Mines of Spain Trail Races

The 2016 race wrap up and results are here.  THANK YOU to everyone who came out and ran or just hung out.  Once again it was a truly great day!

Note: The 2017 Mines of Spain Trail Races reached capacity in about 3 hours.  There is a waiting list and a good chance that many on the waiting list will still have the opportunity to participate.  To get on the list go here and then click on "Register."

On August 12, 2017 the Mines of Spain Trail Races will happen.  For the 5th year!  Since three of us hatched the idea way back when we had no idea it would grow to what it has become - one of the showcase races in Iowa and the region.  We've been featured in Trail Runner Magazine's list of scenic races for your bucket list in 2015 and again in 2016 and we're proud of that and all the positive comments we've received every year.  From the beginning our focus has been on putting on the kind of premier event we would want to run and to promote the sport we love.  From Olympic Trials qualifiers and national champions to first timers, all of whom have run in the past, there's something for everyone.  We'd like all of you to have a chance to come hang out with us on some of the state's best trails this August!

Registration for the 2017 Mines of Spain Trail Races will open on March 11 at noon on Ultrasignup.com.  Registration is capped at 250 runners total for the three distances and we will fill quickly.  There will be early bird pricing in the first week so sign up early to ensure you get in but also to save money.

The race will once again start and finish at at EB Lyons Nature Center (directions here).  This was a good change for us last year as it gave us access to water, shelter, electricity... you know, the essentials for a race.  The parking was also improved and the nature center is maybe a minute from the nearest hotel (Econolodge) for those who might be staying overnight.  Kids (and their parents) will love the opportunity to explore the nature center during or after the race, as well.

We will again offer 3 distances - a 4 mile, 7 mile and 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles for those who haven't quite figured that out yet.)  The half has been the main event since the start and typically about half the participants choose that distance and get to experience all the goodness the trails in the Mines have to offer.  Don't think that you won't be challenged by the 4 or 7 mile course, though! Most everyone will agree that they ain't easy.

Participants can get a nice organic cotton, made-in-the-USA shirt.  If you're the sort of runner who already has it all you can also save some money and forgo the swag.  But in addition to that there will be plenty of yummy eats (like last year we will have pizza baked on site) plus plenty of potluck items brought by our incredible participants... and beer.  Three  kegs of local beer from Jubeck's New World Brewery in downtown Dubuque will once again supply post-race hydration needs this year.

--We'll again be as eco-friendly as possible.  There will be no cups at aid stations, so bring a handheld bottle, wear a hydration pack or your reusable, foldable cup from 2013.  We'll be reusing, composting and recycling as much as possible and hope to hold our post race refuse down to a single garbage bag like last year. Local sustainable living magazine "The Radish" has a nice article about our efforts and has given us a nice award, too.
--We'll have plenty of door prizes (hopefully! Wanna donate?  Give us a holler!)
--Packet pickup will be available (and encouraged) on Friday evening at the nature center and we'll again offer a FREE MiniMines race for the kiddos (about a mile) will be held around 6:30.
--The races will once again be a part of the No Coast Trail Series.  Run trail races in Iowa.  Lots of them. The faster and farther the better.  More, faster and farther scores you points throughout the year and you could win awesome prizes.

Stay up to date on the latest race news by "liking" the race Facebook page.

Just want the basics?

Where: Mines of Spain State Recreation Area - EB Lyons Nature Center.  Directions here:
When: August 12, 2017 with the half marathon starting at 7:30 and the 7 and 4 mile distances starting 15 minutes later.
Who: YOU!
What: Run trails with 249 of your new best friends.
How: One foot in front of the other.
Why: Trail running is awesome. The park is beautiful.  The courses are HARD.  The people are cool.  And there will be beer.

Wondering what happened last year or looking for previous results?  Click here for the 2016 wrap up, or here for the 2015 goings-on.  Here are results from 2014 and 2013.

What are the courses like?  Rest assured, there are lots of ups, downs, singletrack, ski trail, prairies and more hills.  Here is the Strava segment for each course:
Half marathon
7 mile
4 mile