IN THE NEWSLETTER

Results and Photos: To Grandmother's House We Go • 100 Miles in November • Coffee Run Series • Neil Smith Trail Reopened • Sycamore 8 • Tell Us About You • CS Turkeys Trail • Iowa Race Calendar • Sponsors

TO GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE WE GO

 
 

Congratulations to Everyone Who Ran To Grandmother’s House We Go!


A little rain, a little mud, and a whole lot of fun!


Wet weather and muddy trails couldn't stop 133 runners from enjoying a great morning in the woods.


A big thank you to our volunteers and everyone who helped make this year's race a success!


Race photos and official results are now available!


The photos are yours to download, share, and enjoy! When posting your favorites, please tag our talented photographer, Terry Kruse (@terry.kruse.771), for capturing all the muddy smiles and memorable moments!

Congratulations to our Capital Striders members who earned overall and age-group honors.

Check out the table below to see the winners and their placements.

5K

Male 30-49

Yuri Fedirko (1) - 1st Overall

Adam Stonehocker (2) - 2nd Overall

Hashim Abdinasir (3)

Female 50+

Heather Stilborn (3)

10K

Male 30-49

Devon Gurnett (1) - 1st Overall

Male 50+

John Kromminga (2)

Female 30-49

Sarah Kromminga (2) - 2nd Overall

Female 50+

Julie Kneale (2)

15K

Male 50+

Jason Laughlin (1) - 3rd Overall

Dana Cleveland (3)

Female 30-49

Carrie Kruse (3)

Female 50+

Susanne Kennedy (1)

Deanna Konkol (3)

 
 

100 MILES IN NOVEMBER

Does the thought of colder weather and winter's approach get you down? Fall is the perfect time to keep moving, enjoy the cooler temperatures, and stay consistent with your running.


The challenge is simple: 100 miles in 30 days, or 3.3 miles a day. 


There is no entry fee, and there will be prizes. Everyone is welcome to participate and will be eligible for the weekly prize drawings, with Capital Striders members qualifying for the larger prize drawings.

COFFEE RUN SERIES

These informal runs fill the time between the Capital Striders Summer Run Series in November and the start of the Winter Run Series in January. Runners and walkers of all paces are welcome!


The runs start at 7:30 am, and routes are typically 6–7 miles.


Afterward, stay for coffee and conversation. It's a great way to stay active, catch up with friends, and enjoy the running community throughout the off-season.


To be added to the notification list, email Kristin Adkins.


November 14 - Grounds for Celebration

November 21 - Chain & Spoke

November 28 - Smokey Row

December 5 - No coffee run. Join us at the Sycamore 8 Trail Run

December 12 - The Slow Down Coffee Co.

December 19 - Caribou Coffee

December 26 - Scenic Route Bakery

January 1 - Capital Strider’s Mitten Run and Potluck

January 2 - Northern Vessel Coffee

NEAL SMITH TRAIL REOPENED

The sinkhole on the Neal Smith Trail and Lutheran Hospital Boardwalk has been repaired. The trail is now reopened.

SYCAMORE 8 TRAIL RUN

 

Sycamore 8 Trail Run


Saturday, December 5, 2026

9:00 am

4301 NW 66th Ave, Johnston


This hidden gem winds along the Sycamore Trail, a single-track dirt path that runs beside the Des Moines River. Expect about 8 miles of well-groomed, flowing singletrack.

WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR RUNNING JOURNEY

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF WHAT MAKES THE CAPITAL STRIDERS SO SPECIAL!

Your experiences, challenges, and triumphs. Your story might be featured in the newsletter and on social media. As a thank-you, you will be entered into a drawing for a free race entry (membership required to win). Your journey inspires us, and we look forward to sharing it with the rest of our running community.

CAPITAL STRIDERS' TURKEYS

Love trail running and nature? Join the Capital Striders' Turkeys for group runs on scenic trails, great company, and a supportive community. All paces are welcome!

UPCOMING RUNNING EVENTS

In addition to the Capital Striders races, there are great races across Iowa year-round.


From small-town fun runs to larger competitive races, there’s something for everyone.


If you’re interested in running events around Iowa, check out the Fitness Sports or Runnerstuff.org race calendars.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Gold Level ($5,000+)

Silver Level ($2,500 - $4,999)

Bronze Level ($1,000 - $2,499)

Sustaining Level ($500 - $999)

Curt and Nancy Hoegh

Sustaining Members (Current as of October 13, 2026)


Aaron Wheelock • Alan and Mary Gross • Angel Shawda • Ann Flood • Bernie Beck • Brian Benjamin • Bruce Huckfeldt • Carl Voss • Charles and Rusty Snyder • Connor Gronski • Curt Hoegh • Dale Finnegan • Dana Danley • David Kent • David Pullara • Dennis Judd • Dennis Wheeler • Dianne and John Liepa • Duke Reichardt • Elaine Van Dyck • Emily and Nick Webb • Eric Conrad • Frank Hilton • Glen Dippold • Heather Stilborn • Jackie Young • Jason Hahn • Jeff Perry • Joanne Sackett • Julie Schneider • Kathy Bowen • Kevin Cooney • Kristin Adkins • Lambert Blank, Jr. • Melinda Urick • Michael Tiedens • Nathan Wagner • Paul Grinvalds • Paxton Bennett • Rob Semelroth • Ruth Comer • Sara Schwendinger • Sharon Tahtinen • Simon Casady • Steve Halstead • Susanne Kennedy • Tim Schott • Thomas Mcbride • Tod McComb • Todd Schemper • Tyson Wieland

Becoming a Strider member offers numerous benefits, including weekly emails with running updates and access to a supportive community through social media. Members enjoy race entry discounts, merchant discounts at fitness-related businesses, and exclusive club events. Group training runs provide opportunities to stay motivated and connect with fellow runners.


Annual membership options are $30 for individuals or $50 per family.

Become a sustaining member for an additional $25 per year.