Nordic Fest Elveløpet
Decorah, United States • 25 Jul 2026
Event Overview
The Nordic Fest Elveløpet is a recurring athletic event held in Decorah, Iowa, during the annual three-day Nordic Fest summer festival. Established in 1967, the festival celebrates the community and the Scandinavian heritage of the region. The races take place on Saturday morning, providing a route that follows the Upper Iowa River and the surrounding natural landscape.
Distance Options
Participants can choose from several event categories based on distance and age:
- 5k Run/walk for participants aged 13 and under.
- 5k Run/walk for general participants.
- 15k Run on a course featuring hills and trails.
Course Details
Known as the "river run," the course utilizes the network of parks and trails along the Upper Iowa River. The 15k distance specifically traverses trails and hilly terrain. Due to the schedule of festival activities, the 15k event has a two-hour time limit. Timing services and route support are not provided once this time limit has expired.
Participation Information
The event is organized by a board of volunteers as part of a wider family-oriented festival. While the standard registration for the youth 5k does not include a souvenir garment, an option to add a T-shirt is available during the registration process. The event serves as a highlight of the local landscape and the broader Nordic Fest weekend. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.