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Living History Farms Off-Road Races

in United States at Living History Farms - 2600 111th St. (Interstate 80 and Hickman Road)

Registration for the 2015 event will be opening in late September.
Check back periodically for new updates.


  • 7-Mile

    Online registration is closed for this category.



  • 7-Mile VIP
    The standard 7-mile option is capped at 7500. The VIP category is $145 (includes a $45 entry fee, a $100 donation, and VIP amenities. VIP details and amenities are listed on the front page of this form.

    Online registration is closed for this category.



  • 7-Mile - Approved Transfer
    Participants MUST be 12 years of age.Transfer code required.

    Online registration is closed for this category.



  • Not Attending - Gave Up Spot and Transferred

    Online registration is closed for this category.




VIP Package - a great donation to Living History Farms:

Make a great donation to Living History Farms! Donate $100 (tax deductible) to the LHF in addition to your entry fee and receive;
* Special easy in and easy out parking location.
* A special LHF limited edition gift.
* Farm Race Pottery (similar to the awards).
* Guaranteed shirt size whenever you arrive at packet pick-up (where you will get to go to the front of the line).
* You will also be allowed to start the race in the front area (if you wish).

Largest Cross-Country Race in North America

The 36th Living History Farms race celebrates your running with a Hot Post Race Meal brought to you by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant, VIP packet pick-up, chip timing, and youth runs, You will again be challenged by the world's richest farm land as you wade through creeks, dodge farm animals and claw your way to the top of gullies with 7500 (limit) other runners of questionable senses. It's a great way to end the racing season and experience running stories to re-live and re-tell throughout the winter. Stay for the "Outdoors in November" post race lunch, door prizes and awards ceremony.

It's a great way to end the racing season and experience running stories to re-live and re-tell throughout the winter. Stay for the "Outdoors in November" post race lunch, door prizes and awards ceremony.

No refunds! All expenses are established when you register. Proceeds go to Central Iowa charities and community projects.

Event Schedule

Events/Start Times
9:00 AM -- 7-Mile starts adjacent to the Visitor's Center.
10:45 AM --Youth Races start near the awards stage.

Race Packets

Friday November 21, 3:00 to 8:00 PM
Saturday November 22, 7:30 to 8:30 AM, shirt size not guaranteed.

Living History Farms, Interstate 80 & Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa

Chip Timing - Scoring based on Gun Time.

Runners must wear a chip provided by the race.
No chip = no time.
The start will be wider and no start mats will be used to allow for a safe and speedy race.
Line up by ability!

TIMING WILL BE LIMITED TO THOSE FINISHING IN UNDER 3 HOURS!

Race Shirt

All 7 mile entrants receive a 100% cotton long sleeve running shirt. We DO take your size however, as we need to order these 3 months out size is not guaranteed! Be sure to arrive early and get your requested size.

Entry Fees for the 7-mile race (must be at least 12 years old to enter)

$45 thru Oct. 10th.
If any are available after that, fee goes to $55.
Last year the race filled up (7500) in 36 hours.

LHF VIP entry : *Add $100 to your $45 entry fee (each individual) for the VIP treatment and a wonderful donation to the Living History Farms (tax deductible).
There will be 300 set aside for V.I.P. entries. Total fee $145.

Receive Updates from the Living History Farms Race Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/LivingHistoryFarmsOffRoadRace

**No onsite registration at packet pickup- No Refunds

Youth Races

Youth Races--Free (11 and under) with optional t-shirt purchase for $5 at Fri. packet pickup or at the start on Saturday.

Post-Race Meal

Again this year the Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant and the Iowa Beef Industry Council with be combining with us to provide all registered runners with a hot meal.
Beef Stew with made from scratch biscuits and pumpkin bars with be served with cider and coffee following the race. And yes, there will be Donuts!!

Youth Races - Free (11 yrs. and under) start at 10:45 a.m. near the awards stage

The youth races will have distances of 50-100 yds. for ages 1-5; quarter mile for ages 6-8 and a half mile for ages 9-11. All youth will receive finisher's ribbons.
This will be true cross-country running for the younger runners.
NO Pre- registration is required!

Awards

7-Mile Individual Awards (chip time based on gun time):
Special awards to the top male and female finishers (also included in age awards).

Age Divisions - 12 to 14 (awards to 2 male, 2 female); 15 to 18 (5, 5); 19 to 24 (5, 5); 25 to 29 (5, 5); 30 to 34 (5, 5); 35 to 39 (5, 5); 40 to 44 (5, 4);45 to 49 (5, 3); 50 to 54( 5, 3); 55 to 59 (3, 2); 60 to 64 (3, 2); 65 to 69 (2, 1); 70 & up (2, 1).
First Place - $20 Meat Certificates, 2nd - 5th $10 Meat Certificates. Also special Farm Pottery for 1st thru 5th. Poultry awards not claimed on race day will be donated to area charities.

7-Mile Team Awards (gun time for safety):
Teams consist of at least three runners. Coed division must have at least four runners, two male and two female. The top members score on a total time basis.
Special Farm Pottery (maximum 5 awards per team) - High School Teams (awards to 4 male teams, 4 female teams); Open (4, 4); Masters, all members age 40 & up (2, 2) and Coed (4).

Race Number Assignments on the Web

A complete list of all pre-registered entrants will be posted at www.FitnessSports.com on Thursday, November 21st.

Awards Ceremony and Results

The awards ceremony will be immediately following the youth races at 11:00 AM.

Door Prizes (prior to the awards ceremony) for participants who bring a donation to the DMARC Food Pantry for six pairs of Nike running shoes.
All the participants will be eligible for other drawings.

Keep your race number, must be present to win.

Complete Web Results:
Full results will be posted on the web by 6:00 PM Saturday, November 23rd at www.FitnessSports.com

Great Race for Great Causes

The "Farm Race" raises funds for Living History Farms and more. Over the last 12 years, the race has given $1,000,000 to the Living History Farms (a not-for-profit museum).

The race has also funded the Capital Striders endowment for scholarships to area senior cross country athletes; raised food/money for the Des Moines Area Religious Council Food Pantry and donated to area age-group track & swimming teams, the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the M.D.A., and area Fire Departments. Proceeds from the race help sponsor area races, purchase equipment and racing supplies used at road races and middle school/ high school XC meets.

All proceeds go to non-profit entities.

Bring a non-perishable food item to donate and you will be eligible for the door prize drawing for 6 pairs of Nike running shoes.

Door Prizes

Bring a donation to the DMARC Food Pantry & be entered to win 1 of 6 pairs of Adidas shoes.
All participants are eligible for the many other drawings.
Door prize drawings will be prior to the awards ceremony.
Keep race number, must be present to win.

Special Instructions

Because of the chance of injury or loss - no dogs, cell phones, listening devices, jewelry, car keys or props like swords, lances, etc. may be taken on the course.

Runners under age 12 are not allowed in 7 mile.
The crowd is too dangerous!

Common Questions

Will it be cold? Probably!

Will I get wet? Probably!

Will I get dirty? Probably!

Do I need gloves? Yes!

Exactly how far is it? 7 miles

Photography

They will be taking pictures at various places on the course as well as the finish area.
Pictures will be posted at: [url] www.jolesch.com[/url]

Parking

If you arrive after 8:00 AM, it may take 30 minutes to park. So arrive early, join the fun, check out thousands in costume and view the farm with clean shoes (soon to be muddy).

Car Pool and Get Here Early! Parking is very limited.

If you're coming from the North or East take an alternate exit. Leave Interstate 80/35 at the 86th St. exit. Take it south to Hickman Road, turn west (right) and you will enter the farm at the East Entrance, next to the Girl Scout Office. Police will direct traffic entering and leaving the grounds.

All buses and RVs should plan on coming in the east gate near the Girl Scout Office.

Hotels

Ask for the 'Living History Farms Race' rate and save.

The Sleep Inn - on the L.H.F.'s grounds, 877-233-0333

Super 8 about 1/2 mile south of farm, 515-226-0414 or 800-334-3277

Courtyard by Marriott, 1/2 mile south of farm, 515-225-1222.

Wildwood Lodge - about 1/2 mile south of Farm, 800-728-1223.

DAYS INN - about 1/2 mile south of Farm, 515-226-1600 .

Best Western Inn & Suites 1 mile south, across I-35, 515-221-2345

Sterling Hotel & Suites, about 1/2 mile south of Farm, shuttle to race. 515-223-7700

Country Inn & Suites 1 mile south, across I-35, 515-223-9254.

La Quinta Inn Clive 1 mile south, across I-35, 515-221-9200.

Valley West Inn, 1.5 mile south, 1 mile east on Westown Pkwy, WDM., 515-225-2524 or 800-833-6755.

Stoney Creek Inn, 1 mile north on I-35, 5291 Stoney Creek Ct. Johnston, IA. 515-334-9000

Hampton Inn West Des Moines, 2 miles south, & 1 mile west at 7060 Lake Drive, West Des Moines. 515-223-4700

Drury Inn & Suites, 3 .5 miles south at West Glen area nesr Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines. 515-457-9500.

Days Inn "Value Inn", 1 mile North on Douglas Ave. in Urbandale. 515-226-1600

Villa Lodge, 1 mile North on Douglas Ave. in Urbandale. 515-278-4601.

Special "thank you" to

City of Urbandale and Living History Farms for making this race possible.


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