Living History Farms Race

Living History Farms Race

Living History Farms Race

( 2 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Urbandale,
    Iowa,
    United States
  • November
  • Other
  • Mud/Obstacle Race
  • Event Website

Melinda Urick

Des Moines, Iowa, United States
24 13
2016
"7 Miles of Fun (if you like being cold and being dirty)"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Melinda Urick's thoughts:

This year was the 38th annual Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa — an off-road race, which is something of a cross country meets obstacle course fun run. I’ve been told that THIS is the race that I had to do in Fall, and it did not disappoint! For this year's race, winter temperatures returned to Iowa.

Registration and Cost: Advertised as “the best cross country race,” Living History Farms Race cost $44 after fees; there was a $5 discount for being a Capital Striders member. I think the race is capped at 7,000 participants. There are both individual and team registrations.

Expo and Packet Pick-up: Packet pick-up was the evening before race day at the visitor center at Living History Farms (which closed at 8pm); there was also bib pick-up available the morning of the race. Bibs were at one table and t-shirts were in a separate back room. There were a couple extra vendors set up in the hall on the way towards the exit, mostly handing out race discount flyers.

Free Swag: No finishers medals at this race, but there is a wonderful long-sleeve comfy t-shirt!

Parking & Transportation: The organizers said that parking would be limited, so we arrived about 40 minutes before the race and didn’t have any problems; having the police directing traffic made for a speedy entrance into the grounds.

Course: This year, the course changed a bit (though I have no previous experience). Creeks, mud, trenches, hills, cornfields… the course had it all! There is a strong recommendation to not bring your phone or keys, and I did not bring either. For as many people expected to run this race, all the race logistics felt incredibly well organized. I should note that there are NO water or fuel stops along the course, which actually kind of surprised me, given that it would have been difficult on this course to carry along your own hydration. There is an ambulance at the halfway point though, should you need it. There are some points on the course where there is a back-up, mostly at the trenches and creek crossings.

There was a hilarious moment about 5 miles into the race where the course split — with arrows pointing to a marked “shorter and harder” route, and the other “longer and easier.” It seemed everyone was going the harder path.

Start Line: Plenty of Kybos (port o' pots) — though lines were pretty long before the race. There was one big corral and kind of a guess to everyone’s pace. People-watching at the start was great, as there were so many fun costumes!

Finish Line: YAY, I loved that the race had a completely separate “refreshments area” festival just beyond the finish line chute. A post-race meal of hot beef stew was included with entry fee, thanks to Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant and the Iowa Beef Industry Council; there was also pumpkin bars and cider, hot coffee and chocolate milk. And yep, there were doughnuts!

Charity: Proceeds from the race supports Living History Farms and more — giving over $1.1 million over the last 13 years to the Living History Farms (a not-for-profit museum).

This race made good on all its promises of being cold, wet, muddy and dirty — and it was an absolute blast!

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