Trail Running calendar near Waterloo 2025-2026

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 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...

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 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..

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..

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..

The Friends of Yellow River State Forest Trail Run/Walk is an annual event held in Harpers Ferry, Iowa, featuring multiple race distances including a family-friendly, fast, and flat 5K on Friday evening, followed by a 5K, 10K, and half marathon on Saturday. The races take place on existing trails wi..