Lake Macbride Trail Races

Lake Macbride Trail Races

The Lake Macbride Trail Races take place at Lake Macbride State Park in Solon, IA on July 18, 2026. The event is offered in two distances:

• 50K (two loops)
• 25K (one loop)

The course starts and finishes at the Macbride Spillway parking area. The route begins on the North Loop with crushed limestone trails adjacent to the lake, proceeds to an out-and-back on the North Shore trail, then moves onto more technical North Snowmobile trails before returning to the start/finish aid station. Runners then cross the dam and Spillway to complete the South Loop, which includes single track, prairie sections, and several hills. The final aid station for the loop is at the Anglers Point lot. 50K runners complete a second loop.

There are four aid stations per loop, listed as Opie Road, Start/Finish, University Trails, and Anglers Point. Aid stations provide hydration and nutrition appropriate for trail ultramarathons.

Packet pickup is available Friday evening at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City and on race morning at the Spillway parking area; pickup for another registrant is permitted. Parking is available at the Coralville Res Boat Ramp with a short walk to the start/finish; the smaller Spillway lot is not for parking.

Registration opens February 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM and is capped at 175 combined entrants for the first year. Fees are $80 for the 50K and $55 for the 25K and include a T-shirt, commemorative bib, and aid station and start/finish supplies; T-shirts are not guaranteed for registrations after July 5. Distance changes are allowed until the Thursday before the race with fees applied for moving up; there are no refunds or bib transfers. Registrations may be deferred to the next year up until June 19 with no race swag included. Awards are given to the top male and female in each distance and to the top three male and female finishers in the age groups 29 & under, 30-45, and 46+. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.