Jack 15 Road Race

Be part of the history of Jack 15.

For 57 years, runners have been making an annual trek from White, S.D., to Brookings, S.D., making it the oldest road race in the Midwest. The 58th running of the 15.2-mile course from Hooker and Main in White to the Campanile in Brookings via county roads is Saturday, Oct. 3.

Prize money is offered for the top three male and female placers — $200 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third. All entries will receive a long-sleeve, moisture-wicking T-shirt and all finishers of the 15.2-mile run will receive a medal.

So start training for Prairie Striders’ version of an ultra-half marathon or grab some friends and form a relay team.

NOTES:

Guest speaker: The scheduled Friday evening speaker — Dennis Barker, former coach of Team USA Minnesota and author of “The River Road: Becoming a Runner in 1972” — has become a virtual event to be coordinated by the South Dakota Humanities Council. His presentation can be seen on the council's Facebook page at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

Medals: Medals to runners who complete the full distance.   

Early start: Walkers wanting an early start must contact the race director a week in advance of the race.

Race categories: The Jack 15 offers the following individual and team competitions:

• Individual competitors may run the entire 15.2 miles.

• 5-member relay team running 3 miles each

• 3-member relay team running 5 miles each.

• 2-member relay team running 7.5 miles each.

Relay teams may consist of all men, all women, or be co-ed.

Packet pickup: 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, southeast entrance of the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex on the South Dakota State University campus; 7-8:15 a.m. Oct. 3, Deubrook High School gym, east door, White, S.D.

Kids run: Canceled for 2020 to reduce congregating near the finish area re: COVID-19.