RAPID CITY - One of the nation's premier trail marathons is back for its sixth consecutive year and there will be a new winner in both the half and full marathon portions of the Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon.

"We started with 70 runners in 2002 and now we're up to 1,700 total, 1,300 of which are here for the half-marathon," event director Jerry Dunn said. "We're about even with last year, as far as entrants go. We really grew the first three years and we've kind of held steady over the last three years. I'd really like to thank our sponsors … for helping us make this event what it is. "

Defending champions Scott Colford (marathon) and Brian Clark (half-marathon) are not entered in this year's event, which kicks off with over 100 runners in the 5K/1K run on Saturday and continues with the half-marathon, marathon and relay events beginning Sunday at 8 a.m. The start is an hour later than in previous years. The reasoning was more about rest and comfort than logistics.

"We have to bus runners from Deadwood to the start of the race," Dunn said of the race's starting point at Rochford for the full marathon and one half mile north of the Dumont Trailhead for the half-marathon. "Runners had to get up pretty early to get to the bus in years past, so we decided to move the start back an hour just to give them another hour of sleep."

The event, started in 2002, has steadily grown into a destination for runners from all over the country. The field has over 1,800 runners this year from 47 states, Canada and Denmark. More than half of the entrants this year in the marathon, half-marathon and relay events are from South Dakota.

Dave Braley, a Sioux Falls native and the winner of the inaugural event in 2002, is the only past winner of the race back this year.

Dunn encourages race fans to come out and support the runners on Sunday morning through the afternoon. The race ends at the Sherman Street parking lot in Deadwood. Half-marathon contestants are expected to start finishing their race at a little after 9 a.m.

"People that want to come out and cheer on the runners as they finish are more than welcome to do that," Dunn said. "They can come on out to the Sherman Street parking lot any time from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m."

Participants are encouraged to pick up their race packets from noon to 8 p.m. at the Deadwood Pavilion today or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The packets include the electronic chip and velcro ankle strap for timing purposes, bib no., T-shirt and other goodies provided by sponsors.

Registration for the race closed on Monday. No further registrations will be accepted.