work but because my family loves exploring the area.

If you've never been to Britton, it's located near the North Dakota border, surrounded by several beautiful lakes and plenty of wide-open spaces. The drive is about 3-hours from Sioux Falls. This time, I traveled with my wife Chelsea and our daughter Violet. We decided to stay in Aberdeen for the weekend, with me commuting to the race early on race day. Aberdeen, also known as the Hub City, holds a special place in our hearts, and I’d like to share a bit about why we love it so much.

Having a 5-year-old daughter means that Storybook Land at Wylie Park is a must-do adventure for us. This was our third year visiting the park. We've camped at Wylie Park before, staying in the fantastic cabins available for rent, and we’ve also tried out various hotels. For this trip, we chose to stay at the Holiday Inn and Suites. With summer temperatures soaring to 96 degrees on Saturday, the hotel’s indoor water park was a big draw. The water park includes two hot tubs, a zero-depth play pool with fun features, and an amazing body slide with more twists and turns than your usual hotel water park.

After wrapping up my work at the race—Britton is about an hour from Aberdeen—I returned in time for our visit to Storybook Land. Some might call this park a hidden gem, but for those in the know, it’s a must-do summertime adventure. What I love most about Storybook Land, aside from the free admission, is that the food and ride passes are reasonably priced. The park is perfect for little kids, and the staff does an excellent job of regularly adding new attractions while keeping the older ones safe and clean. I can’t praise this park enough.

Additionally, I've done a complete 180 on my feelings about The Wizard of Oz. As a kid, I was completely terrified of the movie, but now, thanks to my daughter who embraces the scary (one of her all-time favorite movies is A Nightmare Before Christmas), I’ve grown to appreciate it. After reading the book with her and watching the movie a few more times, I can officially say that I’m a fan of The Wizard of Oz.

As I mentioned, it was hot during our visit. We spent a solid three hours at the park, including a quick bite for lunch. When the heat became too much, we returned to our hotel for some swimming. One of the great things about Storybook Land is that it stays open until 9 PM during the season, allowing for a long break in the afternoon heat and a return to enjoy more rides, slides, and fairytales in the cooler evening hours. I could go on and on about the many great things we’ve discovered in Aberdeen, but I’ll end with a must-stop treat: the Twist Cone.
For those interested, you can check out the race results here.

By: Greg Koch

​As a race timer for 605 Running Company, I’m lucky to travel across the state, exploring different communities and their unique offerings. Recently, I had the pleasure of timing the Big Sioux Rec Trail Race at Big Sioux Recreational State Park in Brandon, South Dakota—a beautiful area just a short 5-minute drive from Yogi Bear's Jellystone Resort. Despite living in Sioux Falls, my family and I hadn’t considered a stay at Yogi Bear's until our 5-year-old daughter, Violet, came home from a summer care program field trip, begging us to camp there. Her excitement was contagious, and this weekend provided the perfect opportunity to time a race and fulfill a 5-year-old’s wish.

A Scorching Hot Weekend
The weekend of our stay, July 26-28, was a scorcher, with temperatures soaring above 94 degrees each day. You can imagine our relief when we discovered that the tent sites at Jellystone Resort included power hookups. We are traditional tent campers, but with overnight lows at 72 degrees, the fans we brought were lifesavers.

An Array of Activities
What truly impressed us was how much this resort had to offer. Passing by on the interstate, the first thing you notice is the massive jumping pillow—a thrilling attraction for kids, even if it gave us parents a few heart palpitations! We also enjoyed a round of mini golf, but the highlight for our family was undoubtedly the pool, which provided a much-needed escape from the heat.

​We were also pleasantly surprised to find an air-conditioned recreation barn offering a variety of indoor craft activities. We spent some quality family time creating ceramic projects and tie-dye t-shirts, which turned out to be a huge hit with everyone. To top it all off, the resort hosted a Mardi Gras-themed weekend, complete with a Saturday night DJ dance party for the kids. The festive atmosphere added a special touch to our stay.

A Staycation That Felt Like a Vacation
Even though we were just 10 minutes from home, our stay at Jellystone Resort felt like a true vacation. In addition to the pool, we were thrilled to discover the Picnic Basket food truck conveniently located poolside. As this was a working weekend for me, it was a treat to let someone else handle the cooking. The quality of the food exceeded our expectations, and we also made use of the camp store, which offered a variety of treats, groceries, and Yogi Bear swag.

We had such an enjoyable time that we’ve already booked a return trip in October, this time with my parents in tow. My Mom and Dad will experience the pull-through, full hook-up camper site while my crew will stay in one of the camp cabins. We’re also excited about the fall activities, including a corn maze, that the resort offers. Based on our summer experience, we’re confident it will be another great weekend.

Your Turn!
Have you ever visited Yogi Bear's Jellystone Resort in Sioux Falls? What was your experience like? And what are some other local gems that deserve a visit? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Race Results for the Big Sioux Rec Trail Race: You can check out the race results here: Big Sioux Rec Trail Race Results.

By: Greg Koch
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Just over a month ago, I wrote a blog post that gained significant attention. Since then, multiple local businesses in Sioux Falls have closed, including some that had been part of our community for decades. This is truly sad news and highlights the urgency of my message. To be clear, I'm not begging for business; I'm asking to earn your business. I'm asking people to take the time to visit our stores and other local businesses, including our Downtown neighbors and friends at The Bridges.

Despite the impact of my previous post, I was stunned to receive a donation request from a large, financially successful corporation for their fundraising campaign (I guess that viral post wasn't as viral as I thought). Additionally, I’ve received requests from animal shelters, youth sports teams, and various social service groups—all within one month. This is the norm for a small local business. Everyone wants a pound of flesh. The needs of our community don’t stop because business is struggling. As a local business owner and community member, I want to support every cause that approaches me, but we need to keep our donations with our chosen event partners and maximize our support to the organizations that have trusted us to support them. Believe me when I tell you when it comes to volunteering, donating, fundraising, and supporting this community we punch well above our weight class. 

605 Running Company operates two locations, open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm and later on select days. Our products are available online with in-store pickup and shipping options. Through effective business deals, we’ve signed below-market-rate leases and efficiently balanced our staff and operating hours between both locations. We’ve also spent countless hours analyzing our inventory to keep our stock room tight and clean. We employ quality staff and pay them market rate or above. The armchair tropes simply don't wash here. We are doing everything we can to succeed in Sioux Falls.

Our core values are transparent, reliable, and fun. While delivering fun has been challenging lately, we continue to strive for it. In the past two weeks, we offered three demo experiences with top brands Hoka, Altra, and ON Running, yet saw less than 25 participants in total. There was a time when over 100 participants would show up for a demo run. These experiences are free and often include swag, deals, clinics, classes and opportunities to try products without buying them. Simply put, we are not seeing engagement. 

I love this community, but the times have changed. It seems priorities have shifted and what we offer doesn't appeal like it used to. Unfortunately, more local businesses may have to close before the tide turns. This isn't an idle threat - check the local news and you'll see that local businesses are hurting. Just today, I got a note about a local boutique calling it quits. I believe, as it relates to our business, that this is a consumer choice matter. Our brands are seeing record sales (specifically, Hoka and Brooks, our top two brands), yet we are struggling to maintain profitability. This would indicate that consumers are choosing to purchase these products locally from a different source (box store, online outlet, or direct to consumer websites). We truly are the little guy taking on large corporations.  
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I remind my managers and staff that there is no plan B for me personally. I’m doing everything within my capabilities to keep 605 Running Company open and thriving. These are the darkest hours of our business. We’ve enacted a scorched earth policy regarding future ordering, meaning fewer brands and less selection in styles and colors. We simply cannot afford to offer more merchandise that doesn’t get purchased locally at a decent margin. Even if we make it to 2025 the effects of this down year will be felt for the next 13-15 months in our shops. What makes us special isn’t the product; it’s the service and the people. What we have to offer is for everyone, not just runners.

Your support is crucial now more than ever. We thank all our loyal customers for their continued support in July. It was a great month for cash flow, but our business still struggles to be profitable. We cannot sell at a discount and expect positive accounting results. Please keep sharing our message, like and subscribe to our social media channels (including YouTube), leave a positive review on Google, tell your friends about us, and shop local as often as you can. At the very least show up to the FREE things we offer so that we know that our community still has a beating heart.
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We can do this. There is light at the end of the tunnel for us. I'm always optimistic about what this community can do when challenged. Currently, we are seeing more folks shopping as we prepare to go back to school. My challenge is for you to give the local shops a chance to earn your dollars. A pair of shoes, a sweater, stationary, anything from a local store even the smallest purchase makes a huge difference. Thank you for your continued support.