The Blazing 5k 2026

Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
Start time: 8:00 AM start (Chicago)
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Entry fee: From $40
Included with entry: Includes a shirt

Registration is open.

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Events and entry fees

Event	Distance	When	Entry fee	Cap
Elite Male 5k Race (Cutoff 16:30)	5K	Oct 4, 20268:00 AM	$40	–
Elite Female 5k Race (Cutoff 20:00)	5K	Oct 4, 20268:29 AM	$40	–
Open 5K Race (No cutoff time)	5K	Oct 4, 20268:30 AM	$40	–
Stroller 5k (No Cutoff Time)	5K	Oct 4, 20268:31 AM	$40	–

Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

$40 until Oct 4.

Online registration closes Oct 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.

How the price compares

At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in Iowa, which costs $30 right now.

What a typical finish looks like

A typical finisher at a 5K in Des Moines runs 35:26, about 11:24 a mile, based on 12 races with published results. Women typically finish in 37:06 and men in 31:23.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:13 AM, and the Elite Male 5k Race (Cutoff 16:30) starts at 8:00 AM. The start sits about 910 feet above sea level.

Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.

Start location and course

2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321

The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.

Typical race-day weather

Around October 4 the day usually runs from 55°F at dawn to 76°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 9% of days. Cold snaps dip to 45°F and hot years reach 87°F.

Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.

From the race's page

What the organizers of The Blazing 5k cover on their registration page, in brief.

Schedule and packet pickup

Race Weekend Timeline

Friday 10/2/2026. 3-6:00PM Packet Pickup @ Fleet Feet Des Moines. Saturday 10/3/2026. 9-10:00AM - Packet Pickup @ Waterworks Park. Sunday 10/4/2026 - Race Day. 6:30AM: Course Opens & Packet Pickup Starts. 7:50AM: Men's Elite Pre-Race…

Course

Race Map

5k Strava Map.

Awards

Age Group Awards

Age Group Awards. Awards provided by Fleet Feet Des Moines! 1st - $20 Gift Card. 2nd - $10 Gift Card. 3rd - $5 Gift Card. Age Group Categories. 19 and under. 20-24. 25-29. 30-34. 35-39. 40-44. 45-49. 50-54. 55-59. 60-64. 65-69. 70+.

Awards

USATF Iowa Road 5k State Championship Details

The Blazing 5k is a USATF Sanctioned event and we will be a part of the state road race championships. Must be an Iowa resident to be eligible. There are 4 divisions that will recognize the top 3 per gender: 19 and under. 20-24. 25-29…

Full details on the race's RunSignup page

Race details

Where: 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321Map
Course: Road
Start elevation: About 910 feet
Included with entry: T-Shirt
Distances: 5K
Editions: 2026 (Oct 4, 2026), 2025 (Oct 5, 2025), 2024 (Oct 6, 2024), 2023 (Oct 8, 2023), 2022 (Oct 9, 2022), 2021 (Sep 12, 2021)

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Quick answers

When is The Blazing 5k?: Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM.
How much does it cost?: Entry starts at $40 before processing fees.
When does registration close?: Online registration closes Oct 4, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Is the entry fee high for Iowa?: At $40, entry is about 33 percent above a typical 5K in Iowa, which costs $30 right now.
Do runners get a shirt or medal?: Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
What distances can I run?: 5K.
Where does it start?: 2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321.
Is there a course map?: Yes, the organizers publish the route on Strava; the link is under Start location and course.