Trail Running Calendar Iowa 2025-2026

Death by 5k Waterloo is a challenging 24-hour running event held at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, Iowa. Participants must complete ten 5k runs or walks, each starting 2.5 hours apart, on a paved out-and-back course along the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail. The event offers a supportive atmosphere wi..

The Sunderbruch B&B Trail Races, held in Davenport, Iowa, offer 5K and 10K trail running events on scenic single-track trails at Sunderbruch Park. Organized by Quad Cities Trail & Ultra Runners and Sun Trail Running, the race emphasizes fun, community, and trail enjoyment over exact distances. The 5..

The Deer Dash Trail Races take place in Oak Grove Park, Hawarden, Iowa, offering 3.5, 7.5, and approximately 12.5-mile trail runs. The courses wind through densely wooded hills and prairie along the Big Sioux River, featuring single-track mountain bike and hiking trails with numerous twists, turns,..

The Crater Trail Run takes place in Decorah, Iowa, featuring challenging off-road single-track trails in Van Peenen Memorial Park, part of a 17+ mile mountain bike trail system. The event offers multiple distances: 50K, 25K, 10K, 5K, and a Kids Mile, with significant elevation gains ranging from 613..

The Schuetzen NEIN! Hour Endurance Run is a challenging trail running event held in Davenport, Iowa, featuring a 0.85-mile loop through scenic and demanding terrain. Participants can run solo or as part of a relay team, aiming to cover as many miles as possible within a nine-hour window. The course..

The Iowa Trail Run Series: A Midsummer Night's Run is an exciting running event scheduled for June 21, 2025, at McFarland Park in Ames, Iowa. Participants can choose between a 5K or 10K trail run, featuring a mix of single track, prairie, and gravel paths as the sun sets on a summer evening. A porti..

The House of Hope Trail Blaze is a running event scheduled for July 12, 2025, at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, Iowa. Participants can choose from three race options: a Team 10K, an Individual 10K, and an Individual 5K. The event promises a scenic experience on the park's hard trails, with timi..

The Lake Macbride Trail Races, scheduled for July 19, 2025, is a running event featuring 50K and 25K distances set in the scenic Lake Macbride State Park in Iowa. Participants will navigate a moderately challenging course that includes a mix of crushed limestone trails, technical sections, and diver..

The Whiterock Ultra is a trail running event held at the scenic Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids, Iowa, featuring 50K and 50-mile race distances. Set within a 5,500-acre nonprofit land trust with 40 miles of trails along the Middle Raccoon River Valley, the course offers challenging terrain with..

The Moorehead Park Trail Mazathon is a scenic marathon trail run set in Moorehead Park, Ida Grove, Iowa. Scheduled for August 2, 2025, the event features three distance options: a full 26.2-mile marathon, a 17.6-mile 2/3 Mazathon, and an 8.8-mile 1/3 Mazathon. Participants will navigate well-marked..

The Trail of the Dragon 50K/50 Mile Run is an exciting endurance event taking place at Moorehead Park in Ida Grove, Iowa. Participants can choose between a 50K, consisting of three 10-mile loops, or a 50-mile option, which includes five loops. The course features scenic trails with challenging hills..

The Mines of Spain Trail Races is a scenic running event held in Dubuque, Iowa, featuring 4-mile, 7-mile, and half marathon distances. The race takes place at the EB Lyons Nature Center and showcases challenging trails through the Mines of Spain park, including dirt single and double tracks, prairie..

The Trench Run is a challenging 10K trail run held at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa. This unique race features a course that includes military simulations such as trenches, smoke, pyrotechnics, blank fire, military vehicles, fire trucks, streams, and occasional helicopter flybys, offering an immersiv..

The Iowa Trail Run Series: Annett Nature Center is a scenic running event taking place at the Annett Nature Center in Indianola, Iowa. Participants can choose between a 5K and a 10K race, both designed to showcase the beautiful landscape of the area, including gravel paths and dirt trails. A portion..

The ScoCo50 is a trail running event held at Scott County Park near Long Grove, Iowa, featuring 50K, 10-mile, and 5-mile races. The course includes a mix of wooded and prairie trails with gentle elevation changes, designed to be beginner-friendly yet challenging for seasoned runners. The event empha..

The Booneville Backroads Ultra, scheduled for August 30, 2025, offers a challenging running experience through the scenic rural landscapes of Iowa, including the iconic Bridges of Madison County. Participants can choose from various distances: 100 Miler, 100K, 50K, and 10K. Notable changes for 2025..

The Pleasant Creek Trail Run, hosted by the Eastern Iowa Trail Alliance, is an annual trail running event held in Palo, Iowa. The 11th edition is scheduled for September 13, 2025, featuring three race distances: 15K, 30K, and 45K. The course runs on Pleasant Creek’s outer equestrian trail loop, prim..

The Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra is an endurance running event held in West Point, Iowa, featuring repetitive 4.167-mile loops through Pollmiller Lake Park. Participants aim to complete as many loops as possible within a set time, testing their physical and mental resilience. The race emphasizes comm..

The Iowa Trail Run Series: Yellow River State Forest offers a unique running experience in the scenic driftless region of Iowa. Scheduled for September 21, 2025, this event features three race options: a 5K, a 10K, and a half marathon, catering to various skill levels. Participants can enjoy diverse..

The Doggone Tired Ultra is a trail running event held at Rodgers Park in Vinton, Iowa. It offers two race distances: a 50K ultra and a 10-mile run. The course features a scenic 10-mile loop around the lake and campground areas, including wood chip trails, grassy fields, wooded sections, and about 3...