The Driftless Half Marathon 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Start time
- 7:30 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Lansing, Iowa
- Entry fee
- From $40
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10k+ | Other | Oct 10, 20267:30 AM | $70 | – |
| Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Oct 10, 20267:30 AM | $100 | – |
| Half Marathon Relay | Relay | Oct 10, 20267:30 AM | $140 | – |
| 5k | 5K | Oct 10, 20268:00 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
- 10k+: $70 until Oct 10.
- Half Marathon: $100 until Oct 10.
- Half Marathon Relay: $140 until Oct 8.
- 5k: $40 until Oct 10.
Online registration closes Oct 10, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $100, entry is about 54 percent above a typical half marathon in Iowa, which costs $65 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a half marathon in Iowa runs 2:11:35, about 10:02 a mile, based on 11 races with published results. Women typically finish in 2:14:50 and men in 2:02:13.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:11 AM, and the 10k+ starts at 7:30 AM. The start sits about 990 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
P.O. Box 193, Lansing, IA 52151
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 10 the day usually runs from 48°F at dawn to 65°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 16% of days. Cold snaps dip to 38°F and hot years reach 76°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.
Race details
- Where
- P.O. Box 193, Lansing, IA 52151Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 990 feet
- Included with entry
- Long Sleeve Tech Shirt; Long sleeve tech shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 5K, Half Marathon, Relay, Other
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 10, 2026), 2025 (Oct 11, 2025), 2024 (Oct 12, 2024), 2023 (Oct 14, 2023), 2022 (Oct 8, 2022), 2021 (Oct 9, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is The Driftless Half Marathon?
- Saturday, October 10, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $40 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 10, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Iowa?
- At $100, entry is about 54 percent above a typical half marathon in Iowa, which costs $65 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.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, Half Marathon, Relay, Other.
- Where does it start?
- P.O. Box 193, Lansing, IA 52151.
From the organizers
Run the Great River National Scenic Byway of northeast Iowa. Taking a detour onto Red Oak Road, participants will be able to see the majestic Mississippi River! This event takes place during Iowa's peak leaf season. Come see why this event is one of the most scenic half marathons you'll ever do!