Last year, a staple of marathon running in the Black Hills folded up shop. Early Sunday morning, from the ashes emerged a new race with a familiar face to fill the void.

With one of the Black Hills' most recognizable faces standing vigil, runners in the inaugural Run Crazy Horse Marathon were sent off to the sounds of native drums.

Nearly 800 runners competed in the full and half marathons. Race co-director Jerry Dunn is thrilled with the turnout and what the future holds for Sunday's event.

Dunn says, 'It's a fantastic start. We wanted to start a little small just to get it right and make sure everything's going well. Ironically, we pulled 800 out of the air back in October which was our fantasy goal. And to get this close to it... we're really happy.'Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon, which is my other event, grew from 70 to almost 3,000 this past June in nine years. We're thinking we can make this one get to 3-to-4,000 probably three or four years.'

Our own Justin Pazera and Megan Palera ran the half-marathon Sunday. Megan 'The Metronome' destroyed the course, finishing 11th among the women in a time of 1-hour-40-minutes-36 seconds.

Aaron Carrizales is the top finisher in the men's full marathon in 2-48-15. Michelle Lipp was first in the women's full marathon 3-39-58.

Jamie Zepp