Trail Running Calendar Iowa 2025-2026

LATR Backyard Ultra is a last-man-standing ultramarathon held at Lake Ahquabi State Park in Indianola, Iowa. Runners tackle a 4.167-mile loop on scenic Lake Ahquabi trails, returning to the starting corral at hourly intervals to begin the next lap. The mostly dirt trail winds through mature timber w..

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 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..

Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra, part of the Backyard Ultra Series, is staged in West Point, Iowa at South Park near Pollmiller Lake Campgrounds (61 5th Street). Runners tackle 4.167-mile loops consisting of paved path/road, crushed gravel, and a bit of trail, with about 175 feet of elevation per lap. T..

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..

Doggone Tired Ultra in Vinton, Iowa, offers 50K and 10-mile options on a loop course at Rodgers Park. The quiet park features wood-chip trails around a lake, with about 3.5 miles on a low-traffic gravel road; the rest traverses grassy fields and wooded, more technical sections. The event provides tw..

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 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..

Lime Creek Timber Trot is a trail running event on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Lime Creek Nature Center, 3501 Lime Creek Rd, Mason City, IA 50401. It features 5‑mile and 5K routes through restored prairie and wooded areas along the Winnebago River, offering scenic fall colors. The rocky trails req..

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 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..

Location: West Des Moines, Iowa, with the start/finish at Jordan Creek Mall. Distances: 5K, 10K, and 20K rucks along the Jordan Creek trail system. Atmosphere: Open to all; not a race but a fundraising memorial honoring military service members and first responders.Special features: active service m..

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..

Bone Dash 5K & Monster Mile Fun Run takes place at Lake McBride Trail and Timber Dome Lodge in Solon, Iowa. The event offers two races: a Bone Dash 5K and a Monster Mile one-mile run. The courses start together at Timber Dome Lodge; 5K runners head onto the paved Lake McBride Trail while the 1-mile..

Mines of Spain 100, held in Dubuque, Iowa, offers 100-mile and 100-kilometer ultramarathons on October 17-18, 2025. Set in the driftless region’s bluffs, prairies and forests above the Mississippi River valley, it delivers a true Midwest trail experience. The course is described as a ~20‑mile loop f..

Meyerhoff's Mayhem is an endurance event held at Big Woods Campground in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The format consists of 4-mile runs every 4 hours across a 48-hour period, with an optional 2-mile add-on after the last leg. The course starts at the tent area and uses a mix of paved trails and a nearby disc..

Geode Challenge Races are annual trail races at Geode State Park in Danville, Iowa, offering 5K, 12K, and 25K. The 12K runs the beach-perimeter loop in the opposite direction, while the 25K doubles the loop for a longer challenge. Terrain includes dirt trails, rocks, sand, and hills, with about 800..

Yippee-Ki-Yay is a trail-running event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, offering a 50K ultramarathon, a Half Marathon, and a 10K on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. The historic rails-to-trail course is a crushed limestone out-and-back, about 90% trail and 10% pavement, with sweeping Heartland countryside vie..

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..

Born to Run 5k in Des Moines takes place at Confluence Brewing Co., 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA. The event offers a 5K race and a 1-mile fun run on a scenic, looped trail course framed by natural beauty. It aims to be family-friendly and inclusive, welcoming walkers and dogs on leash, with p..