Community Corner

Downtown Iowa City Race Series to Begin this Fall

Media Release  

Iowa City is getting its first ever downtown race series this fall, with three Sundayafternoon events that seasoned runners and novices alike can enjoy. The series is sponsored and organized by numerous downtown organizations including The Iowa City Downtown District, Running Wild, West Bank, Active Endeavors, SouthGate Companies and the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

Race Director Joe Hughes of Southgate Companies and several Downtown business owners recognized the demand for additional running events in the area and modeled a running race series after the popular Downtown Boulder Race Series in Boulder, Colo., featuring the signature "Pearl Street Mile." 

Find out what's happening in Iowa Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The series begins with the Marketplace Stampede 3K by Active Endeavors on Sept. 15 that will send runners through the Brown Historic District before ending on Iowa Avenue during the city's inaugural Soul Fest.

The second race - the Presidential Mile by Running Wild on Oct. 6 - will charge down Clinton Street to President Sally Mason's home. For the third race - the Iowa Avenue 2K by West Bank on Oct. 27 - runners will be invited to race in costume.

Find out what's happening in Iowa Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The Boulder series was a tremendously popular event - everyone from the community comes downtown," said Hughes, who lived in Boulder for eight years before returning to Iowa in 2011. "Elite racers, families, students, they all run because they get to run shorter, quicker races and then stick around downtown for food."

Youth ages 12 and under will run for free in the Iowa City race series. Top participants overall and in each age category will compete for over $2,000 in gift certificates to downtown shops and restaurants. Awards will go to series champions based on best cumulative times for all three races.

  • Marketplace Stampede 3K by Active Endeavors, Sunday, September 15, 2013, 3:33 p.m.
  • Presidential Mile by Running Wild, Sunday, October 6, 2013, 3:33 p.m.
  • Iowa Avenue 2K by West Bank, Sunday, October 27, 2013, 3:33 p.m.

Every race will be followed by a short sprint for children, ages 5 and under.

All of the race series profits will go to Young Life Iowa City and the University of Iowa's Dance Marathon.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Iowa City