When in October are most Marathon races held?
The busiest weekend in Iowa is October 17 and October 18, with 3 Marathon races on those two days, and the single busiest day is Sunday, October 18 with 2. Every one of them is on a Saturday or a Sunday.
Race calendar · October 2026 · Iowa
October 2026 Marathon Races in Iowa
Every Marathon in Iowa in October 2026, all 5 of them, sorted by date. Dates, entry fees, finish-time stats from past results, and start-line maps.
5 Marathon races in October 2026
When in October
The October Race Weekends
Marathon races do not spread evenly across October. The busiest weekend is October 17 and October 18, with 3 of them.
By the numbers
The Biggest and Longest-Running
The October Marathon races that stand out on the numbers: the biggest field, and the longest unbroken run of editions.
October Marathon Races by City
Soonest Marathon Races in October
5 total Sat, Oct 10, 2026Haunted 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M at Des Moines, IA (41) Des Moines, IAFrom $30Register Sat, Oct 17, 2026Haunted 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M at Bettendorf, IA (42) Bettendorf, IAFrom $30Details Sun, Oct 18, 2026IMT Des Moines Marathon Des Moines, IAFrom $43Details Sun, Oct 18, 2026IMT Des Moines Marathon - Early Bird Des Moines, IARegistration closedFrom $20View race Sat, Oct 31, 2026Medal Madness 5K, 10K, 13.1M & 26.2M Bettendorf, IAFrom $30Register
Common Questions About Running an October Marathon in Iowa
When should I sign up for an October Marathon?
As early as you can. 1 of these October Marathon races already have a price increase on the calendar, and 4 are open for entry right now. Another 1 have published an opening date and have not opened yet.
How much does an October Marathon cost to enter?
The typical entry is $30, with paid entries running from $20 up to $43. Entry fees climb as race day gets closer, so the same race is usually cheapest the week it opens.
Marathon Races in Other Months
September and November sit either side of October, which is where most people look next when a date does not fit.