Kick off your running season at the long-favored Marion Arts Festival Half Marathon & 5K, a premier community event in Marion, Iowa . The races, starting at 7:30 AM, serve as the perfect opener to the nationally acclaimed Marion Arts Festival, offering a unique blend of athletic challenge and cultural celebration . Participants can choose between the 13.1-mile half marathon, featuring a scenic tour of the city's parks, trails, and historic districts, or the more accessible 5K run-walk . The festive atmosphere continues at the finish line, where runners are rewarded with super soft event t-shirts, unique artist-crafted awards for top finishers, and instant entry into the vibrant arts festival . After crossing the finish line in the heart of Uptown Marion, you are invited to spend the day exploring the free festival, which showcases fine art from 50 national artists, live music, and local food vendors . Known for its friendly, "come-as-you-are" spirit, this event warmly welcomes everyone from serious competitors to casual walkers and families . It's more than just a race; it's a joyful community tradition that celebrates health, art, and local spirit on a perfect spring morning in the Midwest.
Races Offered
Marion Arts Festival 5K Run
May 16, 2026
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Distance —
5K
terrain
Type —
Running
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07:30
Marion Arts Festival 5K Walk
May 16, 2026
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Distance —
5K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
07:30
Marion Arts Festival Half Marathon
May 16, 2026
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Distance —
21.1K
terrain
Type —
Running
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07:30
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Marion.
thermostatTemperature
12.0° / 23.1°
wb_sunnyFeels like
9.3° / 20.8°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
11h 30m
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Avg rainfall
2.9 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
13.5 km/h (Gentle breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
Moderate
terrain
Course conditions
Firm and slightly soft
sunny
Max UV Index
High (6.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
63.7%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
05:52
nightlight
Sunset
20:24
About Marion
Learn more about the host city, Marion.
Marion is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26,294 at the 2000 census and was 41,535 in 2020, an increase of 58%. The city is located next to Cedar Rapids and part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area. Marion was designated as the first Linn County seat before it was moved to the larger neighbor Cedar Rapids in 1919. Today, Marion is a primarily suburban community with a historic downtown center, and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Iowa.
