Join us for a running tour of Beautiful Lake Kampeska located in Watertown, SD! This scenic Half Marathon will take you on a trip around Lake Kampeska with trails running through Jackson Park, Memorial Park and ending on the waterfront boardwalk at Stokes-Thomas City Park. If the 13.1 mile run is too much, join us for a 2 person Half Marathon Relay that splits these miles in half.
Make this a family weekend! Come on Friday night, run or walk the Buffalo Wild Wings 5k, visit one of our unique restaurants and spend the night in one of our great hotels. Then get up early on Saturday morning for our DASH Around Kampeska Half Marathon. Spend the rest of the day Saturday visiting some of Watertown, SD greatest attractions. We have so much for a family to see and do. Visit the beautiful Terry Redlin Art museum, Bramble Park Zoo, and our downtown Watertown area.
A portion of the proceeds from this race will benefit Watertown D.A.S.H. – a program at our local Police Department that hosts annual events that empower youth to choose to live Drug Free, Alcohol Free, Safe & Healthy lifestyles.
Packet pick up schedule:
(New location from previous years)
Friday, May 15, 2026
Prairie Lakes Ice Arena - 3015 1st Ave NE
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
and
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Stokes-Thomas City Park - 90 S. Lake Drive
5:30 am to 6:15 am
Schedule of Events:
The Buffalo Wild Wings 5K will take place at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 15, 2026. The Prairie Lakes Ice Arena is located at 3015 1st Ave NE. This will be an untimed family friendly run or walk so register the whole family. Packet pick-up starts at 5:00 pm at the Ice Arena and 5K starts at 6:00 pm. The Buffalo Wild Wings 5K will start and finish at the Prairie Lakes Ice Arena and there will be a catered Buffalo Wild Wings after party immediately following the race in the Ice Arena lobby until 8:00 pm with food and drinks for the registered 5K participants.
The Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay will take place at City Park at 7:00 am on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The race will start at Jackson Park and finish along the waterfront boardwalk at City Park. Parking will be available inside the Campground entrance or inside the Boat Landing entrance at City Park. Please pick up your race packet at City Park if you did not pick it up Friday night. The Half Marathon participants will be transported by bus from City Park over to the start line at Jackson Park or runners can get dropped off at Jackson Park. The Half Marathon relay participants should carpool and drive themselves to Jackson Park for the pre-race instructions. The relay participant running the second leg of the race should then drive to Memorial Park so the first participant has a vehicle to drive back to City Park after the transfer has been made. Bus Transportation from City Park to the starting line at Jackson Park will begin at 6:00 am from the boat landing entrance. The bus will go back and forth every 10 minutes with the last ride leaving City Park at 6:40 am. Be sure you are on the bus before 6:40 am or you risk missing the race announcements and the start of the race. There will be food and beverages ready for you when you cross the finish line.
We will hand out awards as soon as possible once the award winner finishes.
There will be a 3 1/2 hour cut off time for the Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay.
There will be a $10 price increase on March 1st, April 1st and May 1st.
All online registration will close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026! NO REGISTRATIONS will be accepted for the Half Marathon or the Buffalo Wild Wings 5K after that time or on the day of the race.
For safety precautions, no pets, bikes or strollers are allowed on the route.
There will be no refunds.
Fees:
$50 for Half Marathon; $60 March 1st; $70 April 1st; $80 May 1st
$70 for Relay; $80 March 1st; $90 April 1st; $100 May 1st
$20 for 5K; $25 April 1st; $30 May 1st
$5 for 5K (12-under)
Double Dashers: If you participate in both the 5K and the Half Marathon, you will receive a special $10 price for the 5K and you will receive the Double Dash Pin. You must register seperately for the Buffalo Wild Wings 5K which can be found on It's Your Race.
