Upcoming Running Races in Iowa

Endurance Grid lists 153 running races in Iowa, from August 2026 to July 2027 across 83 cities.

153
Races
83
Cities

The lay of the land

Running Races in Iowa

The running race calendar in Iowa is busiest in September, October, and August, with races most often in Des Moines, Bettendorf, Iowa City, and Ames.

What running races are

Organized running races are one of the most accessible entry points into endurance sports. There’s a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line. Distances run from 1-mile fun runs and 5Ks up through the 10K, half marathon, and marathon.

Most races are timed and chip-scored, with a mass or wave start and aid stations along the course. Big-city races keep the noise going the whole way; smaller races give you long stretches where it’s just you and the miles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many running races are in Iowa?+
Endurance Grid's Race Calendar lists 153 upcoming running races in Iowa across 83 cities, from August 2026 to July 2027.
What running distances are offered in Iowa?+
Running races in Iowa include 1 Mile, 10 Mile, 10K, 15K, 1K, 2 Mile / 3K, 4 Mile, 50 Mile, and more distances.
When is running season in Iowa?+
Running season in Iowa runs spring through fall. Of the upcoming running races on Endurance Grid's Race Calendar, the most are in September and October.
Which Iowa cities have running races?+
Running races in Iowa are held in Des Moines, Bettendorf, Iowa City, Ames, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Ankeny, Waterloo, and West Des Moines, plus 73 other cities.

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