The Black Hills' climbs and scenery have made the region a growing destination for endurance events. When South Dakota gathers, it does so at a scale that can surprise first-time visitors.

The Mickelson Trail Marathon runs point-to-point down the old rail grade.

What sets it apart

Trail races test runners on the hills' steep singletrack. Small as it sounds, it is exactly the sort of thing that defines the experience on the ground.

Cycling events use the region's quiet mountain highways.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern plains and the people drawn to them. For the crowds who return year after year, it has become a fixture of the South Dakota calendar.