Trail Running Calendar Iowa 2025-2026

The Iowa Trail Run Series: A Midsummer Night's Run takes place at McFarland Park near Ames, Iowa. This event offers runners the choice of a 5K or 10K trail run featuring a mix of single track trails, prairie, and gravel paths. Set during a beautiful Iowa summer evening, participants experience runni..

The House of Hope Trail Blaze is a trail running event held at George Wyth State Park in Waterloo, Iowa. Scheduled for July 12, 2025, the race features scenic hard trails and offers three race options: a Team 10K relay with five participants, an Individual 10K, and an Individual 5K. The event provid..

The Lake Macbride Trail Races, held in Solon, Iowa, offer challenging 50K and 25K trail runs around Lake Macbride State Park, Iowa's largest state park. The course features one or two loops starting and finishing at the Macbride Spillway parking area. Runners experience a mix of crushed limestone tr..

Whiterock Ultra is a trail running event held at the scenic Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids, Iowa, featuring 50K and 50-mile distances. The race takes place on July 26, 2025, within a 5,500-acre nonprofit land trust known for its 40 miles of trails along the Middle Raccoon River Valley. The 50K..

The Moorehead Park Trail Mazathon is a challenging 26.2-mile marathon held in Ida Grove, Iowa, featuring single-track dirt and mowed meadow trails through the rolling hills of Moorehead Park. The course consists of three 8.8-mile loops, with options to run one loop (1/3 Mazathon), two loops (2/3 Maz..

The Trail of the Dragon 50 Mile Run, held in Ida Grove, Iowa at Moorehead Park, offers challenging trail running through rolling hills and historic sites. The course features 10-mile loops on single-track dirt and mowed meadows, with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet per loop. Runners can choose..

The Mines of Spain Trail Races, held at the EB Lyons Nature Center in Dubuque, Iowa, offer 4-mile, 7-mile, and half marathon trail runs through scenic and challenging terrain. Participants experience diverse trails including dirt single and double tracks, prairie grass paths, rocky technical section..

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 experien..

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 supports loc..

ScoCo50 is a trail running event held at scenic 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 loop of about 10 miles with approximately 950 feet of elevation gain per loop, winding through wooded and prairie..

The Booneville Backroads Ultra, held in Booneville, Iowa, offers challenging trail races including 100-mile, 100K, 50K, and 10K distances. The course features the scenic Bridges of Madison County and rural Iowa countryside, with significant elevation gain and rolling hills, promising a tough but rew..

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 equestrian trail loop, primarily on dirt and grass trails with rolling hills and occasional small water crossings. All races..

The Broken Anvil Backyard Ultra is a challenging endurance running event held in West Point, Iowa, at South Park and Pollmiller Lake Campgrounds. Participants run repetitive 4.167-mile loops on a mixed-surface course featuring paved bike paths, roads, crushed gravel, and trails, with minimal elevati..

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

The Doggone Tired Ultra is a trail running event held at Rodgers Park in Vinton, Iowa, featuring a 50K ultra and a 10-mile race. The course consists of a scenic 10-mile loop around the lake and campground areas, including wood chip trails, grassy fields, wooded sections, and about 3.5 miles on low-t..

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 course offers a unique experience with natural surroundings..

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 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 Iowa Trail Run Series: Sugar Bottom Fall takes place in Solon, Iowa, offering runners a scenic trail running experience with options of a 5K, 10K, and half marathon. This fall edition allows participants to challenge their times from the spring race and earn bonus swag. The event supports local..

The Backbone Trail Run takes place in Dundee, Iowa, within the scenic Backbone State Park. This event offers two race distances: a moderate 4.3-mile course and a more challenging 10K Lake Loop. Participants enjoy a well-organized trail run featuring a mix of pavement and natural trails, providing be..