NewBo Run
Cedar Rapids, IA
- Half Marathon, 10K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Join this Labor Day Weekend tradition! The NewBo Run Half Marathon & 10K features Prairie Park Fishery, the Sac and Fox Trail, and the Indian Creek Nature Center. Both races start and finish in the NewBo City Market, located in the NewBo district of Cedar Rapids. The race partners … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Sep 06):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 65 | 71 | 77 | 79 | 83 |
| L (°F) | 41 | 54 | 62 | 61 | 57 |
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Smaller race, not one of my faves
I don’t like to be negative for races because I know committees put their heart into producing them. But this just was not one of my favorites. I drove here … MORE
I don’t like to be negative for races because I know committees put their heart into producing them. But this just was not one of my favorites. I drove here from St. Louis to knock out another state half marathon, in conjunction with a half at Madison Wisconsin the day before. It was a super small race, which is fine, but the route really had not much to see, went out into the middle of the country somewhere, and at one point, being at the back of the pack, I wasn’t even sure I was on the right roads.
It was a nice quiet race, though, and they had awesome breakfast burritos at the end. Sadly, I was also not a fan of the swag.
Small town race Not for PRs but fun
This is a very small town race. Everyone was friendly in this town I met and its very low key and small population. Logistics were very easy from parking to … MORE
This is a very small town race. Everyone was friendly in this town I met and its very low key and small population. Logistics were very easy from parking to packet pickup etc.
Packet pickup the day before had plenty of parking when I arrived at the start. The market is cute and I recommend going in and getting a treat either for later or going Sunday after the race and having dessert!
The race was small, and if you thrive off of crowd support or are looking for a PR, this might not be your jam. The feel is fun and inviting and like I was out for a training run. The course was pretty, along a river for some and then on some country roads followed by some soft trail back to a short small downtown feel. Miles 3-4 had some rolling hills otherwise the course was flat. Miles 6/7-10 were on a soft trail. The river had just crested and flooded the trail so it wasn’t back and the race organizers were able to have a small part of the trail leveled. That’s was really nice! Beware mile 8ish you cross a train track (why you should go out for fun #1). I personally had to just slow my pace for a little stretch then the train cleared by the time I got to the gates. Then literally right before you get to mile twelve you cross that track again (reason #2, relax and have fun). I did get stopped for about 4 minutes here. Everyone that was stopped was surprisingly ok and chill. You can’t control it, so just enjoy the moment. When the gates lifted it was a mad dash to the finish. It was kind of a bummer because it just so happened it was the group that would have been right under 2 hours. Probably at least 10 people missed that mark due to train activity. Side note, there are race markers, but. It on the trail. So I think I saw miles 2-4, mile 6, possibly 7??, mile 8, and 10-12.
If you go into this race just out for fun, you will definitely have fun and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. If you go out for this race for speed and PRs, you might get one, but you might also be frustrated if you hit a train and then nobody likes a downer!! (Photo mile 11.8 stuck at a train 🤷♀️🚂🌞)
At the end of the race since it’s small the announcer pretty much was able to announce everyone as they came through. The medals were a simple tile design on a cord. Fitting with the art festival that weekend and the small town hand crafted vibe. The shirts were soft cotton (which I love). The finish line had chips some fruit chewy type snacks water and 3 options of burritos (veggie chicken and maybe the third was beef?). Also I loved the race director was at the finish asking for feedback and just a friendly positive person. She was there for as far as I could tell the entire finish line helping at the medals and at the food station. That was great to see!
I’d recommend this race if you don’t need crowd support, like that small town feel and are not too bent on a time just in case you do run i to a train. My expectations were low, but I walked away with a big smile on my face because of all the lovely people in this town!
Satisfactory Race
Ok race. Well organized. Hot and humid. Course is a mix of trail and paved roads. Only negative was the absence of mile markers. None! That made it a little … MORE
Ok race. Well organized. Hot and humid. Course is a mix of trail and paved roads. Only negative was the absence of mile markers. None!
That made it a little challenging to pace myself as I run without any tech.
Great People, Good Race
The Newbo Run is a must if you are a runner in the Cedar Valley. The race director was great but had issues with the megaphone or something during the … MORE
The Newbo Run is a must if you are a runner in the Cedar Valley. The race director was great but had issues with the megaphone or something during the start and I don’t think anyone 50-feet from the start line could hear anything they were announcing, or the National Anthem.
My goal was to finish in 2:00 so I ran along with the pacers who ended up running much faster than a 2-hour pace for a lot of the course. I was really bummed and wished I would have just ran my own race.
The race itself is on a fairly easy course following mostly paved roads but the half breaks off on a trail that was kind of sandy/loose soil which was kind of tough to run on.
There were plenty of aid stations with a lot of volunteers to cheer and hand you drinks which was nice. The after-race event at the NewBo market is fun and they have a lot of unique foods and beer available. Overall it is a fun race that brings a lot of people together in the great state of Iowa.
Good race with great breakfast
You can pick up your bib the afternoon before or in race day morning. The course was a mix of country roads, groomed trails along water and a downtown area. … MORE
You can pick up your bib the afternoon before or in race day morning. The course was a mix of country roads, groomed trails along water and a downtown area. One thing that was different was that I was stopped during the end of the race for a train.
After the finish line there was a great choice of breakfast burritos, pastries, water and local draft beers. The medal was a small ceramic tile on a black cord and the shirt was a soft t-shirt.
NewBo was a well organized race. It was a good morning.
Good local race!
This race is great local race. It's not expensive AT ALL. You also have the option to skip getting the race shirt which is nice because I don't need another … MORE
This race is great local race. It’s not expensive AT ALL. You also have the option to skip getting the race shirt which is nice because I don’t need another t shirt in my closet. This race allows dogs which is awesome because I’m always looking for races to run with my dog. There are a couple killer hills but otherwise, it’s pretty flat. Some of the race is done on a limestone trail and I got stuck in bike wheel tracks a few times. The medals are handmade which is awesome and they have plenty of local beers to choose from afterwards.
Great local race! Can be hot.
I've done this half marathon twice and have been very pleased with it both times. The course is well supported and has a variety of scenery. The only downside is … MORE
I’ve done this half marathon twice and have been very pleased with it both times. The course is well supported and has a variety of scenery. The only downside is part of it is on a limestone trail and it rained heavily before this year so my ankles were not happy the next day due to running on a mushy surface. Without the rain though it’s awesome to have a change in scenery like that! It can also be VERY hot due but just be prepared for that. The medals are hand crafted ceramic and very unique! The age group awards are hand crafted ceramic bowls and cups – very cool! There is free beer afterwards and a variety of food options. I’ve done this race twice and would definitely do it again in the future!
Humid Day
Not a bad small race but the humidity was a killer. Organization was fine. Medals are nice ceramic medallions. Shirts are appropriate for the price. All in all, if it … MORE
Not a bad small race but the humidity was a killer. Organization was fine. Medals are nice ceramic medallions. Shirts are appropriate for the price. All in all, if it had been less humid it would have been a decent day.
Great race and great post race party
This race provided me with a new personal best in the half marathon. I thought it was pretty flat, with 1 hill bit it wasnt too bad. I enjoyed the … MORE
This race provided me with a new personal best in the half marathon. I thought it was pretty flat, with 1 hill bit it wasnt too bad. I enjoyed the trail part of the run due to not being on the pavement. After the race, free beer, pretzel bagel(was the best), breakfast burritos, and pastries.