The Grimes Farm run is a great race held just outside Marshalltown, IA. It has a 1.6M, 5K, 8K+ and little kids race. The 8K+ envelops the whole trail system, both grass and paved around the Grimes Farm Nature Center. There is only one major hill and that comes within the first mile. This course is set amongst a beautiful conservation area that the Grimes family has wisely set aside. This year, due to rain immediately beforehand, parts of the course were slick and muddy, but that's normal for trail running, especially when so much of the trail is grass.
The 8K+ ends up being about 5.2 miles. There is plenty of parking, nice tech shirts, (with different colors for guys and gals!), a runner's bag, and various other goodies. In addition, there was plenty of food afterwards including bagels, donuts, fresh fruit, water and Gatorade. The race also has their own medals which go three deep in all age categories. Little kids in the little kids run (100 yards+/-) all get a medal. In addition there are a few fun categories like fastest family which we won this year!