Our annual Half Marathon,10k, and Greubel 5k races are a fundraiser for Thrive Mission Team. Since 2020 has provided so many challenges, we are limiting participant numbers and expect a sell out. Two start lines: Half and 10k are combined, with one finish line. Half marathon will start with a rolling start at 8:00-8:15 followed by the 10K between 8:20-8:30 and the 5k at 8:30. We offer chip timing, super soft ring spun shirts, custom die cast medals to all, and age division awards. The half marathon and 10k for 2020 will be an out and back. We added a Greubel Memorial 5k in 2017 to fundraise for three kids in our church and community who tragically lost their parents. The 5k is also an out at back. Funds from the 5k will go towards college savings plans. Folks love our courses because they are flat and fast; the Half is downhill, then flat. When you reach the finish line, you will be greeted with festive music and a to-go bag of food. You can also pick up your custom medal at the finish line.

Do not attend if you have:

Participants can park at the Lower Lot Carlisle High School (430 School Street), (additional parking will be made know when comes available)

Half Marathon
Begins at 8:00am at Summerset Trailhead, in Carlisle, IA (out and back)
Bag drop at the start and baggage claim at the finish
Awards to top 3 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments.

10k
Race begins at 8:20 am at Summerset Trailhead, in Carlisle, IA (out and back)
Bag drop at the start and baggage claim at the finish
Awards to top 2 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments.


5k
Race begins at 8:00 am near the Summerset Trailhead, Carlisle, IA
Park at the Carlisle High School
Bag drop is available for this race
Awards to top 2 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments.

The Half Marathon course is out and back. It is flat with a limited elevation change of approx. 60 ft. You can look forward to scenic bridges, water stations, scenic lakes, woodlands, farmlands, wetlands and prairie along with volunteers dressed in entertaining costumes to cheer you on every 2 miles, as you make your way back to the finish line. The course showcases a rainbow of the state's natural heritage. The 10k and 5k are also both flat.

All courses are primarily on the beautiful Summerset Trail (former Rail Trail). Iowa is famous for its beautiful and picturesque cornfields, but for a taste of all things Iowa, the Summerset Trail in south-central Iowa is your ticket. All three races welcome all paces including walkers. You may hear roosters crowing and cows mooing all while taking in the beautiful fall colors.

The Half Marathon course will start at the trailhead in Carlisle. We will have a clear marker and cones set up approx. 6ft apart. As you wind your way to the start line, we will start two runners every 5 seconds and your time will begin when you cross the start line mat. You will stay on the trail for the first 5 miles where you will make a marked right hand turn into Summerset State Park where you will follow the signs and traffic control people as you make a loop around the lake. After the loop, you will exit the park and continue right (south) to Half Marathon turnaround. At the turn around, you are on the “home stretch” straight back to the finishing line where your medal awaits.
The 10k course is also out and back. It will start in Carlisle, Iowa at the head of Summerset State Park. The start will also be a rolling/timed start. Follow the trail until you see the 10K turnaround where you will head back to the finish line.

The 5k course is simply an out and back which starts close to the finish line. It, too, will allow for full width of paved road to allow plenty space for the start before funneling onto the paved Summerset Trail. Both the 10k and 5k courses will be accurately measured using Google Earth.

There will be plenty of restrooms at the start line as well as throughout the course.

Please register early to insure that you receive a medal, shirt, transportation, etc.

Race day packet pick-up and registration starts at 6:45 am on the east side of the Carlisle High School.

We offer Hillbilly Bag Drop for all three races- bring a bag, write your number on your bag. We will supervise your bag and bring it to the finish line and place it in order by bib number. Bag collection will be loosely monitored; in other words don't put valuables in your bag.

Thursday, November 5th in Indianola, Iowa at Thrive Church (707 E Euclid Ave) 5-7 pm
Friday. November 6th at Fitness Sports (8810 Swanson Blvd, Clive, IA 50325) 4-6 pm
LIMITED RACE DAY packet pick up

Details of packet pick up will be relayed at the beginning of the Race week by November 3rd!

If you trust your friend – we will allow them to pick up your packet for you.

Your super comfy ring-spun shirt will soon become a wardrobe favorite. Ring-spun cotton is created by continuously twisting and thinning the cotton strands, making a very fine rope of cotton fibers. The twisting makes the short hairs of the cotton stand out, resulting in a stronger yarn that is significantly softer. We DO take your size however after 10/14 size is not guaranteed. Please understand that we have to order shirts 3-4 weeks prior to race day. Our shirts are unisex, women should order one size down for a slimmer fit.

Everyone who crosses the finish line will receive a custom die cast medal.

Age Division Awards to top 3 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments for Half. Age Division Awards to top 2 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments for 10k & 5k. Awards include a $15 discount for next year's race. Age Division Awards will be emailed after the race.

This year we are offering prizes for Team registration.
Prizes are yet to be determined. They will be announced in early 2020.
Athletes will either input a Team name or choose an existing Team at time of electronic registration.
There are 3 Prizes categories.

1. Largest team, determined by the GMR database
2. Team with greatest amount raised for family in Belize, determined by the GMR database
3. Team with best costumes, determined by the Photoboth photographer

How it Works:
a) Runners will enter Team Name at time of registration
b) Team standing will be updated monthly Jan-August and weekly beginning September 15th
c) No changing team or adding team after registration
d) Prizes will be announced by 11 am at the Finish Line on race day

2019 Results are available here.

2018 Results are available here.

2017 Results are available here.

2016 Results are available here.

2015 Results are available here.

2014 Results are available here.

Course Records available here.

Click here for Reviews.

Click here for Race Raves.

Click here for 2014 City View article.

Click here for Misc Photo booth and race photos.

Click here for 2016 Panfoto Photos.

Click here for 2015 Panfoto Photos.

Click here for Half Marathon course map.

Click here for 10k course map.

Click here for the Greubel 5k course map.

We use Map My Run for our map because it has sharing technology that allows your friends and family to see you live while you are out on course. If you select the course and click "Do IT" your Map My Run contacts/friends can watch you race virtually. Note that Map My Run is not an accurate tool for measuring distance. We used Google Earth to accurately measure the 10k course. The Half Marathon is USTAF Certified. Course #IA15014MF

Join us in welcoming our returning athletes and their friends to our caring community. We are so proud and fortunate to live in an active community that offers so many things to do and see. It is our pleasure to share the unique beauty and hospitality that you can only find in Warren County.

We have received fantastic feedback from our post-race surveys. Our races are valued for being affordable yet quality events. Our family friendly events are a positive for our community. The majority of participants noted that they plan to return and would encourage friends to join them. We plan to grow this event and continue it for years to come. Endurance events such as ours are high profile events. They represent health and fitness, internal drive, perseverance, dreams and accomplishment! Our mission is to serve runners, walkers, and our community through a fun, safe, and scenic event. Our event is designed to draw participants of all abilities, ages, ethnic backgrounds.

We would love to add your name to our ever growing list of sponsors. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Julie Daugherty
Hillbilly Hike Sponsorship Chair
515-979-3428
daugherty_julie@yahoo.com

For event related questions please email iowa.hillbilly.hike@gmail.com or click on the Contact the Organizers button on the left-hand side of this page.