The Hill Raisin' Half & Fun Run

04/21/2026

Who's ready to be a Hill Raiser?!🔥

Just a quick patina and medals will be ready to go! The finisher medals are a mini replica of the Brent's Trail bur oak leaf trail markers🍂

04/19/2026

Be sure to register by midnight on Tuesday, April 21 to get a race T shirt! That's just THREE days! Registration will remain open after this date until the participant cap is met.

In the age of AI, we are very proud to use an original logo created by local artist Miriam Twedt.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriam-twedt

04/13/2026

We'd like to give a shoutout and a huge THANK YOU to our generous sponsors! Thank you, sponsors, for making the first ever Hill Raisin' Half and Fun Run possible and for helping to showcase our beautiful Loess Hills in such an adventurous way☀️

Friends Of The Loess Hills State Forest And Preparation Canyon State Park
Harrison County Conservation Board, Iowa
AgriVision Equipment
Diamond Collision
Family 1st Dental of Onawa
Logan State Bank
RXC Tires
Sunshine Foods Onawa
Vetter Equipment
The Barn Loft Home Decor, Accents, & Artisan Market

04/05/2026

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE RACE COURSE:

The race course is largely located on Brent's Trail, established in 2019 to honor the late Brent Olson who served as Area Forester at Loess Hills State Forest. Brent's Trail and the race course feature a variety of trail types including mowed grass, dirt drainages in the timber, narrow goat paths through the prairie, and gravel roads. https://tinyurl.com/c8wbfz8k

Part of Brent's Trail's charm is that it is largely unmaintained (other than mowing certain areas and of course clearing woody debris), which lends to a truly wild experience. Race participants should expect native vegetation growing along the trail, very steep slopes, and a variety of uneven surfaces. Trail shoes, tall socks, and bug spray are recommended!🌾🌳

03/19/2026

We are just under 2 months out from race day! Thank you to all who have registered!

Stay tuned for more posts about race day details, course info, medals and awards, and more!

02/25/2026

Here is the Half Marathon course! Huge thank you to course manager Carter Oliver for running it for the first time. Please note that rather than finishing at the start line, the course will turn into the parking area and finish near the registration tent (maps of parking/registration to come soon): https://strava.app.link/Ru99tt4710b

Carter told me after his run, "No one is going to accuse you of having too easy of a race!"

View Carter Oliver's run on January 10, 2026 | Strava

02/17/2026

Couldn't resist the chance to get out in the beautiful weather this weekend and scout the Fun Run course! It also provided the opportunity to get the course data on Strava: https://strava.app.link/bUmPtXfYO0b

Half Marathon course will be shared soon!