 Believe it or not fall is on the way. It is hard to imagine with the heat and humidity we’ve been feeling lately, but every so often we catch a light breeze or a few cooler days. These are the simple hints that autumn is near. There are less subtle hints too, like the never ending annoyance known as Cicadas, with their blaring warning that summer must once again be coming to an end soon. For runners this means racing season is near. While 2020 clearly offers up the most disrupted schedule ever; I mean who wants to do another virtual race in the neighborhood. Here in Sioux Falls for the lucky few we do have some race options. Last week I wrote about the upcoming Sioux Falls Area Running Club Trail Race Series and this week I caught up with Thomas Lee of the Sioux Falls Sports Authority to get the low down on the upcoming Sioux Falls Half Marathon coming up on Sunday, August 30th. Greg: What is new with the Sioux Falls Marathon this year? Thomas: Due to the times, we’ve scaled back to having only a Half Marathon which we capped at 600 participants. With no Expo this year, runners will receive their bib by mail mid-month. Additional precautions will be in place to provide as safe of an event for all involved as possible. Greg: What should participants expect on race day? Thomas: Where to begin?! We’ll have an outdoor start/finish this year as well as staggered starts of 50 or 100 runners every few minutes. The water stops, offering unopened bottled water, will be self-serve. The finish line will be less party-like than usual to help prevent post-race lingering. Shirts, medals and other goodies will also be self-serve once crossing the finish line. Downtown construction has caused a need to alter our typical HM route, runners should expect a hill at Mile 6! We’re thrilled to be offering a live race and hope, though this year will have a much different feel, runners will enjoy the day nonetheless. Greg: Traditionally the race has been on the second weekend of September. Why was this year’s event moved? Do you foresee this being the new date in the future for this event? Thomas: The primary reason for the move was due to an original date conflict with the Sanford International. I was looking forward to seeing if this year’s registration would vary from our typical mid-September date, but now of course we won’t have a true comparison. We received a lot of positive feedback initially when announcing the late-August date so it will definitely be considered for 2021 along with a return to mid-September. Greg: Give us a little history on the Sioux Falls Sports Authority and the leadership of the Sioux Falls Marathon. Thomas: The SFSA is responsible for recruiting major regional and national sporting events to Sioux Falls. In the past five years, we have hosted nearly a dozen NCAA Championships as well as multiple NAIA National Championships. We also work with the Summit League each year to help with the production of their Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championships, assist however needed with the Sanford International, and of course we operate the Sioux Falls Marathon. Austin Bramley, Anne Bishop and I are the staff leadership of the marathon, but we rely greatly on Sanford marketing, runner & volunteer feedback, as well as our race director friends around the country that are fortunately open to sharing their success stories with us so we can continue to evolve the marathon into something our city can take great pride in. Greg: Tell us about your sponsors and who benefits from the SF Marathon. Thomas: We are continually grateful to have Sanford Health as the event’s title sponsor. They are very much involved in the planning of the event each year as they handle a bulk of the marketing efforts and provide all of the medical personnel. We are equally grateful to have the support of Hy-Vee, Chesterman/Coke, Midco, Results Radio, Smithfield, South Dakota Beef and AARP during this very unique year. A portion of the proceeds raised each year are donated to the Children’s Miracle Network! Greg: Leave us with a final message to the local running community. Thomas: Thank you to everyone’s support over the years. Whether you’ve ran or volunteered just once or do so yearly, we greatly appreciate it! Also, seriously, prepare for that hill at Mile 6 (sorry)!!! Greg Koch is the Co-Owner and General Manager of 605 Running Company and Produces the Sioux Falls Skedaddle Half Marathon, SuFu Circuit Relay Race and the 605 Summer Race Series. He serves on the Board of Directors for Downtown Sioux Falls, the 605 Race Crew and the Sioux Falls Area Running Club. When Greg isn’t with his family or working he enjoys being outside biking, kayaking, golfing or playing church softball.
Instagram: gregrun605 YouTube: 605 Running Company Facebook: facebook.com/greg.koch.583
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 Well, I think it is pretty safe to say that from the last time I contributed to our blog to now just a few things have changed. Here at 605 Running Company, like most businesses, we have had a pretty bumpy ride here the past few months. I don’t remember studying how to respond to a global pandemic in business school, but I’m pretty sure the fact that I get to write this blog post today is pretty indicative of our ability and our community’s ability to thrive during unprecedented times. Running is and has always been great for your health, and during a world health crisis we are happy to see so many new folks joining us out-and-about walking, running, riding bike and doing all of the great wellness activities that keep us healthy and safe. In that spirit of wellness I recently caught up with the President of the Sioux Falls Area Running Club Nate Schwab to chat about the upcoming Trail Race Series this fall. Greg: Give me a brief history of the trail race series. Nate: The trail race series started with the Newton Hills 10k. For years the run club hosted this annual race, and it was for many, the entire eastern South Dakota trail running scene rolled up into one event. Over the past few years we’ve watched two great things happen in our region. One, trail running has grown in popularity and we have more folks hitting the trails on a regular basis. Two, we have experienced great growth in available trails within driving distance to Sioux Falls. We added the series to highlight all of the great places to run within our region. Greg: What’s new this year? Nate: This year we are thrilled to offer two different locations for two of our races including Tuthill Park in Sioux Falls and Union Grove State Park near Beresford, South Dakota. Our race series will happen over a six week schedule and we have a point series to keep things exciting from race-to-race. The race series has become famous for offering exciting swag and we have some fun options for each race including shorts, shirts and a beanie. Local club member Kristi Wire designed us brand new logos for our races this year and they turned out fantastic. Greg: Tell me why we should run local races. Nate: The Trail Race Series proceeds are injected directly back into the community for trail building through FAST (Falls Area Single Track). Thanks to the efforts of FAST and our previous donations we will be able to race at Tuthill Park. Our proceeds also support run club events including kids cross country races, socials and our annual Run for Food with the Sioux Falls Banquet. Greg: What else should we know about the trail race series? Nate: The Sioux Falls Area Running Club is run completely by volunteers. If you are not interested in racing, or your family members would like to get involved please consider volunteering for the trail race series. All event info can be found on our website www.runsiouxfalls.org including volunteer sign-up, race registration and details about each race location and distances. If you are participating it really benefits you to sign-up early as we will have a price increase two weeks out before the first race. You can sign-up for races individually or for all three races at once. Greg Koch is the Co-Owner and General Manager of 605 Running Company and Produces the Sioux Falls Skedaddle Half Marathon, SuFu Circuit Relay Race and the 605 Summer Race Series. He serves on the Board of Directors for Downtown Sioux Falls, the 605 Race Crew and the Sioux Falls Area Running Club. When Greg isn’t with his family or working he enjoys being outside biking, kayaking, golfing or playing church softball.
Instagram: gregrun605 YouTube: 605 Running Company Facebook: facebook.com/greg.koch.583  Many of you who follow 605 Running Company on our various social media platforms may have seen an event titled “Run846” circulating, or maybe you have seen friends share it. I’d like to take a minute and elaborate on the reason for this event, and the imperative message behind it. It is no secret that our country is in a state of turmoil and unrest. However, I cannot help but think, and hope, that it is an opportunity for profound change. When the news of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer first broke, I found myself feeling disheartened, sad, angry, and helpless. It was an all-too familiar headline that I felt like had pervaded news stories for years; and with the added layer of technology and ability to live-stream such events, it was hard not to feel like we had become desensitized to such brutality. After wallowing in a state of hopelessness, I began to reframe my thinking, and my runner’s brain piped up. At this time in my fitness, the eight minutes and forty-six seconds that it took for George Floyd’s life to be taken from him is the time it takes me to comfortably run a mile. When I push harder, beyond the point of discomfort, I can go farther. As runners, no matter our fitness levels, paces, or abilities, our bodies are capable of amazing things. American entrepreneur Charlene Johnson said, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, that’s how you break the plateau and reach the next level”. This is so true, not only as an athlete, or a businessperson, or professional, but as human being. Thus, Run846 was born. Imagine what you are capable of when you push just a little harder; when you shut out the voices telling you that you can’t, or that there’s no point, or that no one cares. Imagine giving just a little more of yourself and breaking past the plateau that you’ve been stuck at for weeks, months, or even years. I will be the first to admit that I hate being uncomfortable, and I would imagine most folks would agree it’s a state of being that they prefer not to endure. But without discomfort, the chances of profound change are slim. We are at a pivotal moment in our history to be voices of change, advocates and allies for those whose voices have been silenced by the majority for far too long. So, I invite you to join us for 8 minutes and 46 seconds this Friday, July 3rd as we prepare to celebrate our independence as a nation and see how far your legs can carry you when you push past that discomfort. Join our event page on Facebook and share it, then share your accomplishments on social media using #Run846 and our event frame. We are capable of so much as human beings, and with a little love and fortitude, we can truly do great things. I hope you will participate with us and spread the word of love, equality, and justice this coming weekend. Let’s do better. Maren Ernst has been a contributor to 605 Running Company for four years. When not working at the shop Maren enjoys riding her bike or motorcycle, painting, reading and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Instagram: @maren_runs_the_605 I don’t know about all of you, but every year I tend to dread Father’s Day. Maybe it’s being a woman, and never having brothers, I generally have no idea what to get him for a gift, or maybe it’s because most of the things I think he’d need, want, or enjoy are way outside of my budget. Whatever the reason, I’m always super anxious for the day that is meant to honor my dad. Lucky for me (and maybe you), 605 Running Company is stocked full of items that any dad could use and enjoy, even if he’s not a runner! I decided to do a virtual haul of my favorite “Dad Things” that are available down at the store or online for all you last minute shoppers, so listen up, take notes, and then pick out the perfect Father’s Day gift for special person in your life.
This list isn’t exhaustive or comprehensive by any means. If you don’t see anything here that you think your dad will love, come on down and talk to one of the talented sales associates and see if they can find something to meet your needs. From nutrition products to shoes to apparel to gift cards, I doubt you’ll leave the shop without something that your dad will love in hand! Maren Ernst has been a contributor to 605 Running Company for four years. When not working at the shop Maren enjoys riding her bike or motorcycle, painting, reading and spending quality time with her friends and family.
Instagram: @maren_runs_the_605 This year has been a year...I mean A YEAR. Times are crazy and I think we’ve all been struggling to reconcile our thoughts and feelings about all that has transpired. Factor in the reality that it’s been virtually impossible to gather and participate in our favorite sport, you’ve got a recipe for a bunch of squirrely runners, to say the least. The 605 Day in Sioux Falls was an exciting opportunity for our city and state to showcase what makes our beloved state unique. As a local shop in town with 605 in bold numbers outside our front door, we look forward to this day each summer, hoping to make it better than the last. It is prime time for people to start running, walking, and cycling as the weather is finally warm, thus filling the streets with people looking to get some exercise and fresh air. There was a heaviness though, as we approached this year’s 605 Day. We have faced separation from family and friends because of coronavirus, forcing us to deny our natural human instinct for companionship and socialization. Then, this past week we were confronted with the uncomfortable, devastating reality of the deep divide that still exists in this country between white communities and communities of people of color, specifically the Black community. And while we all look forward to gathering again for group runs and fellowship and delicious dinners and nights out on the town, we feel it is important to acknowledge the deep pain, frustration, and suffering that these communities--our brothers and sisters--are feeling, and have felt for decades. 605 Running Company is a proudly owned local shop, and joins numerous other locally owned businesses in our community. We feel it’s imperative to support other local businesses and business owners, but today we would like to specifically highlight restaurants and businesses that are owned by members of the Black community, as well as other businesses owned and operated by people of color. Restaurants
Hair, Health, and Other Businesses
At 605 Running Company, we pride ourselves on our relationship with our running community and the Sioux Falls community as a whole, and we believe that local small business is the heart of what makes Sioux Falls so special. During these uncertain, trying, emotional times, it is more important than ever to love and support one another, so we encourage you to continue to support local business, and take some time to check out some places you’ve never shopped or eaten at before. We love Sioux Falls and The 605! This blog post was submitted by contributors Maren Ernst and Carter Gronseth.
Maren Ernst has been a contributor to 605 Running Company for four years. When not working at the shop Maren enjoys riding her bike or motorcycle, painting, reading and spending quality time with her friends and family. Instagram: @maren_runs_the_605 Carter Gronseth has been a contributor to 605 Running Company for three years. When she is not working at the shop Carter embraces a good lake day, spending quality time with family and friends and exploring new adventures. |
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11am - 4pm - 7 Days-A-Week! 605 Running Company will be CLOSED for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday 11/26/2020 & Friday 11/27/2020
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