You’re standing on top of the Saylorville Dam. It’s 7:00 AM. The wind is whipping across the water, and honestly, it’s probably a lot colder than you expected for late May. You look south, and way off on the horizon—like, legitimately tiny—you see the skyline of Des Moines.
That’s where you’re going. 13.1 miles.
Most people think Iowa is just one giant, flat cornfield where the only thing to look at is a tractor. If you’ve never run half marathons in Iowa, you probably assume the courses are boring, pancake-flat, and smell like manure. Well, some parts do. But you’re also going to find limestone bluffs, massive river crossings, and some of the most aggressive crowd support in the Midwest.
The Myth of the Flat Iowa Course
Let's address the elephant in the room. Iowa isn't flat. Okay, parts of it are. If you run the Step Up Half Marathon in Storm Lake, yeah, you’re basically hugging the shoreline of the water the whole time. It’s fast. It’s paved. It’s where people go to snag a Personal Record (PR) because the elevation change is almost nonexistent.
But then you have the Driftless Half Marathon up in Lansing.
Northeast Iowa is a different world. It’s part of the Paleozoic Plateau—an area the glaciers missed. That means hills. Real ones. The Driftless course features a legendary incline around the midway point that pitches up roughly 400 feet. You’re running through Allamakee County, looking at tall bluffs and deep river valleys that look more like West Virginia than the "Field of Dreams."
If you go into an Iowa half marathon expecting a zero-percent grade, the Driftless will break your spirit by mile eight.
Why the Dam to DSM is Basically a State Holiday
If there is one race that defines the culture of running in this state, it’s the EMC Dam to DSM. It’s the successor to the old "Dam to Dam" race that ran for decades. On May 30, 2026, thousands of people will pile into buses at the crack of dawn to be dropped off at the Saylorville Dam.
It’s a point-to-point race. Those are rare. Usually, you start and end in the same spot, but not here. You start in the middle of nature and finish in the heart of the city.
The first half of the race is rural. You're running past fields and through the small-town vibes of Polk City. But then, something weird happens. As you hit the Northside neighborhoods of Des Moines, the "cheer stations" turn into full-blown yard parties. We’re talking about people on their front porches with bloody marys, music blasting, and kids handing out orange slices like their lives depend on it.
The finish line at Cowles Commons is a literal party. Beer, music, and the kind of communal exhaustion that only comes from running 13 miles before most people have finished their first cup of coffee.
The Heavy Hitters You Need to Know
If you're planning your 2026 calendar, these are the ones that actually matter:
- Drake Road Races (April 18, 2026): This is the "Blue Oval" experience. You finish inside Drake Stadium on the famous blue track. It’s iconic. It’s also usually the first weekend where the weather is actually nice, so everyone is in a good mood.
- IMT Des Moines Marathon / Half (October 18, 2026): This is the big one. It’s huge. It’s got all the bells and whistles—the expo, the fancy medals, the massive crowds. If you want the "big city" race feel, this is it.
- Quad Cities Half Marathon (September 27, 2026): You’re technically bouncing between Iowa and Illinois. You cross the Mississippi River. The views are incredible, but the wind on the bridges can be a total nightmare if it’s coming from the north.
- Des Moines St. Paddy's Day Half (March 14, 2026): Look, it’s March in Iowa. It might be 60 degrees. It might be 2 degrees with a blizzard. This race is for the people who don't care about comfort. They give you a finisher pint glass at the end. You'll probably need it.
The Weird Details Nobody Tells You
Most runners care about the "swag." In Iowa, we do swag a little differently.
For example, at the Des Moines Marathon, instead of just another cheap polyester t-shirt you'll never wear again, they often give out high-quality fleeces or puffy vests. People legit wear these things to grocery stores for the next five years. It’s a status symbol in the Des Moines suburbs.
Then there’s the food. At the River’s Edge Trail Half Marathon in Eldora, they don't just give you a dry bagel and a bruised banana. The local Kiwanis Club cooks a full breakfast of pancakes and sausage. You finish a half marathon, you sit in a park, and you eat hot cakes. It’s peak Iowa.
Also, be prepared for the bacon. At the big Des Moines races, there is almost always an "unofficial" bacon station around mile 9 or 10. Some random hero will be standing there with a plate of cooked bacon. It sounds disgusting to eat greasy meat while your heart rate is 165, but in the moment? It’s basically magic.
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How to Actually Prepare for the Humidity
If you're coming from out of state to run half marathons in Iowa during May, June, or August, you are in for a rude awakening. It's not just the heat; it's the humidity.
Iowa sits between two major rivers, and the moisture from the cornfields (yes, "corn sweat" is a real thing) makes the air feel like a warm, wet blanket. By 8:30 AM, you’ll be soaked. Not just from sweat, but from the air itself.
You've gotta hydrate days in advance. Honestly, if you start drinking extra water the day before the race, you’re already too late. Start three days out. And don't skip the salt. Your body is going to dump electrolytes like a leaky bucket in that humidity.
The Financial Side of the Finish Line
Running isn't cheap anymore. Registration for the Dam to DSM can run you nearly $100 if you wait until the last minute. The Step Up Half in Storm Lake is a bit more budget-friendly, often staying around $60 if you jump on the early bird pricing.
Most of these races are non-profits or support local causes. The River’s Edge race in Eldora puts its proceeds directly back into maintaining the trail system. So, while your wallet might feel a little lighter, you’re basically paying for the ground you’re running on.
Actionable Steps for Your Iowa Race Season
Stop thinking about it and actually get on the road. Here is how you handle it:
- Pick your terrain first. If you want a PR, go to Storm Lake or the St. Paddy's Day race in Des Moines. If you want scenery and a challenge, head to Lansing for the Driftless.
- Stalk the weather. Iowa weather is chaotic. Check the forecast 10 days out, but don't believe it until 10 minutes before the gun goes off.
- Book the hotel early. For the Des Moines Marathon or Dam to DSM, downtown hotels fill up fast. If you’re not within walking distance of the start/finish, you’re going to be fighting for parking at 5:30 AM, and nobody wants that.
- Train for the "rollers." Even the "flat" courses usually have rolling hills. Find a bridge or a river embankment and run repeats. Your quads will thank you at mile 11.
Iowa's running scene isn't about elite athletes chasing world records. It’s about the person in the middle of the pack who just wants to finish so they can have a beer and a pancake. It’s gritty, it’s humid, and it’s surprisingly beautiful if you’re willing to look past the corn.