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Wild Driftless Adventure Race

Sat, Oct 3, 2026, 8:00 AM CDT

Location
Elkader, IA
707 S High St, 52043
Type
ADVENTURE
Official registration

Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.

At a glance

Explore Iowa's stunning Driftless Region in a multi-sport adventure race designed for all abilities, from first-timers to seasoned competitors.

  • Scenic
  • Competitive

Discover the Wild Driftless Adventure Race in Elkader, Iowa, a multi-sport challenge set amidst the stunning Driftless Region. Featuring soaring limestone bluffs, clear streams, and scenic gravel roads, this event offers trekking, biking, and paddling. With options for 2-4 person teams or soloists, the course is thoughtfully designed to welcome first-timers while also providing a challenge for seasoned adventure racers.

What to expect

  • Navigate diverse terrain by foot, bike, and canoe through NE Iowa's scenic landscapes.
  • Choose between a 9-hour or 5-hour time limit, with options for teams or solo participation.
  • Engage in special tasks and an optional ropes section, suitable for all skill levels.

Standout details

  • Explore NE Iowa's scenic Driftless Region
  • Trekking, biking, and paddling disciplines
  • Options for soloists or teams of 2-4
  • Course designed for all ability levels

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Distances & registration

2 options

Registration for all distances is through the official signup link above.

  • Wild Driftless Adventure Race

    Sat, Oct 3, 8:00 AM CDT · From $122.90

    Opens Jan 4, 2026, 7:00 PM CST · Closes Sep 26, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT

  • Wild Driftless Lite

    Sat, Oct 3, 12:00 PM CDT · From $85.80

    Opens Jan 4, 2026, 7:00 PM CST · Closes Sep 26, 2026, 7:59 PM CDT

The course

  • Mixed
  • Rolling
  • Timed race
From the organizer

REGISTRATION Opens January 5. Join us for next year's Wild Driftless on October 3, 2026!

Soaring limestone bluffs, crystal-clear trout streams and fast-moving rivers, old-growth forests, single-track mountain biking, and some of the most scenic gravel roads you’ll find anywhere in the world. This isn’t just the Iowa cornfields you expect—this is the driftless region!

The Wild Driftless Adventure Race will take you into some of the most scenic areas of NE Iowa, featuring trekking, biking, and paddling for teams of 2-4 or soloists. The course is designed for all ability levels with an eye toward serving as a fantastic entry-level event for first-timers AND challenging the most seasoned adventure racers.

2 OPTIONS FOR TEAMS & SOLOISTS WILD DRIFTLESS 9-hour time limit

Trekking (on foot) Biking (gravel roads, paved roads, and trails, including single-track mountain biking) Paddling (canoes in flat-water and gentle rivers/streams) Special tasks, including optional ropes section

WILD DRIFTLESS LITE 5-hour time limit

Trekking (on foot) Biking (gravel roads, paved roads, and grassy/double-track trails) Special tasks, including optional ropes section No paddling

USARA Membership Required

When registering, be sure to click the box at the bottom under "Clubs" for USARA. You can either purchase a single-day membership for $8 or a yearly membership for $35. If you are purchasing a single-event membership, on the "Select your members" page (with the waiver at the bottom) be sure to uncheck the  "Start membership immediately" button and select the date of the race (October 3, 2026).

USARA provides sanctioning for our event and secondary insurance for participants.

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