Experience Allamakee County in Northeast Iowa like never before! Enjoy the scenic views while running (or walking) in an area best known for its tall bluffs and carved river valleys. The DHM course is point-to-point taking place on the Great River Road Scenic Byway. Runners are given a serene view of the Mississippi River while running on Red Oak Road, a 4 mile stretch of gravel. The views don’t end there! The fall foliage is typically at peak color the weekend of our event. You will be greeted by many burnt orange and vibrant red trees. At mile 10, participants run along the river all the way to the finish line near the Blackhawk Bridge! You won’t have time to be bored on this course.
So you want to run, just not the whole 13.1? Don’t go it alone! Recruit a friend and run the route as a relay team. Also new is a 10k(+) event! Run the first half of the half marathon course. The 10k+ is 6.6 miles – a little longer the typical 10k. There is also a family friendly 5k that will take place in the town of Lansing. There is a distance for everyone no matter what fitness level you’re at! Held annually the second Saturday in October.
From the shirts to the medals to the HANDMADE ceramic awards (for our age group winners), this race has it all! Trust us, you want this to be your ‘Iowa Race’.
The Driftless Half Marathon is a 501(3)c nonprofit. The Race Committee is made up of women (and one awesome dude) that have a passion for running. We believe in giving back to the community we are lucky to call home. We hope to make a positive impact while also motivating people to be active. Proceeds from the DHM event benefits the local Fire and EMS Departments of Lansing and Harper’s Ferry, the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office, and other local nonprofit organizations. We also award scholarships to graduating seniors from Lansing and Waukon. To date, we’ve donated over $30,000! Each year, we also do a food drive to benefit L.I.F.T. (Lansing Iowa Food Trust). We are grateful to be able to make an impact doing what we love while including those with the same passion for the sport of running.
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Challenging course
A beautiful course along the Mississippi river. Some gravel, about three miles and the rest is on a concrete road. Adequate water stops and porta potties. Several hills with one … MORE
A beautiful course along the Mississippi river. Some gravel, about three miles and the rest is on a concrete road. Adequate water stops and porta potties. Several hills with one doozy, then almost all downhill from there. A smaller race where friendly locals are actively involved. We stayed in Lacrosse WI which is an easy 45min drive.(There is an airport in Lacrosse too)
Beautiful Scenery/Challenging Course
I have run the Driftless Half Marathon 3 times now and plan to come back again in the future. The course is challenging with the rolling hills and one large … MORE
I have run the Driftless Half Marathon 3 times now and plan to come back again in the future. The course is challenging with the rolling hills and one large hill around mile 7, but typically the timing is during peak leaf week in northeast Iowa so the colorful view makes up for any misery your legs might be in.
The race offers a shuttle to the start as it is point-to-point and has had a bag drop 2/3 years I have done it which was very well appreciated.
The volunteers are great and the race definitely offers a small-town friendly vibe.
The race board had troubles with their finisher medal supplier this year so did not offer 2022 medals, but everyone received a medal from a previous year and a silicone cup as finisher swag as well as a shirt.
Overall this is a great race that I would definitely recommend to anyone who’s not afraid of hills!
Nice way to experience Iowa in the fall
The race was point to point. Shuttles ran smoothly to get all the participants to the start line. It was extremely foggy at the start, but the fog lifted a … MORE
The race was point to point. Shuttles ran smoothly to get all the participants to the start line. It was extremely foggy at the start, but the fog lifted a few miles into the run. It was a crisp morning in the low sixties at the start. It got a little warm near the finish. It might’ve been nice if the race started at 7 instead of 7:30.
The course did have some hills and rolling terrain. The was one long climb near the halfway point— the incline was never steep, but I’d guess the climb was half a mile in distance.
The terrain was a mix of hard packed trail and road. The finish followed the Mississippi River into downtown Lansing which is a pleasant small town.
The aid stations had water and Gatorade but were self serve and unmanned.
The bling features a River theme and was on par with most other small races I have ran.
The race volunteers and officials were friendly and pleasant.
This was an enjoyable way to experience northern Iowa on a fall weekend!
What a doozie!
This race is super challenging. Rolling hills, gravel/dirt road for several miles. The trade off is gorgeous scenery and a nice finisher medal. The post race party was non-existent. When … MORE
This race is super challenging. Rolling hills, gravel/dirt road for several miles. The trade off is gorgeous scenery and a nice finisher medal. The post race party was non-existent. When I finished everything had been eaten and drank, not even a cup of coffee to be had. Fortunately my family accompanied me and brought money so I could get a hot drink at a coffee shop down the street. What a bummer. This was a one and done for me!