Iowa · Race calendar

Running Races in Iowa

Every upcoming running race in Iowa, all 168 of them. 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and marathons with dates, pricing, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.

168 upcoming races · 31 with finish-time stats

5K 14410K 67Half Marathon 58Marathon 14Ultra 1
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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.

Largest field1,747 finishersYMCA of the Iowa Mississippi Valley McCarthy-Bush Turkey Trotin the 5KLongest-running77th year77th Annual Pancake Day Fun Runannual tradition

Races by City in Iowa

Ames 5Ankeny 4Bettendorf 16Cedar Falls 3Cedar Rapids 4Council Bluffs 6Davenport 4Des Moines 33Iowa City 12Marshalltown 3West Des Moines 4

Soonest Races in Iowa

168 total
Fri, Sep 11, 2026Mighty Mo Run Sioux City, IA10KHalf Marathon5KMarathonFrom $40Details Sat, Sep 12, 2026Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk - Ankeny, IA Ankeny, IA5KFrom $15Details Sat, Sep 12, 2026Watermelon Days 5K Run/Walk Fayette, IA5KFrom $20Details Sat, Sep 12, 2026Wabash Trace Running Festival Shenandoah, IAMarathonHalf Marathon10K5KFrom $35Details Sat, Sep 12, 2026Medal Madness 5K, 10K, & 13.1M at Des Moines, IA (37) Des Moines, IA5K10KHalf MarathonFrom $30Register Sat, Sep 12, 2026Miles for Minds: 5k and 1 Mile Literacy Quest Mason City, IA5K1 MileFrom $35Details Sun, Sep 13, 2026Iowa Trail Run Series: Jester Park Granger, IA5K10KFrom $45Details Sun, Sep 13, 2026MVRA Benefit Classic Dubuque, IAFreeDetails Sun, Sep 13, 2026Capital Pursuit 10-Mile & 4 Mile Des Moines, IA10 Miles4 MilesFrom $50Details Sun, Sep 13, 2026Check In for 9 Spencer, IA9.88 MilesFrom $30Register Sat, Sep 19, 2026Great River Bridge Race Burlington, IA6.2K3.1K1.5 MilesFrom $30Details Sat, Sep 19, 2026Run As One For Taylor Winterset, IAFrom $150Details

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 Sep 10, 2026.

Common Questions About Racing in Iowa

Which Iowa cities have the most races?

Des Moines (33), Bettendorf (16), Iowa City (12), Council Bluffs (6) 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.

What race distances can I run in Iowa?

Iowa has 5K (144), 10K (67), Half Marathon (58), Marathon (14), Ultra (1). Pick a distance to narrow the list to races you would actually enter.

When is race season in Iowa?

October is the busiest month for races in Iowa, with 44 of the 168, followed by September with 37. 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 31 races in Iowa with published results, the typical median finish is around 35:38, 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, 7 races around Iowa get you off the pavement: 5 are trail races, and 2 mix road and trail. Surfaces are not always published, so it is worth checking a specific race before you register.