Geode Challenge Races
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Geode Challenge Races : Danville, IA : October 17, 2026
The Geode Challenge Races take place at Geode State Park in Danville, Iowa. The event offers trail distances and is held to raise funds for Friends of Geode, with sponsorship support from the Danville Lions Club. Online registration closes on Tue, Oct 13, 2026; in-person race morning registration is available for cash or check with a $5 additional fee. Packet pick-up is offered the day before and race morning.
Distances:
- 25K double loop, about 15.5 miles
- 12K single perimeter loop, about 7.75 miles
- 5K out-and-back, about 3.1 miles
The course uses marked trails with flags, ribbons, and signs. Terrain includes dirt single track, wide track, rock sections, gravel, sand, mowed grass, road sections, hills, a creek crossing, and about 800 feet of vertical gain on the perimeter loop; the 25K repeats that loop. Water is available at the start/finish area for finishers and for 25K participants to refill. Shelters 1 and 4 will provide water and light snacks.
All finishers receive a geode. Handmade wooden plaques with mounted geodes are awarded to first-place male and female in each distance. A TOP DOG plaque is awarded to the first-place overall finisher running with a dog in each distance; runners with dogs are not eligible for the standard first-place male/female plaque and are not eligible for cash prizes. A conditional $100 prize is available to single winners who beat specified course records for male and female; if records are not beaten, no prize is awarded. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
