Your guide to this year’s Sioux Falls Skedaddle – plus the story behind it

This paid piece is sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls.

After going virtual in 2020, the Sioux Falls Skedaddle is back to in person for 2021.

While the race crew at 605 Running Co. has done extensive planning for health and safety protocols, that’s not the only thing different about this year’s race.

It’s a two-day event being held April 24 and25, and it’s more than just a race.

Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this year’s Skedaddle – whether you plan to run or not.

It’s an elite field – but you don’t have to be to participate

There are some truly legit runners coming to the Sioux Falls Skedaddle – as in four previous Olympic trial qualifiers in the marathon.

But you don’t have to be anywhere close to elite to participate.

“We really cover that whole spectrum, and we really do believe that our sport is inclusive to everyone, and so never say never,” said Greg Koch, co-owner of 605 Running Co. “If you hang out with us long enough, you could find yourself doing a half-marathon.”

This year also includes a first-time-runner experience, so all are welcome.

There’s more for everyone this year

This year’s event adds the 60.5 Move Expo, a way to keep the whole family active.

Runners can pick up their race bib, and they get all their final instructions for race morning.

But then there also are health and wellness vendors coming and lots more for the whole family to do. The idea is to get 60.5 minutes of activity at the expo, which starts at 10 a.m. April 24.

“Runners in their races tend to be a little on the selfish side,” Koch explained. “If I sign up for a marathon, that whole weekend’s all about me. Like, I’ve trained for 20 weeks for this, and this is the culmination. This is a celebration of me, me, me.”

To flip that script, you’ll now find activities for kids, yoga, Pilates, fitness classes and demonstrations on activities families can do together. There will be a main stage with entertainment, food and beverage vendors and a family fit zone.

This all happened because businesses came together

And speaking of coming together, that’s the whole reason the Skedaddle is even possible.

It began as a big dream for the owners of 605 Running: hold a half-marathon.

The result? An annual event that now hosts up to 1,300 runners from 37 states who come to Sioux Falls to run 13.1 miles. But the goal is to make it even bigger.

To bring their race to a larger scale and attract runners from all over the region, 605 Running realized it would need partnerships from other businesses and organizations in Sioux Falls, which is when The First National Bank in Sioux Falls came on the scene. It’s the presenting sponsor for this year’s 60.5 Move Expo.

“When we approached the bank specifically about Skedaddle, they were all-in to support our events, and they saw a natural tie-in on how being an active community with health and wellness at the forefront is really a successful community,” Koch said.

The bank and the running store are neighbors and share the belief that an active community is a healthier community.

“I was super excited when I found out the bank is a sponsor of Skedaddle!” said Tony Goettsch, an avid runner and senior auditor at the bank. “It’s nice to know they’re supporting a race that I am participating in and also that they’re supporting one of our downtown business neighbors.”

It has proven such a good partnership that it led to one more relationship: 605 Running Co. decided to move its business banking to FNB.

“I wouldn’t say we have one banker, we have like, a family at the bank is how I would describe it,” Koch said. “It really is a family. Our block, because we’re right next door, is just a little community in and of itself. That’s just been a natural move. It’s a great partnership for us, and we’ve been treated well by everyone at the bank.”

For information about the Sioux Falls Skedaddle or the 60.5 Move Expo, visit the website.