The Tough Call: Why Canceling the Sioux Falls Marathon Was the Right Decision

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.