Groundhog Grind Trail Run
Mitchellville, United States • 1 Feb 2026
Event overview
The Groundhog Grind Trail Run is scheduled for early February 2026 and is presented by the Altoona Running Club. In-person races take place at Thomas Mitchell Park in Mitchellville, Iowa. The event offers in-person and virtual options with a single loop course used for the 5k and a two-loop option for the 10k. Entry fee is listed as $50, with the price increasing after January 15, 2026.
Distances
- 5K
- 10K
Virtual options are available for both distances.
Course and rules
The course is a marked trail loop with ribbons, cones, and directional arrows. Distances are measured by GPS and may not be exact. The event uses chip timing managed by True Time Racing. Participants must stay on the marked course; runners who leave the course must return to the point where they went off-route or risk disqualification. Course marshals will be present.
The route passes features named in the park, including a red bridge, scout camp area, DeVotie Hill and its gravestone marker, Groundhog Gulch, Bone Chiller Prairie, Thomas Mitchell Pond, and Camp Creek. Weather and trail conditions in February can vary, and organizers note that snow, wind, and cold are possible. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.