Festive Pines 5K

The Rules

1. The Course. Runners complete a 4.167 mile long lap (yard) every hour. (This adds up to 100 miles at the 24 hr mark!)2. Runners must be back in the starting corral at the top of the hour or they are disqualified. (There will be 3, 2, and 1 minute warnings given.) Runners then must head out onto the course to begin their next lap at the signal.3. Laps must be completed in 60 minutes. Race participants may not leave the course, other than to use the restroom, until they have completed the lap. (Runners will pass by a few restrooms along the course route.) Spectators and crew, including eliminated runners, are not allowed on the course. No pacers, and no personal aids, such as trekking poles, may be used when running the course. Slower runners must allow others to pass.4. Upon completion of a lap participants can receive aid from their crew. (This is when you grab some food, fluid, maybe a fresh pair of socks, and take a few minutes to rest before the next lap.)5. There is no race cap or end time or mileage.6. The winner is the last person to complete a lap, finishing one more lap than anyone else. Anyone other than the winner technically receives a DNF. However, all participants will receive their results in the form of a distance covered/laps completed. If no runner can complete one more lap than anyone else there is no winner.

The Course

The race will begin and end at the beach shelter house. Runners will follow the Lake Trail counter clockwise around Lake Ahquabi. The trail is mostly dirt, with some gravel. Like any trail race you’ll encounter roots, rocks, and uneven surfaces. While running you’ll spend much of your time under the cover of mature timber, but with views of the lake.Runners still running into overnight hours will be required to carry a headlamp. Additional lighting will also be added to the course for this portion, but it will still be dark.There will be water, Tailwind, and snacks at the starting corral as well as at an aid station near the mid-way point of the loop. You will pass by several bathrooms along the course, and there are additional bathrooms at the beach shelter house.

Packet pick up/Pre-race meeting

Early packet pick up Friday, September 25th - 5:00-7:00PM at Lake Ahqabi State Park. Day of packet pick up Saturday, September 26th - beginning at 6:00AM at the Lake Ahquabi beach shelter house. (16510 118th Ave., Indianola - the main/south entrance to the park)Crews may also begin setting up at 6:00AM on Saturday. There will be a pre-race meeting, which is mandatory for all participants, at 6:40AM Saturday.

Crew Area

The crew area will be in and around the beach shelter. Crews may bring tents or canopies. Vehicles will need to be parked in the adjacent parking lots and cannot be parked on the lawn. There will be very little access to electricity, so please plan accordingly. There are restrooms at the beach shelter house, as well as at the beach concessions area. We just ask that Crew members use restroom facilities while runners are on course, if at all possible. Crew areas need to be picked up at the conclusion of the race, or at sunrise the following morning if the race ends during overnight hours. Please be courteous and remove all trash from your area at departure. No loud music permitted and please leave your pets at home.

Lodging

There are several hotel options in Indianola. Camp sites can also be reserved through the Iowa DNR. Lake Ahquabi’s campground is located on the opposite side of the lake from the beach shelter house, where the race will be located. Participants will run through a portion of the campground, so it is a great place to spectate from. However, please remember no personal aid is allowed for runners while on the course.

Registration and Refunds

Early registration is appreciated and recommended, as all spots filled last year! There will be three pricing tiers this year, with prices increasing on April 1st, then again on September 1st. A t-shirt add on ($25) is an option for anyone who registers prior to the September 1 increase. No refunds or transfers.

For the Winner

The winner will receive a medal and prize package, including a $200 Scheels gift card. More specifics on this to come!Additionally, our 2026 race will be a bronze event under our Big's Backyard Ultra affiliation, with the winner receiving a bronze coin!

Race info and photos

For updates follow our facebook page

Event's current local time: 3:36 AM CT

Our annual Half Marathon & 10k races are a fundraiser for the Thrive church Mission Team. Between our four races we anticipate 650 signups. Three start lines, one finish line, all three races start at 8:30am. We offer chip timing, super soft ring spun shirts, custom die cast medals to all, trophies to top finishers, plus age division awards. The half marathon and 10k are a point-to-point races and we provide the bus transportation. We added a Greubel Memorial 5k in 2017 to fundraise for three kids in our church and community who tragically lost their parents. Funds from the 5k will go towards college savings plans.

Runners love our courses because they’re flat, fast, and fun! The half marathon starts with a gentle downhill before leveling out to a smooth finish. When you cross the finish line in Carlisle, Iowa, you’ll be welcomed with festive music, mouthwatering pie, biscuits and gravy, chocolate milk, and plenty of other tasty treats—served up by our amazing volunteers. Don’t forget to celebrate by ringing the PR Bell and snapping a few photos at our free, fun photo booth!

Participants can park at the Carlisle High School (430 School Street) and surrounding areas, bus transportation to the Half start line and 10k is provided. Buses begin loading at 6:30 a.m. The last bus will leave Carlisle at 7:45 a.m.

Walkers are allowed and encouraged to start early. Check Athletes email sent race week for details.

Half Marathon

Begins at 8:30am in Indianola, IA and ends in Carlisle, IA

Start line is close to the Indianola High School

Bus transportation to the start line provided

Bag drop at the start and baggage claim at the finish

Awards to top 3 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments.

Trophies to 1st, 2nd, & 3rd overall Man and Woman.

10k Summerset State park to Carlisle point-to-point race

Race begins at 8:30am in Summerset Park

Bus ride to start line.

Parking available at Carlisle school, Wycoff, and River Bottom Raceway

Bag drop at the start and baggage claim at the finish

Awards to top 2 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments.

Trophies to 1st and 2nd overall Man and Woman.

5k

Race begins at 8:30am near the Summerset Trailhead, Carlisle, IA

Parking available at Carlisle school, Wycoff, and River Bottom Raceway

Bag drop is available for this race too.

Awards to top 2 Men & Women in 5-yr age increments.

Trophies to 1st overall Man and Woman.

Rest Rooms. There are plenty of portables at all the start lines, there are also restrooms at the 1 mile mark for the half. 10k/5k participants will find restrooms at the Start/finish line. For the half Marathon, rest rooms will be available about 1/2 way in summerset state park. Both neighboring towns of Indianola and Carlisle (just southeast of Des Moines, the state capital) are friendly and have plenty of amenities. The Half Marathon start is in the larger city of Indianola, where the trail begins and winds through the city itself for about a mile and a half before striking out into a wilderness of red and white oak trees, owls, and fox.

Please register early to ensure that you receive a medal, shirt, transportation, etc. Shirt sizes are ordered Oct. 22nd, 2026

Race Day packet pick-up and registration starts at 6:30 am. 95 IA-5, Carlisle, IA 50047 The buses for the Half Marathon and 10k will arrive at 6:30 am with the last bus leaving at 7:45.

We offer Hillbilly Bag Drop for both races. Hillbilly Bag Drop = a car with the trunk open and a Hillbilly there taking your bag and writing your bib # on it. You will find the car parked close and convenient to the start line. Our bag drop Hillbillies are so helpful that they are ALSO sweeping the half course to collect discarded clothing that is found in the 1st 1/2 mile prior to entering the trail. They will bring those discarded items to the finish, and you can find that stuff in a pile marked Lost and Found. It will be next to the Finish Line Bag Claim. Bags will be in order by bib number. Bag collection will be loosely monitored, in other words don't put valuables in your bag.

Race packet Pick up and walk-up registration.

Thursday, 11/5 Thrive Church 707 East Euclid, Indianola, IA 5:30-6:30 pm

Friday, 11/6, from 4-6 pm will be TBD

Saturday, 11/7 From 6:30-7:45 at 95 IA-5, Carlisle, IA 50047

Put on your shoes and come discover the wild beauty of Iowa by participating in the Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon, 10k, & Greubel Memorial 5k in Carlisle! Whether you're ready to tackle the 21.1 km of the half marathon, take on the challenge of the 10 km or enjoy the Greubel Memorial 5k, this race promises you a total immersion in the nature and the forests of Warren County 🌳.