Moorehead Park Trail Mazathon 2026

Description

This 26.2 mile marathon trail run will take place on the single track dirt trails along with some sections of mowed meadow trails in the rolling hills of Moorehead Park. Participants can expect challenging hills and beautiful scenery while running well-marked and maintained trails. You will be running on some old stage coach trails that will take you past the first homestead which served as the stage coach stop, church, and doctor/hospital. Pay your respects as you visit the cemetery of our first settlers, check out some old farm equipment, visit an old train depot, and run past a one room school house.

This race will consist of three 8.8 mile loops with the option of signing up for the 1/3 mazathon which consists of one loop for 8.8 miles, the 2/3 mazathon which consists of two loops for 17.6 miles, or the full mazathon which consists of 3 loops for 26.2 miles.

Finisher medals will be awarded to all distances for Mazathon finishers.

If you check out the course map you will see the elevation at around 600 ft. of climb which is not accurate. The actual elevation climb per loop is right around 1000 ft.

There will be a designated spot for drop bags at the start/finish line and at the mid-way aid station. Please mark your bag with your bib number. There are no water crossings but depending on the dew on the ground you shoes may get wet going through the meadows.

There will be 2 fully stocked and manned aid stations on the loop. One at the start/finish line and the other one at around mile 5. To help quench your thirst the aid stations will offer water and HAMMER HEED. You are required to carry your own device for your liquids. THE AID STATIONS WILL NOT BE STOCKED WITH DRINKING GLASSES!!! Because of the possibility of high temperatures on race day you will not be allowed on the course without a device to hold liquids. As far a nutritional items are concerned we will carry a large variety of items which will include but are not limited to......pb&j sandwiches, trail mix, pickles, pickle juice, pretzels,, cookies, salty potatoes, freeze pops, bananas, WE WILL NOT HAVE DRINKING GLASSES! There will also be three unmanned water stations along the loop. They will be located at approximately miles 2, 4, and 8. These station will supply water only. THERE WILL NOT BE DRINKING GLASSES!

Packet pick-up will be from 4-8pm on Friday, July 31 or 5-7:30am on the day of the race at the Conservation Center at Moorehead Park. We will have a short meeting at 7:45 and the race will begin promptly at 8:00am. All runners must be off the course by 10:00pm. Please arrive early enough to give yourself plenty of time to be prepared for an 8:00am start!

In order to help you prepare for your run and perhaps meet and mingle with fellow runners and volunteers we will offer a pasta meal at packet pick-up. The meal will be available from 5:30-7:30 on Friday, July 31 at the conservation center. This will be a FREE WILL DONATION! If you like you can bring along your favorite beverage to enjoy. We will provide water and ice tea.

This event will be held in conjunction with The Trail of the Dragon 50K/50 Mile Run

All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Ida County Conservation Foundation. The Foundations mission is dedicated to fostering relationships between residents and our natural world.

Your registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

If you are looking for lodging accommodations here are some suggestions......Super 8 Motel #712-364-3988 or Castle Town Inn #712-364-3317, both of these are in Ida Grove and within 2 miles of the park. Boulders Inn & Suites #712-368-6200 located in Holstein, IA. approximately 11 miles away or Boulders in Lake View, IA. approximately 20 miles. If you are looking to camp there is primitive camping available at Moorehead Park, no electrical hook-ups available. Cobb Park is a small camping area located across the highway from the park with electrical hook-ups and hot showers. Crawford Creek Recreati