5K, 10K, Half & Full Marathons
-
5k races
Name City Date Website Spring 2018 Girls on the Run 5k Girls on the Run is a terrific, nationwide non-profit that “inspires girls to to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.” In May, the organization puts on a 5k to celebrate the work done by program participants. It’s a big deal for those who have gone through the program. However, people who are not part of the program can participate as well. It is a family-friendly event. The course takes place on the College Community School District Campus and there are spectators to cheer on runners. Registration is $20 and participants can sign up to be running buddies, or run together as a team.see more detailsCedar Rapids 5 May 2018 Spring 2018 Girls on the Run 5k The Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Relay The Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Relay, Des Moines, 05/06/18 As the name implies, The Des Moines Women’s 5K is a female-only race. It starts at Jasper Winery at runners wind through the fields and Water Works Park. The swag is great and includes a half zip top, engraved wine glass, and medal. In addition, there is wine and dinner at the finish line. The price isn’t bad considering the goodies at $30 for early registration. The course features music and cheer squads, so it’s anything but boring. The event celebrates women empowerment and is good excuse to hang with friends. For those looking for a longer distance, a half marathon and relay are additional options.see more detailsDes Moines 6 May 2018 The Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Relay Driftless Discovery Trail Run The Driftless Discovery Trail Run has several distance options including a 5k, 10k, and 50k. The 5k takes place at Van Peenen Memorial Park and 100% takes place on a single track trail. The scenery is green and grassy. There are campgrounds at the park and participants can make a weekend getaway out of the run by staying overnight. The entry fee is $30 and includes a t-shirt. In addition, there is a free one mile run, which is great for children. Proceeds from the race go to the Northeast Iowa Montessori School, Decorah Human Powered Trails, and Decorah Park.see more detailsDecorah 2 June 2018 Driftless Discovery Trail Run Clinton Half Marathon, 10k and 5k 2018 will be the 8th year for The Clinton 5k, which is organized by the YWCA, and has larger sponsors. The race is well attended and popular in the area. The race starts on Riverfront Drive and goes along Pershing Drive. It is a flat and fast course, and many note setting personal records on it. In addition, it has beautiful views of the Mississippi River. Registration is $35 and includes a good looking t-shirt. Awards are given for the top finishers and there is serious competition.see more detailsClinton 9 September 2018 Clinton Half Marathon, 10k and 5k -
10k races
Name City Date Website Driftless Discovery Trail Run The Driftless Discovery Trail Run has several distance options including a 5k, 10k, and 50k. The 10k takes place at Van Peenen Memorial Park and 100% takes place on a single track trail. The scenery is green and grassy. There are campgrounds at the park and participants can make a weekend getaway out of the run by staying overnight. The entry fee is $30 and includes a t-shirt. In addition, there is a free one mile run, which is great for children. Proceeds from the race go to the Northeast Iowa Montessori School, Decorah Human Powered Trails, and Decorah Park.see more detailsDecorah 2 June 2018 Driftless Discovery Trail Run Clinton Half Marathon, 10k and 5k 2018 will be the 8th year for The Clinton 10k, which is organized by the YWCA, and has larger sponsors. The race is well attended and popular in the area. The race starts on Riverfront Drive, goes around downtown, and through neighborhoods. In addition, it has beautiful views of the Mississippi River. There are some serious hills on the course, so personal records will be difficult to achieve. Registration is $45 and includes a good looking t-shirt. Awards are given for the top finishers and there is serious competition.see more detailsClinton 9 September 2018 Clinton Half Marathon, 10k and 5k Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon and 10k The Hillbilly Hike 10k has all types of scenery. Runners will pass, woodlands, farmlands, and the prairie. Participants may also see owls, foxes, and wild turkeys on their journey. While the beginning of the race takes place on a road, the rest of the run is on the paved Summerset trail. Last year, 700 people participated in the race, which is strong considering the small community. Early registration is $30 and includes a t-shirt and medal for the first 600 to enter the race. Awards are given to the top finishers. The race is organized by a local church and supports the congregation.see more detailsCarlisle 3 November 2018 Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon and 10k -
Half marathons
Name City Date Website The Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Relay As the name implies, The Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon is a female-only race. It starts at Jasper Winery at runners wind through downtown, Principal Park, and Gray’s Lake Park. The swag is great and includes a half zip top, engraved wine glass, and medal. In addition, there is wine and dinner at the finish line. The price isn’t bad considering the goodies at $55 for early registration. The course features music and cheer squads, so it’s anything but boring. The event celebrates women empowerment and is good excuse to hang with friends. For those looking for a shorter distance, a 5k and relay are additional options.see more detailsDes Moines 6 May 2018 The Des Moines Women’s Half Marathon, 5K, and Team Relay Clinton Half Marathon, 10k and 5k 2018 will be the 8th year for The Clinton Half Marathon, which is organized by the YWCA, and has major sponsors. The race is well attended and popular in the area. The race starts on Riverfront Drive, goes around downtown, through neighborhoods, and around Eagle Point Park. In addition, it has beautiful views of the Mississippi River. There are some serious hills on the course, so personal records will be difficult to achieve. Registration is $60 and includes a good looking t-shirt. Awards are given for the top finishers and there is serious competition.see more detailsClinton 9 September 2018 Clinton Half Marathon, 10k and 5k Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon The Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon has all types of scenery. Runners will pass, woodlands, farmlands, and the prairie. Participants may also see owls, foxes, and wild turkeys on their journey. While the beginning of the race takes place on a road, the rest of the run is on the paved Summerset trail. Last year, 700 people participated in the race, including the 10k, which is strong considering the small community. Early registration is $45 and includes a t-shirt and medal for the first 600 to enter the race. Awards are given to the top finishers. The race is organized by a local church and supports the congregation.see more detailsCarlisle 3 November 2018 Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon Park to Park Half Marathon The Park to Park Half Marathon is one fast race! It is flat and shaded, so many experience a personal record on the course. It starts at George Wyth State Park,winds through the campground, goes along Brinker Lake, and crosses the Cedar River. The course is well supported, but there are not many spectators. There is a party at the finish line, which includes pizza, BBQ, dessert, and beer. The registration fee is $50 and includes a t-shirt if signed up by 08/21/18. Awards are given to the top finishers. The event is organized by Trek Man Racing and is well coordinated.see more detailsWaterloo 8 September 2018 Park to Park Half Marathon -
Marathons
Name City Date Website IMT Des Moines Marathon The IMT Des Moines Marathon is a well attended race in Iowa with more than 8,000 participants.It winds through neighborhoods and parks, and ends at Drake University. With the exception of a couple minor hills, the course is relatively flat. Past participants note the race is well organized and throughout the race there are spectators to cheer on the runners. Registration is $84 and includes a good-looking quarter-zip pullover. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Cancer Connection. A relay and shorter distance options are available. Given the number or participants, lodging and transportation options are provided through the race organizers.see more detailsDes Moines 21 October 2018 IMT Des Moines Marathon Wabash Trace Nature Marathon 2018 will be the 7th year of the Wabash Trace Nature Marathon. Wabash Trace is a cool, old, converted railroad that is now used for recreation. The area is both scenic and hilly, and wildlife is often seen on the course. Runners will go through three towns, Malvern, Imogene, and Shenandoah. The course is on paved trails with little to no asphalt, so it is easy on the knees. Many have noted personal records and it is a Boston Qualifier. Early entry is $70 and includes a technical t-shirt and medal. A relay and shorter distance options are available.see more detailsShenandoah 8 September 2018 Wabash Trace Nature Marathon Run4Troops Marathon The Run4Troops Marathon is all about showing support for those who serve in the military. 2018 will be the 10th year of the run and it is a popular race in the state with strong sponsors. It starts in Dyersville and ends in Dubuque. It takes place on a paved trail made of crushed limestone, and it is flat and shady. Many who have run it in the past have noted the beautiful scenery. The entry fee is $85. There is a party at the finish line with food and music. A relay and shorter distance options are available.see more detailsDyersville 23 June 2018 Run4Troops Marathon Heartland Series Day 5 The Heartland Series is made up of seven back-to-back marathons. The fifth day of the series takes place in Clinton, Iowa on the Discovery Trail. The course is paved and flat. Participants have to run the trail 12 times to make a full marathon. Doing all marathons is not required, and participating in just a single race is allowed. However, those that run all seven receive a special medal and serious bragging rights. There is an aid station at the completion of each loop with many choices for drinks and snacks. The entry fee is very reasonable at $100.see more detailsClinton 7 June 2018 Heartland Series
