It's easy. Join the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races e-mail list. Click Here.
Once you have registered for any of our races, we will automatically add you to the subscription list.
The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races are historically the third Saturday in July. This year's races will be held on Saturday, July 16th, 2022.
Registration for all races opens March 1, 2022.
It's easy! Click on the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races registration link and scroll to the event distance category of your choice to sign up. Join us!
To view registration fees and fee increases associated with the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races in 2023, click here.
The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races typically do not sell out or have a cap on the number of participants. Should this policy need to be updated, race officials will communicate any changes as soon as possible. Registration closes at 5:00PM the day before the event. Day of registration is not available.
Volunteering with the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce for the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races is an exciting way to share the fun and excitement of race day.
Volunteers are key to a successful event. Every task and detail ensures a positive overall experience. There are many different volunteer opportunities associated with the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races. To get involved, email kiley@okobojichamber.com or call 712-332-2107.
Each year over 600 runners participate from all across the country. We are excited to welcome this event back and hope to continue to grow it each and every year!
2022 Counts: 711
2023 Counts: Coming soon!
Yes. To ensure your proper athlete apparel sizing request, consider registering before the July 3 price increase.
The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races presents a medallion in all race divisions to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups; 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & over. Finisher medals will be give to the first 250 Half Marathon finishers and 225 Triathlon finishers.
Yes. The University of Okoboji Homecoming races are all chip-timed with the MYLAPS Sports Timing system. The MYLAPS timing device is attached to the backside of your race number/bib. Pin it to the front of your shirt on race day. There’s no need to activate it before the race or to return it after the race.
No, the current race routes are not USATF certified at this time. This is something we are hoping to complete in the future.
Visit onlineraceresults.com for a complete searchable database of the races you have run that have uploaded their results to onlineraceresults.com. You can search your results for the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races and share with friends and family. Race results will be posted to our website as soon as possible.
Prize Money
Cash is offered in the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races and goes to the top male and female finishers in the Triathlon ($300), Half-Marathon ($500), and 10K ($300) races.
Age Division Awards
The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races presents a medallion in all race divisions to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups; 19 & under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & over.
Finisher Awards
The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races will be presenting finisher medals to the first 250 Half Marathon finishers and 225 Triathlon finishers.
No. Registration must be complete in advance. All registrations must be done online and close the Friday of race week.
Athlete packet pick-up occurs at the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday the day before the races from 9:30am to 7:30pm.
Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce: 565 S Hwy 71 - Suite 3 & 4, Arnolds Park, IA
Located next to Casey's General Store in the Gray Strip Mall in Arnolds Park.
Yes. If you are unable to attend yourself, the person you send to pick up your race packet should be able to identify your name, gender, age, and city/state. We will do our best to ensure they leave packet pick-up with everything you need for a successful race day. Any leftover packets will be available at Preservation Plaza on Saturday morning starting at 6:30am.
There are so many wonderful hotels in our area! Click Here to check out a list of hotels to choose from!
Yes. You can walk in any of the University of Okoboji Homecoming races. The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races finish line is open from 8:00am - 12:00pm. Should you fall behind this pace, you may find that course support such as water stations and course marshals may not be in place any longer in the later miles of the race. Please consider participating with a personal item to carry essential items with you, so you are not relying solely on course support in the later miles of the race.
To view the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races Route Maps, visit the Course Maps page. Click Here
No. The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races do not offer an early start. However, the finish line is open from 7:00am - 12:00pm. If you feel that’s not enough time to finish the race course, we encourage you to a shorter race. At the same time, we won’t leave you out on the course… the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races finish line stays up until the last athlete crosses it.
If you are unable to finish the race, or if you need to drop out of the race for any reason, try to get yourself to a Beverage or First Aid Station. If you can’t, move to the side of the course and wait for a AP/O Fire & Rescue or University of Okoboji Homecoming Races support team member, who will contact a sag wagon. They will pick you up and take you to the finish line for evaluation to ensure you are okay.
We prefer that the only people on the course are registered athletes, with a corresponding athlete race number/bib entered in the race for that purpose. If your family/friends want to support you along the route we ask that they do not use the items specifically set up for registered runners (hydration stations, etc.) or get in the way of those competing.
No. Wheels are not allowed on the course primarily for the other athletes’ safety on the course. The only people allowed on the course are registered athletes entered in the race to participate in the race.
Yes, you can run/walk with a stroller. Dogs are allowed on a leash in the 2023 race. This can change at any time depending on the number of registered riders and overall safety for the race. Please be courteous of runners around you and do not allow your stroller or dog interfere with those competing.
Yes, however, the use of personal music devices is discouraged for safety reasons. You will not be disqualified for using a personal music device. Please be mindful of other participants.
There will be two shuttle buses traveling from Arnolds Park Amusement Park to the various race start points. Parking is extremely limited at race start locations, so please plan to park at Arnolds Park Amusement Park and shuttle to your race locations. Buses will continue to drive the race routes to pick up any runners that need assistance or take you back to your vehicles at the starting points. Please arrive 30 minutes - 1 hour before your race time if planning to use the shuttle bus.
Thank you to Bedell Family YMCA for their partnership in providing this year's shuttle service.
Powerade and water (in cups) are available at every water station, located approximately every 1 to 2 miles along the routes. Additional hydration requirements are up to the registrant. Beverages will be available at the finish line for each participant to refresh after a fun morning of racing!
Race officials encourage you not to solely rely on the supplements provided along the course if you plan to include them in your race day performance.
Portable toilets will be located at each of the race starting points. There is also a restroom available just off of the race route at Pikes Point and Speier Park in Okoboji. Restrooms will be notated with signs along the race route.
To confirm your University of Okoboji Homecoming Races entry, click here.
Race entry fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, or non-deferrable, including injury, pregnancy, schedule changes, or family emergencies. Sorry, no exceptions.
Once the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races receives and accepts the athlete’s race entry, the race will not issue a refund, transfer, or deferral if the athlete cannot participate on race day.
Refunds will not be issued if the event is canceled because of inclement weather, natural disaster, pandemic, the threat of terrorism, or other unforeseen circumstances. The athlete acknowledges this policy in Step 2 of the race registration process.
Race entry fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, or non-deferrable, including injury, pregnancy, schedule changes, or family emergencies. Sorry, no exceptions.
Once the University of Okoboji Homecoming Races receives and accepts the athlete’s race entry, the race will not issue a refund, transfer, or deferral if the athlete cannot participate on race day.
Refunds will not be issued if the event is canceled because of inclement weather, natural disaster, pandemic, the threat of terrorism, or other unforeseen circumstances. The athlete acknowledges this policy in Step 2 of the race registration process.
There will be no partial or full refunds offered for the event – no exceptions.
If the event gets canceled for any situation, such as emergency weather conditions, entry fees will still be non-refundable. The IGLA Chamber and University of Okoboji Homecoming Races Board, per management executives, city officials, and local law enforcement, has the authority to cancel any of the events for emergency purposes such as, but not limited to, inclement weather or threat of terrorism. If such emergency conditions force cancellation, the IGLA Chamber and University of Okoboji Homecoming Races cannot provide refunds since funds will have been spent preparing for race day.
The University of Okoboji Homecoming Races are always held on the third Saturday in July. Mark your calendars and join us in 2023 and beyond!
Upcoming dates include: July 20, 2024 and July 19, 2025
No problem. Please do not hesitate to contact the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce with your question at 712-332-2107 or email Director of Events and Marketing at kiley@okobojichamber.com.