IronHorse - Riceville, IA
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Event Overview
The IronHorse event offers four USATF-sanctioned races: a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. The Full Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K are USATF-certified. The Full Marathon is a Boston Qualifier.
Distances
- Full Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 10K
- 5K
Course Details
The races take place on the paved and concrete Northern Branch of the Wapsi-Great Western Line (WGWL) Trail, a Rails-to-Trails conversion. The Iowa WGWL Trail connects to Minnesota's Shooting Star Trail, making it an official interstate trail.
The Full Marathon course is point-to-point, starting at the Shooting Star Trailhead in LeRoy, Minnesota. It travels through winding woodlands on a railroad-level grade and includes a four-mile section on crushed rock. The Half Marathon is also a point-to-point course, starting at the Minnesota/Iowa state line. The 10K and 5K are out-and-back courses on the paved trail, starting at the WGWL Trailhead in Riceville, Iowa. All races finish at the WGWL Trailhead Welcome Center (110 Main Street) in Riceville.
The course is described as flat with railroad-level grades. The scenery includes rural landscapes, woodlands, farmland, a wind turbine farm, an oak savanna, and a wetland boardwalk.
Logistics
For the Full and Half Marathon, shuttle service is available to transport participants to the starting points. Aid stations and portable toilets are located along the routes. The event has an infectious disease policy stating that unwell individuals should not attend.
Awards
Awards are given to the first three male and female finishers in each race. All finishers of the Full and Half Marathon receive a finisher's award, which is described as not being a typical medal. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
