The Blazing 5k

About the Event

Welcome to the fastest 5k in the Midwest!

Event doubles as the USATF Iowa Road 5k State Championship.

We will be making a big race announcement in the near future for the 2026 race!

2025 RESULTS

2026 marks the 7th annual Blazing 5k. The last 6 years have welcomed elites and runners of all types. The 5k course starts on the back loop in Water Works Park and shoots out the gun going clockwise on the flat and fast loop. At the end of the loop the racers are greeted by a prize for the first person to cross the mat. From there it's another flat and fast main loop going clockwise. This area offers plenty of space for spectators and the field can be seen for almost the entirety of this loop. It finishes on the screaming fast and long straightaway to the finish.

USATF Certified Course: IA21006MF

The 7th edition of the event date is now taking place on October 4th, 2025.

Prizes:

2026 Prize Structure: See Below

Overall 1st M/F : $300 + Shoes

Overall 2nd M/F: $200 + Shoes

Overall 3rd M/F: $100 + Shoes

Overall 4th M/F: $75

Overall 5th M/F: $50

Beyond Recovery Halfway Premium: $100 + Shoes

Men's Elite Team Competition: $500

Top 3 men score, lowest total wins. (Cross Country Style)
Tie broke by heads up of lead runners
Unlimited roster
Must be registered in the elite category

Women's Elite Team Competition: $500

Top 3 women score, lowest total wins. (Cross Country Style)
Tie broke by heads up of lead runners
Unlimited roster
Must be registered in the elite category

5k Course Record Bonus: $100

Male: Edwin Kurgat - 13:47 (2022)
Female: Kassie Parker -15:46 (2024)

5k All-Comers Record Bonus: $TBD

Male: Frank Omara - 13:37 (1992)
Female: Shelly Steely - 15:30 (1992)

2025 Total Planned Purse: $3150 + Shoes (x8 pairs)

2024 Total Purse: $3350 + Shoes (8xpairs)

2023 Total Purse: $3540 + 8 pairs of free shoes + Coeur Gear (Women's Winner)

2022 5k Prize Purse: $2100 +shoes

2021 Blazing 5k Prize Purse: $1750 + shoes

2021 10k Invite Prize Purse: $2250 + shoes + gear

2020 Prize Purse: $600 + shoes + gift cards

Elites:

Male cutoff 16:30
Male Free Entry 14:45 or faster
Free Entry Sign Up Opens 4/14/2026
Female cutoff 20:00
Female Free Entry 19:00 or faster
Free Entry Sign Up Opens 4/14/2026
Feel free to reach out to Tyson Wieland @ Tysonw123@live.com

Races Offered

Elite Male 5k Race (Cutoff 16:30)

Oct 04, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$15.00

Elite Female 5k Race (Cutoff 20:00)

Oct 04, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$15.00

Open 5K Race (No cutoff time)

Oct 04, 2026

straighten

Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:30

sell

$15.00

Weather History

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for October in Des Moines.

thermostat Temperature

9.8° / 19.7°

wb_sunny Feels like

6.5° / 16.4°

light_mode Avg sunshine hours

8h 33m

water_drop Avg rainfall

2.4 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

14.4 km/h (Gentle breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Low

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (4.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

62.4%

wb_twilight Sunrise

07:28

nightlight Sunset

18:31

About Des Moines

Learn more about the host city, Des Moines.

Des Moines, capital of Iowa, is in the western region of the American Midwest. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and the annual site of the Iowa State Fair.