Which Iowa cities have the most races?
Des Moines (25), Bettendorf (15), Iowa City (12), Cedar Rapids (7) have the most upcoming races in Iowa. If you are willing to travel an hour or two, those give you the widest choice of dates and distances.
Iowa · Race calendar
2026-2027 Running Races in Iowa
Every upcoming running race in Iowa, all 129 of them. 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and marathons with dates, pricing, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
129 upcoming races · 28 with finish-time stats
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The Iowa races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
Races by City in Iowa
Holiday Races in Iowa
Iowa Races by Month
October 2026
November 2026
December 2026
June 2027
August 2027
Soonest Races in Iowa
129 total Sat, Oct 17, 2026Carl's 5K and Fall Fest Oxford, IAFrom $60Details Sat, Oct 17, 2026Haunted 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M at Bettendorf, IA (42) Bettendorf, IAFrom $30Details Sat, Oct 17, 2026Howl-O-Ween Dog Jog Charles City, IAFrom $30Details Sat, Oct 17, 2026PinkTastic Mile & 5k Muscatine, IAFrom $15Details Sun, Oct 18, 2026Run for the Schools Iowa City, IARegistration closedFrom $20Details Sun, Oct 18, 2026Pumpkin Dash Davenport, IAFrom $38Details Sun, Oct 18, 2026IMT Des Moines Marathon Des Moines, IAFrom $45Details Sun, Oct 18, 2026Move for Adoption by Iowans for Adoption Ames, IAFrom $35Details Sat, Oct 24, 2026RUNorwalk Norwalk, IAFrom $15Details Sat, Oct 24, 2026Monster Dash 5K & Lil' Monsters Fun Run West Des Moines, IAFrom $42Details Sat, Oct 24, 2026Run to the Well Knoxville, IAFrom $25Details Thu, Oct 29, 2026Haunted Hustle 5K 2026 Cedar Falls, IAFreeDetails
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 Oct 16, 2026.
Common Questions About Racing in Iowa
What race distances can I run in Iowa?
Iowa has 5K (115), 10K (58), Half Marathon (52), Marathon (11). Pick a distance to narrow the list to races you would actually enter.
When is race season in Iowa?
November is the busiest month for races in Iowa, with 36 of the 129, followed by October with 20. If you are flexible on the date, that is the quickest way to narrow things down.
Are Iowa races beginner-friendly?
Yes, for the most part. Across the 28 races in Iowa with published results, the typical median finish is around 35:13, which means half of every one of those fields came in slower than that. Recreational runners and walk-runners are the bulk of these fields, not the exception.
Are there trail races in Iowa?
Yes, 4 races around Iowa get you off the pavement: 3 are trail races, and 1 mixes road and trail.