Trail Running Calendar Iowa 2025-2026

The Iowa Trail Run Series: Annett Nature Center takes place in Indianola, Iowa, offering 5K and 10K trail runs through the scenic Warren County Parks' Annett Nature Center. Participants enjoy a late summer race featuring gravel paths, dirt trails, and prairie grass landscapes. The event emphasizes a..

ScoCo50 is a trail running event held at Scott County Park in Long Grove, Iowa, offering 50K, 10-mile, and 5-mile race distances. The course features a mostly dirt and grass trail system through wooded and prairie areas, with gentle elevation gains—approximately 950 feet per 10-mile loop for the 50K..

The Booneville Backroads Ultra, held in Booneville, Iowa, offers challenging trail races through the scenic rural countryside and iconic Bridges of Madison County. The event features multiple distances: 100 miles, 100K, 50K, and a 10K, catering to a wide range of runners. Known for its significant e..

The Pleasant Creek Trail Run, held in Palo, Iowa, is an annual trail running event featuring three race distances: 15K, 30K, and 45K. The course runs on Pleasant Creek’s outer loop equestrian trail, a 15K loop of primarily dirt and grass trails with rolling hills and occasional small water crossings..

The LATR Backyard Ultra is a last-person-standing ultramarathon held at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Indianola, Iowa. Participants run a 4.167-mile loop around the scenic lake trails every hour on the hour, with no set finish time, continuing until only one runner remains. The course features mostly d..

The Friends of Pilot Knob Trail Race is held annually at Pilot Knob State Park in Forest City, Iowa. The event features 5K and 10K trail runs, offering participants a scenic course through the park's natural surroundings. Runners of all ages can compete, with awards given in multiple age divisions f..

The Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra is a challenging endurance running event held in West Point, Iowa, at Pollmiller Lake Park. Participants run repetitive 4.167-mile loops on a mixed-surface course featuring paved paths, gravel, and trails with minimal elevation change. The race tests physical and ment..

The Iowa Trail Run Series: Yellow River State Forest takes place in Harpers Ferry, Iowa, within the scenic driftless region known for its unique terrain and beautiful valley views. This event offers three race distances: a half marathon, 10K, and 5K, catering to trail runners of all skill levels. Pa..

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 park’s lake and campground, including wood chip trails, grassy fields, wooded technical sections, a..

The Iowa Trail Run Series: Jester Park takes place in Granger, Iowa, along the scenic shore of Saylorville Lake within Jester Park. Runners can choose between a 5K or 10K race on varied trail surfaces including gravel, dirt, and grass. The event offers clear course markings, support, and basic timin..

The Haunted Heritage Trail Fun Run / Hero Walk in Dyersville, Iowa, offers a festive and spooky running experience with multiple events including a 5K Haunted Heritage Trail Fun Run, a 10K Trail Run, and a 1 Mile Hero Walk. Participants are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes as they navigate a 3...

The Swiss Valley Trail Races, held in Peosta, Iowa, offer runners three distance options: 5.2 miles, 25K, and 50K. Set within the scenic Swiss Valley Nature Preserve, the course features rugged terrain, creek crossings, and steep inclines, with each 5.2-mile loop climbing approximately 875 feet. The..

The Hawks Watch Run/Walk is an annual 5K trail running and walking event held at the scenic Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, Iowa. Celebrating its 18th year in 2025, the race offers participants a chance to enjoy a challenging and picturesque course through natural surroundings. Registration..

The Backbone Trail Run takes place at Backbone State Park in Dundee, Iowa, offering two race distances: a moderate 4.3-mile course and a more challenging 10K Lake Loop. This trail race is known for its beautiful, scenic setting and a course that starts on pavement before transitioning to trails, pro..

Meyerhoff's Mayhem is a unique endurance running event held at Big Woods Campground in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Participants run 4 miles every 4 hours over a 48-hour period, with an optional 2-mile add-on after the final leg. The event welcomes solo runners, teams of 2-4, and ruck participants carrying we..

The Mines of Spain 100 is a challenging Midwest trail ultramarathon held in Dubuque, Iowa, set in the scenic bluffs, prairies, and forests of the Driftless Region along the Mississippi River valley. The event offers two distances: 100 miles (five loops) and 100 kilometers (three loops) on a roughly..

The Geode Challenge Races, held annually at Geode State Park in Danville, Iowa, offer trail running events of 5K, 12K, and 25K distances. The courses feature diverse terrain including dirt and single-track trails, rocky sections, gravel, sand, grass, road segments, hills, and a creek crossing, with..

The Equalizer Endurance Run is an inclusive running event held in Des Moines, IA, designed for both new and experienced runners to challenge themselves at ultra distances. The event features a unique age/sex 'equalizer' scoring system, allowing participants to compete fairly across different age gro..

The Yippee-Ki-Yay 50K, Half Marathon, and 10K races take place annually in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the scenic Wabash Trace Nature Trail. This event features a Rails-to-Trail course with a fine crushed limestone surface, offering beautiful Heartland countryside views. Participants can choose from a..

Woodpecker Six is a six-hour endurance trail run held in Linn County's scenic Pinicon Ridge Park near Central City, Iowa. The course features a challenging 1.2-mile loop with two significant climbs and multiple stairs, totaling about 215 feet of elevation gain per loop through heavily wooded terrain..