Alpine peaks above clouds at golden hour

Mines of Spain Trail Races

4 Miles / 7 Miles / Half Marathon·Dubuque, Iowa·August 9, 2025
3 distances

Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash

About This Event

The Mines of Spain Trail Races brings runners to eastern Iowa's historic mining region each August, offering three distance options through the Mines of Spain Recreation Area near Dubuque. This community-focused event has built a loyal following since 2013, consistently selling out in minutes when registration opens. The race showcases the area's natural beauty while maintaining an intimate, grassroots atmosphere that emphasizes camaraderie over competition. What sets this event apart is its commitment to sustainability and value, with organizers changing race swag annually to reduce waste while keeping entry fees low. The post-race celebration features brick oven pizza from local vendors and craft beer, creating a festive atmosphere that encourages runners to linger and connect. A free kids' trail race on Friday evening adds a family-friendly dimension that reflects the race's community roots. The event operates with a no-transfer, no-refund policy but offers one-year deferrals for registered runners who notify organizers at least 30 days before race day. Distance switching is permitted up until packet pickup, accommodating runners who want to adjust their challenge based on training or conditions.

Choose Your Distance

Alpine peaks above clouds at golden hour

4 Miles

The Mines of Spain Trail Races brings runners to eastern Iowa's historic mining region each August, offering three distance options through the Mines of Spain Recreation Area near Dubuque. This community-focused event has built a loyal following since 2013, consistently selling out in minutes when registration opens. The race showcases the area's natural beauty while maintaining an intimate, grassroots atmosphere that emphasizes camaraderie over competition. What sets this event apart is its commitment to sustainability and value, with organizers changing race swag annually to reduce waste while keeping entry fees low. The post-race celebration features brick oven pizza from local vendors and craft beer, creating a festive atmosphere that encourages runners to linger and connect. A free kids' trail race on Friday evening adds a family-friendly dimension that reflects the race's community roots. The event operates with a no-transfer, no-refund policy but offers one-year deferrals for registered runners who notify organizers at least 30 days before race day. Distance switching is permitted up until packet pickup, accommodating runners who want to adjust their challenge based on training or conditions.

Steep mountain ridgeline with exposed rock

7 Miles

The Mines of Spain Trail Races brings runners to eastern Iowa's historic mining region each August, offering three distance options through the Mines of Spain Recreation Area near Dubuque. This community-focused event has built a loyal following since 2013, consistently selling out in minutes when registration opens. The race showcases the area's natural beauty while maintaining an intimate, grassroots atmosphere that emphasizes camaraderie over competition. What sets this event apart is its commitment to sustainability and value, with organizers changing race swag annually to reduce waste while keeping entry fees low. The post-race celebration features brick oven pizza from local vendors and craft beer, creating a festive atmosphere that encourages runners to linger and connect. A free kids' trail race on Friday evening adds a family-friendly dimension that reflects the race's community roots. The event operates with a no-transfer, no-refund policy but offers one-year deferrals for registered runners who notify organizers at least 30 days before race day. Distance switching is permitted up until packet pickup, accommodating runners who want to adjust their challenge based on training or conditions.

Alpine peaks above clouds at golden hour

Half Marathon

The Mines of Spain Trail Races brings runners to eastern Iowa's historic mining region each August, offering three distance options through the Mines of Spain Recreation Area near Dubuque. This community-focused event has built a loyal following since 2013, consistently selling out in minutes when registration opens. The race showcases the area's natural beauty while maintaining an intimate, grassroots atmosphere that emphasizes camaraderie over competition. What sets this event apart is its commitment to sustainability and value, with organizers changing race swag annually to reduce waste while keeping entry fees low. The post-race celebration features brick oven pizza from local vendors and craft beer, creating a festive atmosphere that encourages runners to linger and connect. A free kids' trail race on Friday evening adds a family-friendly dimension that reflects the race's community roots. The event operates with a no-transfer, no-refund policy but offers one-year deferrals for registered runners who notify organizers at least 30 days before race day. Distance switching is permitted up until packet pickup, accommodating runners who want to adjust their challenge based on training or conditions.