Wild Driftless Adventure Race
About the Event
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.
The Wild Driftless Adventure Race brings an exciting race distance to Elkader, Iowa on October 3, 2026. Don't miss this beautiful event!
Races Offered
No race distances have been announced yet.
About Elkader
Wild Driftless Adventure Race takes place in Elkader, Iowa, United States. The local timezone is America/Chicago.
Runner Reviews
Based on 0 reviews
Share your thoughts
If you've participated in this event, share your experience with other runners
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Race information has been sourced from the event's official website and other publicly available resources. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the official website directly. If you notice any incorrect or missing information, don't hesitate to reach out to us by email.
Nearby Events
Death by 5k Waterloo
Gladiator Assault Challenge
Hometown Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Sioux Falls
Iowa Trail Run Series: Ledges
Death by 5k Waterloo
Gladiator Assault Challenge
Hometown Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Sioux Falls