When should I sign up for a December 5K?
As early as you can. 1 of these December 5K races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 5 are open for entry right now.
Race calendar · December 2026 · Iowa
December 2026 5K Races in Iowa
Every 5K in Iowa in December 2026, all 5 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
5 5K races in December 2026
When in December
The December Race Weekends
5K races do not spread evenly across December. The busiest weekend is December 5 and December 6, with 2 of them.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The December 5K races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
December 5K Races by City
Soonest 5K Races in December
5 total Sat, Dec 5, 2026Holiday 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Iowa City, IA (49) Iowa City, IAFrom $30Register Sat, Dec 5, 2026Yeti Endurance 5K, 10K, & 15K Des Moines, IAFrom $25Details Sat, Dec 12, 2026Holiday 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Des Moines, IA (50) Des Moines, IAFrom $30Register Sat, Dec 19, 2026Holiday 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Bettendorf, IA (51) Bettendorf, IAFrom $30Details Sun, Dec 20, 2026Candy Cane Course - Des Moines Altoona, IAFrom $27Details
Common Questions About Running a December 5K in Iowa
How much does a December 5K cost to enter?
The typical entry is $30, with paid entries running from $25 up to $30. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.
5K Races in Other Months
November and January sit either side of December, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.