Which Iowa cities have the most races?
Des Moines (26), Bettendorf (7), Iowa City (6), Waterloo (4) 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
Running Races in Iowa
Every upcoming running race in Iowa, all 142 of them. 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and marathons with dates, pricing, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
142 upcoming races · 21 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
Soonest Races in Iowa
142 total Sat, Aug 1, 2026ShamRock N Run Waterloo, IAFrom $35Details Sat, Aug 1, 2026Color Blaze 5k Run/Walk Le Claire, IAFrom $30Details Sat, Aug 1, 2026Wapsi Wiggle - A 5K & Half Marathon Riceville, IAFrom $25Details Sat, Aug 1, 2026Run In The Sun 2026 Oskaloosa, IAFrom $25Details Sat, Aug 1, 20262026 Crush Cancer Glow Walk/Run Creston, IAFrom $25Details Sat, Aug 1, 2026Single Speed Beer Mile- Des Moines Des Moines, IAFrom $20Register Sat, Aug 1, 2026The Sunglasses Run 5K Des Moines, IAFrom $45Details Sat, Aug 1, 2026Alburnett Benefit Day Road Race Alburnett, IAFrom $35Register Mon, Aug 3, 2026The 51(5K) Des Moines, IAFreeRegister Thu, Aug 6, 2026Marcus Trail Glow Run Marcus, IAFrom $10Register Fri, Aug 7, 2026Grady's Superhero Run Dorchester, IAFrom $35Details Sat, Aug 8, 2026Adel Sweet Corn Festival 5K Run/Walk Adel, IAFrom $37Details
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 Jul 27, 2026.
Common Questions About Racing in Iowa
What race distances can I run in Iowa?
Iowa has 5K (117), 10K (43), Half Marathon (39), Marathon (12), Ultra (1). Pick a distance to narrow the list to races you would actually enter.
When is race season in Iowa?
September is the busiest month for races in Iowa, with 37 of the 142, followed by August with 33. 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 21 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.