Cycling & running events in Waterloo, 2026

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Training Notes

Running: Locals run the Cedar Valley Trails when they want easy Z2 and clean loops. The Cedar River Loop gives you 17 miles along the Cedar River without making the route feel fussy. You can run 3 miles through forests in George Wyth State Park and Hartman Reserve. from Pfeiffer Park. John Deere Waterloo 5K is the flat fast anchor. Death by 5K Waterloo turns George Wyth State Park into the long-game test.

Cycling: Cedar Valley Cyclists is the easy door into riding here. on Wednesdays from May through September. Paved trail rides usually run 10-18 miles, and road rides generally run 15-30 miles. The route runs 0 mi from Cedar Falls toward Mason City along the Winnebago, Shell Rock and Cedar Rivers. The route stays mostly gravel with a few short paved pieces. The climbs are rolling hills, so you can do intervals without it being a huge climbing day.

Season: May through September is the clean training block for both sports. Locals stack base miles, group rides, trail loops, and race mornings while Cedar Valley Cyclists keeps the Wednesday rhythm going. Summer brings the ShamRock N Run with Iowa Irish Fest, in its 20th year as the midwest's Irish festival. Winter changes the run routine first. Thursty Thursdays move indoors in January and February to the UNI-Dome for stairs, track, and strength work. Cyclists keep the Cedar Valley Trails and WSC Byway in mind, then let the season decide the day.