Trail Running Calendar Iowa 2025-2026

Tackle rugged trails and creek crossings at Swiss Valley Nature Preserve with 50K, 25K, or a 5.2 mile loop. Scenic climbs, free campground showers and camping, and proceeds benefit Friends of Dubuque County Conservation.

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..

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 Winneb..

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 pi..

Event details The Backbone Trail Run takes place on 2025-10-11 in Backbone State Park, Dundee, IA. The event is organized by Backbone Lake Friends / Backbone Friends Group. Race categories and distances listed on the event page include: 4...

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 mem..

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 runn..

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 tr..

Event format Meyerhoff's Mayhem is a 48-hour endurance event featuring repeated short legs. Participants complete 4 miles every four hours for the 48-hour period, with an optional 2-mile add-on after the final leg. 4 miles repeated every 4..

Hit scenic, rugged trails at Geode State Park near Danville, IA on Oct 18, 2025, with 5K, 12K and 25K courses featuring single track, rock, sand and creek crossings. All finishers get a geode and winners earn handmade wood and geode plaques..

Run the scenic Wabash Trace in Council Bluffs at Yippee Ki Yay Races with 50K, half marathon and 10K options. Limited field, finisher hoodie, medals and on course aid make this a fun fall challenge.

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, allo..

Event Woodpecker Six is a six hour endurance run organized by LoKeyz Trail Runners. It takes place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Central City, Iowa (4732 Horseshoe Falls Rd). The format asks participants to complete as many loops of the..

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-friendl..

Event The Miner 49er endurance runs take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Dubuque, Iowa at the Mines of Spain area (8991 Bellevue Heights Rd). Distances offered: 25K 50K Registration closes on October 31, 2025. Race registration fe..

Iowa Trail Run Series: Waubonsie (Nov 9, 2025) The Waubonsie event takes place at Waubonsie State Park, 2585 Waubonsie Park Rd, Hamburg, IA 51640. The race uses a three-mile loop through the Loess Hills. One format is a ten-hour Enduro that..

Test your limits at the Stuffed Turkey Endurance Races in Jester Park, Granger, Iowa on November 22 with trail options from 10 miles to a 100 mile ultra. Rolling hills, scenic singletrack, and full aid stations make for a memorable challeng..

Turkey Trails- Des Moines, organized by Bodies Race Company, takes place at Gray’s Lake Park in Des Moines, IA 50315 (2101 Fleur Dr). The Thanksgiving-themed event offers 1 mile, 5k, 10k, Kids Dash, Virtual Race, and a Volunteer-then-Run op..

Event overview The Hitchcock Experience takes place at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek, Iowa, on December 6-7, 2025. The event includes multiple endurance distances on natural-surface trails. The 50 Miler is noted to have a night sta..

Event details The Critter is set for Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 2482 Grand Ave, Waverly, IA, held at Ingawanis Adventure Base. Registration closes on December 28. Distances and options: 12-hour 8-hour 4-hour 10K (single loop) Timed..