How do I register for the Sioux Falls Marathon?

Registration is open to all runners through the RunSignup platform. Early bird pricing is available before July 5, 2026, after which the price increases. Entry fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to a future year.

Is the Sioux Falls Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF-certified and qualifies for Boston Marathon entry. You'll need to hit your age-group standard on race day.

What is the time limit?

The time limit is 6.5 hours from the start.

What is the elevation profile like?

The loop course has about 300 feet of total elevation gain with no net descent. The terrain is rolling rather than flat, without any single steep climb, but you won't get a downhill finish to bail you out either.

What is the weather typically like on race day?

September in Sioux Falls tends to be mild but can warm up through the morning. Average race-day highs sit around 79°F with lows near 55°F, and there's roughly a 30% chance of some precipitation. Plan to hydrate early.

How large is the field?

The race is a smaller event with recent finisher counts around 400. The low-key atmosphere means you'll have plenty of room to run your own race.

Is the course USATF certified?

Yes, the Sioux Falls Marathon course is USATF certified, which means your finish time is valid for Boston qualifying purposes.

Sun, Sep 20 · 2026Sioux Falls, SDSince 2012

Sioux Falls Marathon

The Sioux Falls Marathon runs a loop course through South Dakota's largest city, with modest elevation and open registration that makes it one of the more accessible Boston qualifiers on the fall calendar.

FlatOpen

Register on RunSignup Visit race website

SIOUX FALLS · US

Sioux Falls

SUN, SEP 20

2026

UNLOCK YOUR FIT SCORE

How does Sioux Falls stack up for you?

Answer 6 questions, and we’ll score this race honestly and compare it against every other marathon in our directory.

Take the 2-min quiz

Race Overview

EST. 2012

The Sioux Falls Marathon runs a loop through South Dakota's largest city in mid-September. The course is modest on elevation, mostly rolling without anything that will blow up your legs early. It's a genuine Boston qualifier and the kind of race where your fitness does the talking. The field is small enough that you'll rarely feel crowded at any point, which makes it easier to lock into your own pace from the gun.

One thing to plan around: the weather. Average highs can push close to 80 by mid-morning, so if you're chasing a time, go out conservative and hydrate from mile one. The course loops back through the city, so you'll see familiar ground in the second half, which helps with mental pacing. Registration is open and straightforward through RunSignup, with early bird pricing before early July. It fills before the start line, so don't wait too long. If you want a low-key fall qualifier without the lottery stress, this one is worth putting on your calendar.

Field size

~402

402 finishers

BQ rate

—

Boston qualifier

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:26:12

Matthew Fideler

2014

Women

2:48:34

Jen Van Otterloo

2025

The Course

300 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑300 ft

Total descent

—

Net elevation

—

Highest point

—

Lowest point

—

Course shape

Loop

Start and finish in one place

This USATF-certified loop course keeps total elevation gain modest at 300 feet, which on a loop means no net descent to lean on. Expect rolling terrain rather than punishing climbs, with the gain distributed across the course rather than concentrated in one brutal stretch. The lack of a significant net drop means you earn your time on flat-to-rolling ground, so pacing discipline matters from the start. Runners chasing a BQ should resist going out fast on whatever early flat sections appear and save a little for the back half. September conditions in Sioux Falls can run warm by mid-morning, so an early-start strategy and hydration focus are worth building into your plan.

DIFFICULTYFLATPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

View official course map Past results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

55°F

High

79°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

September in Sioux Falls can catch you off guard. The start feels comfortable in the mid-50s, but by the back half of the race temperatures are climbing toward the high 70s. That gap matters. You might feel fresh early and push harder than you should. Don't. Treat the first half conservatively and hydrate from mile one, because the warmth builds and a loop course gives you nowhere to hide from it.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration through RunSignup platform. Early bird pricing available; spots may become limited. Standard industry policy applies: non-refundable entry fees, no transfer to following year.

Register on RunSignup

Logistics

For runners travelling in

Closest airport

MSP

197 mi

from the start

≈ 311 min transferLonger haul

What to expect

Most travelling runners fly into MSP, about 197 miles from the start, a longer haul by rideshare or transit, roughly a 311-minute trip. Stay close to the start in Sioux Falls, SD so you're not fighting race-morning closures and transit on tired legs. Arrive a day early to clear the expo and bib pickup, and build in buffer for gear-check and corral entry.

Frequently Asked

7 questions

Compare your options

Related races

Browse all races