Lace up your trail shoes for the 12th annual Pleasant Creek Trail Run on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Palo, IA. Hosted by the Eastern Iowa Trail Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to promoting outdoor activities and enhancing local trails, this event offers challenging and scenic courses for all levels of trail runners with distances of 45K, 30K, and 15K. The race unfolds on Pleasant Creek's outer equestrian trail, a 15K loop that runners will complete one, two, or three times depending on their chosen distance.

The course itself is a dynamic mix of dirt and grass trails with rolling hills that have historically produced fast times, yet still present small water crossings and varied terrain to keep you engaged. Expect to navigate wooded sections and open prairies, all while enjoying picturesque views of Pleasant Creek Lake. Each loop features approximately 780-850 feet of elevation gain/loss. The course is intuitive to follow, guided by clearly marked turns and permanent PCTR trail signs. Typical race day conditions in mid-September bring comfortable highs around 80°F and lows around 55°F, with a 16% chance of precipitation.

Runners will find well-supported aid stations along the course, offering water and electrolyte fluid, though participants are required to bring their own hydration devices as no cups are provided. Drop bags are welcome at the start/finish aid station. Beyond the challenging trails, the Pleasant Creek Trail Run is celebrated for its strong community atmosphere, often described by past participants as "top-notch" and "a race for runners, put on by runners." All finishers receive a custom medal, and top overall male and female finishers in each distance are awarded cash prizes and free entry to next year's event, with additional cash bonuses for breaking course records. A welcoming post-race cookout with refreshments awaits all participants at the finish line, located near the park's playground area north of the beach.