Cycling & running events in Cedar Rapids, 2026

Cedar Rapids Training Notes

Running: Locals run Cedar River Trail, Sac & Fox Trail, Cedar Valley Nature Trail, Grant Wood Trail, and Boyson Trail when they want steady base miles without overthinking the route. Cedar River Trail runs 48 km with 10 m gain when you want controlled Z2. Sac & Fox Trail runs 07 km with 174 m gain, so locals use it when flat miles feel too easy. Corridor Running keeps the community tied together, and Fifth Season Races, Cedar Rapids Marathon Weekend, and Hot Cider Hustle give the calendar its anchor events.

Cycling: Locals ride the Cedar Valley Nature Trail because it runs 52 miles from Waterloo to Hiawatha and links into the Cedar River Trail and Hoover Trail toward Ely. Hawkeye Bicycle Association has been around since 1971, and they run group rides on Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays from April through October. LAMBA keeps the singletrack side alive around Beverly Park, Mt. Trashmore, Pinion Ridge Park, and Sac & Fox Trail. Waldo's Rock Roads, Wickiup Hills, and the Hennessey Quarry Gravel Loop work those climbing muscles, while Pedals and Petals Women's Ride, Spokes of Hope Bike Ride, and Hiawatha100k give riders their anchor events.

Season: Spring gives Cedar Rapids runners and cyclists the best reset, and April through October is the clean stretch for Hawkeye Bicycle Association rides, long trail days, and race rhythm. Summer brings hot, humid miles and frequent severe thunderstorms, so most people start early before intervals get too sloppy. The Fifth Season Races and Cedar Rapids Marathon Weekend make summer feel busy in a good way. Winter changes the plan, because cold, snow, and long stretches of rough weather push runners toward shorter loops and cyclists toward fat biking when LAMBA has groomed singletrack ready.