Cedar Rapids Marathon
Cedar Rapids, United States · April · Independent
Why people love it
- Downtown start and finish, with a free expo at the DoubleTree Convention Center.
- Aid about every 3 km (2 mi) with plentiful volunteers.
- USATF-certified Boston qualifier.
- Neighbourhoods, riverside paths and parks show off the city.
- Moves to 25 April 2027, usually cooler than the humid June 2026 debut.
Watch out for
- Hills around miles 3.5 to 5.5 (5.6 to 8.9 km) and a tough trail section later.
- Only one edition so far, so details may change.
- April highs range from 8 to 21 °C (46 to 70 °F); the 2026 race was humid with rain.
- An Ely Road out-and-back was added late; check the current route.
- Entry fee, cutoff and elevation gain are not published.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.1
RaceRaves 4.4 from 68 ratings for an inaugural race. Reviewers like the organisation and crowds; hills and humidity surprised some. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.2
RaceRaves production 4.7; reviewers praised volunteers, aid and communication for a first-year event; the Ely Road reroute and an e-biker on course are minor. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.8
Aid about every 3 km (2 mi) and a relay option help, but hills and a rough trail section are tougher than advertised. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.4
Billed flat and fast, but hills near miles 3.5 to 5.5 (5.6 to 8.9 km) and a trail section; humidity cost some runners in 2026. · Low confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful3.5
RaceRaves scenery 3.8: historic neighbourhoods, riverside paths, downtown and parks. · Low confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.5
Ely Road out-and-back added; wide roads per organiser; no congestion reports. · Low confidence
- Road surfaceMixed3.2
City streets plus trail; no complaints on pavement but the trail section was hard. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.5
Not documented; police and volunteers directing; one e-biker on course. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessRolling3.2
Elevation is not published. The organiser says minimal gain, but reviewers report early hills and a trail climb. · Low confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Loop through the city; no net drop. · Low confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth3.7
Downtown start; free expo at the DoubleTree; limited reports. · Low confidence
- Pacers and timingGood3.8
Pacers page published by organiser; timing standard. · Low confidence
- Crowd supportStrong3.8
Reviewers said Cedar Rapids knows how to cheer; first-year crowds in neighbourhoods and downtown. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.2
Aid about every 3 km (2 mi) with volunteers; cold towels were provided though some were tossed on the road. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindSome wind3.0
Open Plains wind possible; no reports. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant3.6
April 25 mornings about 0 to 11 °C (32 to 52 °F) usually pleasant, but the 2026 June race was humid. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Iowa spring weather: April 25 highs ranged 8 to 21 °C (46 to 70 °F); rain and humidity hit 2026. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.6
Downtown start and finish and neighbourhood sections give spectators several access points. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.8
Altitude about 220 m (720 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Host hotel and downtown rooms; convention hotel hosts expo. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood4.0
Midwest city prices; no review found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.8
Downtown start, expo and host hotel close together. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.4
CID about 13 km (8 mi) away; most 2026 runners came from within 120 km (75 mi). · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
Free expo and packet pickup the day before at the host hotel; shuttle needs not reported. · Low confidence
- Town and foodFine3.4
Downtown, NewBo district and riverside paths; reviewers praised showing off the city. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inOpen entry4.5
Open entry; field of about 850 marathoners. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyGood value4.2
RaceRaves swag 4.1; plenty of swag, food, free race photos and a VIP package reviewers liked; fee not retrieved. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Cedar Rapids, Linn County, United States
- Typical month
- April
- Latest or next date
- 25 April 2027
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 850 athletes
- First held
- 2026
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Start time
- 07:00
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- City streets with Cedar River trail sections
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Rarely
- Air temperature
- 5–18 °C (41–64 °F)
- Humidity
- Humid in summer; spring variable
- Altitude
- 220 m (720 ft)
- Nearest airport
- The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), 13 km (8 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Cedar Rapids, NewBo district
- Booking
- Host hotel through Passkey link; expo at the DoubleTree Convention Center downtown.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2026 · aggregator · Positive
68 ratings, 4.4 overall; difficulty 3.1, scenery 3.8, production 4.7, swag 4.1. Runners agree on strong volunteers and aid, good crowds and communication, with hills around miles 3.5 to 5.5 and a tough trail section; some found it warm and humid.
“Well organized inaugural marathon.”
- KCRGRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Nearly 3,000 runners, about 850 in the marathon and 1,200 in the half; two-thirds from within 120 km (75 mi); a half runner called the course fast and flat.
“Fast, flat.”
- KCRG (winners)Raced 2026 · article · Mixed
Marathon was humid with some rain and multiple runners called the course difficult; winner just under 2:31.
Raced Cedar Rapids Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Cedar Rapids Marathon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.