Pleasant Creek Trail Run

Pleasant Creek Trail Run : Palo, Iowa

The 12th annual Pleasant Creek Trail Run is organized by the Eastern Iowa Trail Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and takes place at Pleasant Creek County Park in Palo, Iowa on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The event offers three distances:

• 45K
• 30K
• 15K

The course uses Pleasant Creek’s outer loop of the equestrian trail; the loop measures 15K. All distances run clockwise this year and each loop returns to the same point where participants enter the trail to return to the start/finish area. The surface is primarily dirt and grass with small water crossings possible. The route includes rolling hills. Strollers and pets are not allowed on the course.

Parking is directed to the Pleasant Creek Beach grass field; participants are asked not to park on grass in other areas. A post-race cookout and beverages are planned after the event.

Awards and prizes include top overall female and male awards for each distance, age-group awards for the top three female and male finishers in the groups 29 & under, 30-45, and 46+ (overall winners are not eligible for age-group awards), and cash payouts to top overall winners: 45K $150, 30K $75, 15K $50. Record-breaking payouts are offered for course records.

Timing services are provided by OnlineRaceResults. Online registration closes Thursday, September 10 at 5:00 PM; packet pickup on Friday night is the final chance to register. There is no day-of registration. Packet pickup is Friday, September 11, 5–7 PM at SOKO Outfitters (14 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids). Race day packet pickup and timing chip pickup are available at the start/finish area prior to the event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.