One man’s voice was heard !

This bridge was going to come down, at great expense to the State of South Dakota.  One man, Jerry Cole, Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Rapid City hopped in his car and drove to the state capitol to a meeting and said; “Hey, wait a minute, I’ve got an idea.”  Here’s his idea…6

As the event director of The Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon Weekend and The Lean Horse Hundred Ultra marathon (also on the Mickelson Trail), I am excited about the potential of creating another event on this new trail. I am also privileged to be on the newly formed West River Trails Coalition (WRTC) Board of Directors, whose sole purpose is to make sure this vision of a new recreational opportunity is realized.

Our website will be up and running by Jan. 1, so come back join and join our group and watch the progress.

My working name for the new trail is The Rapidoka Trail….it runs from Rapid City to Kadoka, SD.  Whaddaya think?

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1. Donna Olson says:

   December 2, 2009 at 9:43 pm

   What a fantastic weekend event that would be! “The Badlands 100″. You could host an organzied bike ride, an ultra marathon, and a marathon relay from Rapid to the Badlands. I wish you luck with the realization of that dream! The name???…well…how about “The Rapikota Trail”
2. Jerry Dunn says:

   December 2, 2009 at 9:53 pm

   Yes….there is great potential. It will be a few years but we’re gonna git ‘er Dunn…..did I say that?
3. Ulli the Walker says:

   December 3, 2009 at 12:06 am

   I like “Badlands 100″

   Why not have a “test event” in 2010? Kind of self-supported, maybe something like ~20 experienced runners/walkers. End of May, beginning of June … when it’s not yet too hot, days are long …

   Dreaming of another great Dunn-Event,
   Ulli the Walker
4. Jerry Dunn says:

   December 4, 2009 at 10:10 am

   Ulli ….. they say great minds run in the same path, apparently in our case that’s holds true. A discussion has already begun about holding an ultra event on the trail as it currently exists as a way of bringing attention to the project.
   You’ll be one of the first to know when it’s planned.
   Lean Horse
5. Elise Robocker says:

   December 16, 2009 at 10:32 am

   Sounds wonderful! Although I’m not the least knowlegeable about race directing, I’m imagining a run on the proposed Foys to Blacktail trail system in the Flathead Valley … perfect for a marathon or 50K — NW Montana needs another run…. : ))

   A scribbled notation on my 2010 to-do list —- investigate the possibilities
6. Jerry Dunn says:

   December 16, 2009 at 9:36 pm

   Elise….everything start with an idea, a dream, a vision. Race directing isn’t rocket science……just a heck of a lot of work. I could advise you.
   As you beging to investigate, let me know if you have any questions I can help you with.
   Jerry
7. Elise Robocker says:

   December 18, 2009 at 11:04 pm

   Thank you Jerry, I have a few feelers to put out and will certainly take you up on any and all advice when the time comes!! Elise