Trail Running calendar near Palo 2025-2026

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 4sta Hike is an annual trail running event held at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve near Andalusia, Illinois, along the Mississippi River. Participants run a challenging 1-mile loop featuring smooth single track, rocks, roots, downed trees, and steep gradients up to 48%. The course offers two option..

Doggone Tired Ultra is a trail ultramarathon in Rodgers Park, Vinton, Iowa, offering 50K and 10-mile options. The course winds through wood-chip trails around a lake and campground, with roughly 3.5 miles of low-traffic gravel and grassy/wooded sections that include some technical terrain. Runners c..

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 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 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..

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..

The Miner 49er is an endurance running event held in the scenic Mines of Spain near Dubuque, Iowa. It features two race distances: a 25K and a 50K, with the 50K being a double loop of the 25K course. Runners experience approximately 2,200 feet of elevation gain on the 25K and 4,400 feet on the 50K...

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..

The Critter is an endurance running event in Waverly, Iowa, at the Ingawanis Adventure Base. It offers multiple timed options for ultrarunners: 4-hour, 8-hour, and 12-hour formats. While the specific course details aren’t listed, the venue suggests a trail-focused, rugged setting typical of ultramar..

Galena Sky Trail Race is held at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, Illinois. It features two timed loop formats: an 8-hour loop and a 4-hour loop on the resort’s trails that climb the same hills skied in winter, offering views of the Mississippi River and the Iowa–Wisconsin shores. The long loop i..