Welcome to the fastest 5k in the Midwest!
Event doubles as the USATF Iowa Road 5k State Championship.
NEW in 2026, Team Competitions! See information below.
2026 RESULTS
2026 Venue Change due to flooding! Now at Gray's Lake - SE Corner
2026 marks the 7th annual Blazing 5k. The last 6 years have welcomed elites and runners of all types. The 5k course starts on the back loop in Water Works Park and shoots out the gun going clockwise on the flat and fast loop. At the end of the loop the racers are greeted by a prize for the first person to cross the mat. From there it's another flat and fast main loop going clockwise. This area offers plenty of space for spectators and the field can be seen for almost the entirety of this loop. It finishes on the screaming fast and long straightaway to the finish.
The 2026 course starts alongside scenic Gray's Lake where we will head south and then east as we hug the lake. Once at the first intersection, you will veer left and then right on to the main path of the trail. This pancake flat straightaway will be perfect for setting a fast pace. Once you approach the 1.5 mile mark, you'll find yourself at the Fleet Feet hype zone and the bonus premium mat, so kick it in! From there you will continue past and to the 180 degree turnaround (Sorry!) However, once through you will have a long straightaway to a blazing fast finish on the path next to the main parking lot. 2026 certification submitted for alternate course.
USATF Certified Course: IA21006MF (Waterworks Course)
The 7th edition of the event date is now taking place on October 4th, 2026.
Prizes:
2026 Prize Structure: See Below
Overall 1st M/F : $300 + Shoes
Overall 2nd M/F: $200 + Shoes
Overall 3rd M/F: $100 + Shoes
Overall 4th M/F: $75
Overall 5th M/F: $50
Fleet Feet Premium Bonus: $100 + Shoes (First to 1.5 mile timing mat)
5k Course Record Bonus: $100
- Male: Edwin Kurgat - 13:47 (2022)
- Female: Kassie Parker -15:46 (2024)
5k All-Comers Record Bonus: $1000
- Male: Frank Omara - 13:37 (1992)
- Female: Shelly Steely - 15:30 (1992)
2025 Total Planned Purse: $3150 + Shoes (x8 pairs)
2024 Total Purse: $3350 + Shoes (8xpairs)
2023 Total Purse: $3540 + 8 pairs of free shoes + Coeur Gear (Women's Winner)
2022 5k Prize Purse: $2100 +shoes
2021 Blazing 5k Prize Purse: $1750 + shoes
2021 10k Invite Prize Purse: $2250 + shoes + gear
2020 Prize Purse: $600 + shoes + gift cards
Elites:
- Male cutoff 16:30
- Male Free Entry 14:45 or faster
- Free Entry Sign Up Opens 4/14/2026
- Female cutoff 20:00
- Female Free Entry 19:00 or faster
- Free Entry Sign Up Opens 4/14/2026
- Feel free to reach out to Tyson Wieland @ Tysonw123@live.com
Team Competitions
New in 2026, we will be offering both Elite and Open team competitions.
Elite Category
Men's Elite Team Competition: $500
- Top 4 men score, lowest total wins. (Cross Country Style)
- Tie broke by heads up of lead runners
- Unlimited roster
- Must be registered in the elite category
- Prize Money paid out to designated team leader, $500
Women's Elite Team Competition: $500
- Top 4 women score, lowest total wins. (Cross Country Style)
- Tie broke by heads up of lead runners
- Unlimited roster
- Must be registered in the elite category
- Prize Money paid out to designated team leader, $500
Open Category Co-Ed Division
- Top 2 men and top 2 women score, lowest total wins. (Cross Country Style)
- Tie broke by heads up of lead runners
- Unlimited roster
- Must be registered in the open category
- Prize to awarded at 9:15AM
Age Group Awards
Age Group Awards
Awards provided by Fleet Feet Des Moines!
1st - $25 Gift Card
2nd - $15 Gift Card
3rd - $10 Gift Card
Age Group Categories
19 and under
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70+
Race Weekend Timeline
Friday 10/2/2026
4-6:00PM Packet Pickup @ Fleet Feet Des Moines
Saturday 10/3/2026
9-10:00AM - Packet Pickup @ Gray's Lake (SE PARKING LOT)
Sunday 10/4/2026 - Race Day (At Gray's Lake - SE Parking Lot for 2026)
6:30AM: Course Opens & Packet Pickup Starts
7:50AM: Men's Elite Pre-Race Meeting at the start line
8:00AM: Men’s Elite 5k Race
8:15AM: Packet Pickup Closes
8:20AM: Open/Stroller + Elite Women Pre-Race Meeting at the start line
8:25AM: Stroller 5k Start
8:30AM: Elite Women's 5k Race
8:30AM: Open 5K Race (10 seconds after elite women start)
9:15AM: Awards Ceremony - Near the finish line
Location
John R Grubb Ln
SE CORNER
Des Moines, IA 50315 US
View Location on Map
Race Map
PARKING LOTS
The main lot is in the SE corner of the park, the next closest parking lot is lot B which is near the start line, lot C is the lot nearest the entrance of the park, and lot D is accessed via Fluer. All 4 lots also have bathrooms next to the parking lot.
