Miles for Minds: 5k and 1 Mile Literacy Quest

About the Event

Miles for Minds is a community driven initiative built on a simple belief: Make reading fun.

There are 3 main events: The In-person 5k run/walk, the virtual 5k, and the Literacy Quest (1 mile activity walk).

Miles for Minds is a chip timed 5k run/walk located at the Historic Band Shell in East Park. The route will follow the trails of East Park following the beautiful Winnebago, before turning through town and eventually ending in a sprint finish in front of the band shell.

The 5k will be followed by a family, untimed, literacy themed, Literacy Quest walk. This will include several stations set up along the trails of East Park themed around their favorite children's books.

There will be food available by a local favorite food truck, The LaHa sisters, so everyone will have the chance to fill up with delicious food once all of the activities are finished!

The digital 5k will not be chip timed but submissions for completion will be the day of the event from 5:00am to 10:00pm. Medals can be picked up at a later date at an announced location.

Through this local 5k, other local events, and partnerships, Miles for Minds raises funds and awareness to support literacy and learning opportunities for children and families. Whether it’s providing books, supporting reading programs, or creating access to educational resources, every step taken helps build stronger minds and brighter futures.

This isn’t just about running, it’s about coming together as a community to invest in the next generation. Participants, sponsors, and supporters all play a role in turning movement into meaningful impact.

At its core, Miles for Minds is about making reading synonymous with Mason City.

Make sure to follow the official Facebook page for the latest updates.

Races Offered

Miles for Minds: 5k (Virtual)

Sep 12, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

05:00

sell

$35.00

Miles for Minds: 5k (In Person)

Sep 12, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$35.00

Miles for Minds: 5k and Literacy Quest (1 mile activity walk)

Sep 12, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$40.00

Miles for Minds: Literacy Quest (1 mile activity walk)

Sep 12, 2026

straighten

Distance — 1 Miles

terrain

Type — Running

timer

10:00

sell

$10.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Mason City.

thermostat Temperature

14.6° / 24.8°

wb_sunny Feels like

13.1° / 23.2°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

10h 46m

water_drop Avg rainfall

2.0 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

13.0 km/h (Gentle breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Moderate

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (5.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

69.2%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:53

nightlight Sunset

19:21

About Mason City

Learn more about the host city, Mason City.

Mason City is a city in Iowa, renowned for its collection of architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright and other Prairie School architects, considered the most significant concentration of such architecture outside of Oak Park, Illinois.