Whiterock Ultra

COME RUN WHITEROCK!

Join us on Saturday, July 25 at the Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids, Iowa, for the 8th running of the Whiterock Ultra! All race-day activities will be held on the trails of the scenic and sprawling Whiterock Conservancy. Whiterock is a 5,500-acre nonprofit land trust nestled along seven miles of the Middle Raccoon River Valley. This hidden gem in central Iowa has 40 miles of scenic trails and balances sustainable agriculture, natural resource protection and public recreation on the landscape. Our goal is to raise visibility for the beauty and accessibility of Whiterock and to support its conservancy efforts. **Proceeds from the race are donated back to Whiterock Conservancy each year.**

COURSE OVERVIEW

50K: The 50K race will start on Saturday, July 25, at 7 a.m. The course consists of three loops: a RED loop, WHITE loop and BLUE loop (loop descriptions below). Cutoff time for the 50K: 5 p.m. (10 hours). The 50k course has approximately 3,000 feet of climb. 50 Mile: The 50-mile race will start 7 hours earlier on Friday, July 24 INTO Saturday, July 25th… at 12:01 a.m., midnight! The 50-mile consists of two RED Loops, two WHITE loops, and one BLUE loop. Cutoff time for the 50 mile: 5 p.m. (17 hours). The 50 mile course has approximately 5,000 feet of climb. **NOTE: There will two full aid stations that runners will pass through every 7-8 miles. See below for turn-by-turn descriptions of each loop.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Whiterock Ultra is about an hour from Des Moines, and 1.5 hours from Omaha, making it easily accessible for runners looking for a scenic race with an easy drive to and from. Whiterock Conservancy 1314 Fig Avenue Coon Rapids, IA 50058 From Des Moines: From the I35/I80, take exit 127 for Highway 141. Take 141 North until you reach Fig Ave [ N56]. Turn left (south) on Fig Ave [N56] for two miles until you come to a bridge. Turn left (east) into the River Campground (start/finish) just before the bridge. From I80 East: Take exit 60 onto US 71 N in Pymosa. Turn right onto US-71 N for 12.7 miles to IA 44 East. Turn right onto IA 44 East for 9.4 miles to Chestnut Road. Turn left (north) onto Chestnut Road for 13.8 miles and continue onto State Highway 73 for a little over 1 mile to IA-141 East. Turn right onto IA-141 E and follow signs for Whiterock Conservancy and the River Campground (start/finish). From I80 West: Take exit 60 onto US 71 N in Pymosa. Turn left onto US-71 N for 12.7 miles to IA 44 East. Turn right onto IA 44 East for 9.4 miles to Chestnut Road. Turn left (north) onto Chestnut Road for 13.8 miles and continue onto State Highway 73 for a little over 1 mile to IA-141 East. Turn right onto IA-141 E and follow signs for Whiterock Conservancy and the River Campground (start/finish).

AWARDS

Custom awards to the top 3 finishers (male & female) for the 50K and 50 mile. All finishers will receive a unique award.

REFUNDS/ROLLOVERS/TRANSFERS

No refunds or rollovers will be allowed after Thursday, June 25, 2026, which is 30 days prior to race day. Transfers (meaning the transfer of your bib to another runner) will be allowed until Saturday, July 11, 2026.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Hammer Nutrition POET SILO Performance Project

STAY THE WEEKEND

Whiterock offers a variety of overnight accommodations. There are cabins for rent, two bed and breakfasts within 15 minutes drive or you can camp for a small fee onsite at the race start/finish line! Consider staying for the weekend to enjoy the park and spend time with your running friends. Additional lodging is available 25 miles away. Restaurants are nearby about 8 miles away.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

Sometimes, there are weather events beyond our control. (A little rain in the forecast won’t stop us.) But if there is a threat of more severe weather, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety of all participants, volunteers, and spectators. All decisions made by race officials are non negotiable. If we deem the course unsafe because of weather conditions, here’s what you need to know. Race officials may delay the event, change the route or cancel the race in case of extreme weather or other conditions that may affect the safety and health of participants. We will do everything in our power to hold a safe event. The race can be delayed for a maximum of two hours from start time. If severe weather hasn’t cleared within two hours, the race may be shortened or canceled. The race director in consultation with law enforcement, fire/EMS, Conservancy Staff, and other officials, will monitor the weather and make a decision if any action is necessary. If the race start of the 50 mile event is delayed more than 2 hours, participants will be entered into the 50Km race starting at 7am. If the race start of the 50Km event is delayed more than 2 hours the course will be shortened to accommodate a course cut off of 7pm. Aid stations may have little to no support after 5pm so please plan accordingly. Race officials may decide to shut down or alter the course after the race has started if weather conditions deteriorate and trails are too wet to handle abuse from the race. Runners will be asked to take shelter at the closest aid station or other safe location if weather is severe. If you refuse to take shelter and continue, you do so at your own risk. Aid stations will be unsupported at this time and you will not be eligible for top-finisher awards. If severe weather alters the event mid race, participants will have their time paused as to when they crossed the River house aid station timing mat. The race will resume 30 minutes after race officials give the all clear. Your time will resume when you check out of the River house aid station by crossing over the timing mat. Volunteer course marshals will be released from their positions if the race is canceled. In the event of inclement weather, entry fees are nonrefundable. Proceeds are donated to Whiterock Conservancy and your entry fee has been used to help cover the cost of the event. If there is excessive rain (>~1”), it is possible that the course may be altered to include some gravel roads as an alternative to the trails.

QUESTIONS

Email us at [email protected]!