The Equalizer
Des Moines, United States • 31-1 Oct-Nov 2026
Equalizer Endurance Run : Des Moines, IA (October 31, 2026)
The event is an ultra-distance timed run held around Gray's Lake in Des Moines, Iowa. It uses a loop course of 1.905 mile, an essentially flat, lighted asphalt path with views of downtown. The course is USATF certified #IA02004-MF.
The event offers multiple timed events:
- 6 hour event
- 12 hour event
- 24 hour event
Performances are scored using an age and sex equalizer. Overall awards in each event are determined by the total of actual distance plus the appropriate equalizer. Awards are given to the first ten places in each event based on that combined score, and one award is given for the longest actual distance in each event. The award ceremony follows immediately after race completion.
Aid support includes one aid station supplying water, sport beverage, fruit, cookies, and soup for the 12 and 24 hour events. Indoor toilets are available; showers are not. Space is available for tents, but camping the Friday night before is not permitted.
Entries are limited to 100. Entry fees are listed as $70 for the 6 hour, $80 for the 12 hour, and $95 for the 24 hour. Race shirts are ordered in mid October; late entries may not receive a shirt. Bibs are issued at the main tent on race morning and shirts are distributed at the end of each race.
Climatological averages for the date include an average high of 64.3F and average low of 42.7F, with average wind speed 10.3 mph. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.