The Run For The Banquet - Origin Story

On Thanksgiving morning back in 2004, longtime SF Run Club members Jeff Schmitt and Rob Sevold stopped at The Banquet and asked if they could donate some money. The staff was a bit perplexed why a couple of guys were randomly stopping by on Thanksgiving morning to donate money, but were ultimately happy for their thoughtfulness. Jeff and Rob made their donation and went out on their run, thinking how thankful they were for everything they had, and glad to have given back to those who weren’t as fortunate.

The next year, they thought to make it bigger, and invited other runners to join them at The Banquet, to donate, and run some miles together. Year after year, word spread and more and more people showed up to donate and run. So much so, that eventually the crowds were big enough that street closures and logistics were becoming an issue, and in 2018 the run was moved to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds.

As most runners know, Thanksgiving is the biggest running day of the year. There are no shortage of good causes that runners lace up for throughout the year, but there is something special about taking Thanksgiving morning to get out, work up an appetite, and be thankful that later in the day, we are able to have a wonderful meal with our family and friends. Not everyone is as lucky, and that’s why this run is so important. It has grown to become The Banquet’s largest fundraiser of the year, helping them feed thousands of guests (16 meals per week between two locations), put fully stocked backpacks on hundreds of kids shoulders, and be a gathering place for those in need.

Please join us and hundreds of others, wherever you are, to lace up, donate, and Run for The Banquet!

FAQs

What are the details of the Run For The Banquet?

When: Thanksgiving Morning at 8:00 AM

Where: W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Armory Building (100 N Lyon Blvd, Sioux Falls, SD 57107)

Cost: $20 suggested donation, per person - link HERE

Distances: There are three distances available. 1 mile, 5k, or 10k - but feel free to walk or run for whatever works for you!

Where do I park?

Please enter the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds from the north entrance (traffic light corner of Madison St and N Louise Ave). Parking lot attendants will help direct you to the appropriate lot from there.

Do I get a shirt or medal?

This is a true no-frills run. No registration. No bibs or timing. No shirts. No medals. No competitive pressure. This event is all about fun, fitness, and community.

What’s the course?

The course is a flat 1.5 mile loop fully contained in the Fairgrounds. The loop is paved road for most of it, with a little gravel road as well. It works well with strollers for those with young family members! View a map HERE.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes! Dogs are welcome. Please make sure they are on a leash though.

Is there somewhere to keep warm?

Yes, the Armory building is open during the event! Bring the family along even if they aren’t running or walking. The Armory is a great place to stay warm, use the bathroom if needed, and get a family picture in front of the giant inflatable turkey!

Runners, walkers, strollers and families are all welcomed. Feel free to dress festive – turkeys, pilgrims and Thanksgiving-themed costumes are encouraged.

Can I donate if I can’t make it?

Yes! Run or walk wherever you are, however you can, and donate HERE!

How can I help?

The fun doesn’t happen without volunteers to help make it happen! Please click on the volunteer sign up below to help out on Thanksgiving morning. If you’re looking to help out with planning, please reach out to runsiouxfalls@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you soon!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/RunForTheBanquet#/

What is The Banquet?

The Banquet exists to provide food and fellowship to those in need in the Sioux Falls community, powered by the generosity of volunteers and donors. Since 1985, The Banquet has served meals, built connections, and created a welcoming space for all.

Currently, The Banquet has two locations in Sioux Falls, serving 16 meals a week. It is a volunteer-based ministry, which means the meals are paid for, prepared by, and served by volunteer groups who come from Sioux Falls and the surrounding area.

The Banquet also distributes free backpacks filled with school supplies through Project S.O.S. In 2025 they gave out over 3000 to needy children in the area.

Learn more at www.TheBanquetSF.org.