The Blazing 5k
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The Blazing 5k
The Blazing 5k is a set of 5K road races held at Water Works Park in Des Moines, Iowa, at 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Shelter House. The event includes an Open 5K with no cutoff time, an Elite Female 5K with a 20:00 cutoff, and an Elite Male 5K with a 16:30 cutoff. Registration for these races opened on 2025-11-11 and closed on 2026-01-01; the listed registration fee was $15.00.
The course is USATF certified under IA21006MF and also serves as the USATF Iowa Road 5K State Championship. The 5K course begins on the back loop in Water Works Park and proceeds clockwise onto a flat loop. At the end of that loop the first racer to cross the timing mat receives a prize. The route continues onto a second flat and fast main loop, also run clockwise, with open areas that allow spectators to see much of the field. The finish is located on a long, straight section that leads directly to the finish line.
Team competitions are new for 2026. The description focuses on the event structure, course layout, certification, and race categories. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
