
From the Organizer
The 20th Annual Elma Days 5k/10k follows the Old Roundhouse Trail and concludes just north of the water tower in Elma. There will be breakfast (included in the entry fee) and an awards presentation that will begin immediately following the race at the Memorial Hall. Join us on one of the flattest, fastest, scenic, and certified (IA 10011MF) courses in Northeast Iowa! The 10K race will start in Elma at the finish line, run out to Lylah's Marsh (3.1 miles), turn around, and run back into Elma (6.2 miles). The 5k participants will be bussed to Lylah's Marsh and run into Elma. Gatorade and water will be available at Lylah's Marsh.
Get your Groove on this year and come run in your best Groovy attire! Peace out!
Entry Fee for 5K: $20.00 Early Bird Registration, before May 31, 2026
$25.00 Registration is from June 1 to July 3, 2026
$30.00 Late Registration is from July 3 to July 10, 2026. No guarantee for a shirt and/or goody bag. $35.00 Same-Day Registration is July 11, 2026. No guarantee for a shirt and/or goody bag.
No dri-fit shirts available after July, 1st
Entry Fee for 10K: $25.00 Early Bird Registration, before May 31, 202
$30.00 Registration is from June 1 to July 3, 2026 $35.00 Late Registration is from July 3 to July 10, 2026. No guarantee for a shirt and/or goody bag.
$40.00 Same-Day Registration is July 11, 2026. No guarantee for a shirt and/or goody bag.
Early Packet Pick Up & Registration @ Memorial Hall, Friday, July 10th, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 pm.
Race Day Information, Saturday, July 11, 2026
Last Shuttle Bus leaves Elma at 7:00 am -- Race will start promptly at 7:30 am.
DRI FIT SHIRT (standard cotton shirt included in the entry fee.) Please note if you order a Dri-fit shirt, it will be $5.00 extra. If you order in a 3XL or tall size, it will be $3.00 extra.
Follow "Run Elma" on Facebook!
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
81°
Typical Low
60°
Chance of Rain
27%
Based on US Climate Normals data from New Hampton, 17 mi from the venue.
Host City
Elevation
1,266 ft
Nearest Airport
RST
Rochester International Airport · 44 mi
Major Hub
MSP
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field · 118 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 20th Annual Elma Days 5k/10k Run/Walk, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
33
Days to train
Coming Up
Jamison Meyer Memorial 5K
26 miles away
St. Lucas Fun Day 5 K Run
28 miles away
Charley Western Firecracker 5
20 miles away
Pulpit to Pulpit
31 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
20th Annual Elma Days 5k/10k Run/Walk
Jul 11, 2026