When in May are most 5K races held?
The busiest weekend in Iowa is May 1 and May 2, with 4 of them, 3 of those on Saturday, May 1. Another 2 fall on a weekday, which is worth knowing if you are traveling for one.
Race calendar · May 2027 · Iowa
5K Races in Iowa in May 2027
Every 5K in Iowa in May 2027, all 11 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
What the field actually runs
May 5K Races, By the Numbers
33:44Median finish time
20:22Median winning time
23Median field size
3May 5K races with published results
How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.
When in May
The May Race Weekends
5K races are not spread evenly across May. Here is how the calendar actually falls, weekend by weekend, which is the part worth knowing before you book a trip or plan a taper around one.
By the numbers
The Biggest Field
The largest field of any May 5K in Iowa, from the most recent published results.
Iowa 5K Races by City in May
All 5K Runs in Iowa in May
11 total Sat, May 1, 2027IronHorse - USATF Certified & Sanctioned Riceville, IAFrom $15Details Sat, May 1, 2027Des Moines Women's Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Des Moines, IAFrom $50Details Sat, May 1, 2027Luau 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Iowa City, IA (18) Iowa City, IAFrom $30Register Sun, May 2, 2027Red Shoe Run & Walk 5K Iowa City, IARegistration opens Dec 1From $40Details Fri, May 7, 2027Friends of Yellow River State Forest Trail Run Harpers Ferry, IAFrom $35Details Sat, May 8, 2027Medal Madness 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Des Moines, IA (19) Des Moines, IAFrom $30Register Sat, May 15, 2027Stars Stripes Spirit 5K Des Moines, IAFrom $40Details Sat, May 15, 2027Pirate 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Bettendorf, IA (20) Bettendorf, IAFrom $30Details Fri, May 28, 2027St. Joseph Fun Days 5K Race and Kids Fun Run Marion, IARegistration opens Feb 22, 2027From $30Details Sat, May 29, 2027Medal Madness 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Bettendorf, IA (22) Bettendorf, IAFrom $30Details Sun, May 30, 2027Hometown Half Marathon/5K/10K - Des Moines Des Moines, IAFrom $30Details
Common Questions About Running a May 5K in Iowa
What is a good 5K time?
Across the 3 of these May 5K races with published results from past editions, the median finisher ran 33:44, and the median winning time was 20:22. So anything under 33:44 puts you in the faster half of a typical field. That is the middle of these RunSignup fields, walkers and charity entrants included, not a national average.
How big is a typical May 5K field?
The median one finished 23 runners, across the 3 of these May 5K races with published results from past editions. Most are far smaller than the big-city events people picture, which means less crowding at the start and a friendlier field, with a last recorded finisher at 51:28.
Are there trail 5K races in Iowa in May?
Yes, 2 races around Iowa get you off the pavement: 1 is a trail race, and 1 mixes road and trail.