The Timber City Adventure Race is an exciting annual outdoor event held in Maquoketa, Iowa, combining athletic challenge with the natural beauty of Jackson County. Participants can compete individually or as part of a team, taking on a multi‑sport course that features canoeing or kayaking, biking, and running.

Two Race Options
To welcome both seasoned racers and newcomers, the Timber City Adventure Race offers two different race distances:

Timber City Adventure Race (Full Course)
Participants begin on the Maquoketa River with an 11‑mile canoe or kayak paddle, winding beneath towering limestone bluffs and through peaceful valleys. Racers then transition to a 12‑mile bike ride, starting with a challenging incline before continuing through scenic countryside. The race finishes with a 5K run through Maquoketa’s trails and downtown, concluding on Main Street.

Timber City Adventure Express
Looking for a shorter but equally fun challenge? The Adventure Express offers a condensed version of the race, featuring a 3‑mile paddle, a 6‑mile bike ride, and a 5K run—perfect for first‑time racers or those wanting a faster‑paced experience.

Event Details
Date: June 27, 2026

Location: Starts and finishes in Maquoketa, Iowa

Disciplines: Canoe or kayak, bike, and run

Whether you’re pushing your limits or trying an adventure race for the first time, the Timber City Adventure Race delivers a day of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable outdoor fun. Paddle the river, pedal the hills, and run through town—it’s an adventure that’s uniquely Maquoketa.

The Kayak/Canoe portion will start at the 5th St. Boat Ramp in Maquoketa. Biking will begin at the Iron Bridge. 5k will begin at the Hurstville Lime Kilns  and end on Main St. in front of the Green Space. 

Recreational Division:

Medals will be awarded to Recreational Division . 

Individual 
Overall 
-1st Place Male 
-2nd Place Male 
-1st Place Female 
-2nd Place Female 
 
2 Person Team 
-1st Place Team 
-2nd Place Team 
 
 
3-4 Person Team 
-1st Place Team 
-2nd Place Team 

Recreational EXPRESS Division:

Individual 
Overall 
-1st Place Male 
-2nd Place Male 
-1st Place Female 
-2nd Place Female 
 
2 Person Team 
-1st Place Team 
-2nd Place Team 
 
 
3-4 Person Team 
-1st Place Team 
-2nd Place Team 

Competitive Racing Division:

Cash Prizes to first place only and Medals will be awarded to Competitive Racing Division.

 Overall Individual 

- 1st Place Male
- 1st Place Female

2 Person Team 

All Female 
-1st Place Team 

All Male 
-1st Place Team 

Mixed 
-1st Place Team

Check Back Soon

FAQ 
 What time does the race start? 
 The race will start at 8:00am.   
 
Can I still register?  
We offer online registration only. Registration cut off is June 23th .
 
Entry fees are non-transferable and non-refundable. 

When is packet pick-up? 
TBD

Where is the route? 
The race begins on 5th St boat ramp in Maquoketa and ends on Main St. in Maquoketa. For a more detailed description of the route and map. Check out the “course info” tab. 

What if I need to rent a canoe/kayak?

Maquoketa River Rental is your answer! Contact Kevin at (563) 357-4489. 

Can my pet participate? 
Pets are NOT permitted in this race. This is for the safety of your pet. Service animals must be approved by the race director at least  ONE WEEK prior to race day by contacting adminstaff@maquoketachamber.org. 

Will there be restrooms?   
Yes. There will be Porta Potties located at the 5Th St. Boat ramp (starting line), Iron Bridge (Kayak/Bike Exchange), Hurstville Lime Kilns (Bike/Run Exchange), and at the Finish Line 

Where can we park? 
Since there is 3 different legs to this race. Logistics for each transition area will be different. You can find more detailed information under the  Logistics tab under the Race Info tab.  

Do I have to sign a waiver? 
Every participant will be required to sign a waiver when registering online. For those under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver. Racers are unable to participate without a signed waiver.  

What if there’s inclement weather? 
This race will happen rain or shine! The run committee will continue to monitor the weather and follow the proper protocol in place regarding inclement weather including but not limited to thunderstorms, tornadoes, and heat. The run committee holds the right to cancel, alter or postpone the event due to inclement weather. 

What if the water levels are too low or high? 
The run committee will monitor the safety of the water levels. If it is unsafe to use the river, the Kayak/Canoe portion will be cancelled. If this happens the race will begin with the bike at 8am.  There will be no refunds due to weather-related cancellations.

Do I have to wear a Life Jacket? 
Life jackets must be worn at all times while on the water. Failure to comply with the safety rules will subject contestants to disqualification. 

Do I have to wear a helmet? 
Bike helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. Failure to comply with the safety rules will subject contestants to disqualification. 
 
Where can I find my race results? Will there be awards?  
Runners can find their time under the “results” tab.  The awards ceremony will follow shortly after the runners have finished. Find more information about awards under the divisions tab found here.

How is my time being collected?  
Each team  will receive a bracelet that is tagged with a timing chip. This bracelet must be passed to the next member of the team.  

Will there be any post-race activities?  
Stick around for photos, music, and post-race refreshments, food, bounce house and more on Main St. near the finish line. 

Not a walker or runner?  VOLUNTEER!   
Volunteers are essential to the success of the race so THANK YOU!  Please click the VOLUNTEER tab at the top of the page or contact the Race Director at director@maquoketachamber.org. 
 

What are the divisions?
Divisions can be found under the Divisions Tab or click here.  

Further Questions? 
For more information and further questions, please contact the Race Director at  adminstaff@maquoketachamber.org. 

Full Route:

Individuals will complete all legs of the race which are as follows:

Canoe/Kayak: Participants start with an 11-mile canoe or kayak journey on the scenic Maquoketa River. The river winds below towering limestone bluffs and through secluded valleys, providing an adventurous experience.

Biking: After the water leg, racers transition to a 12-mile bike ride. The bike route begins with a challenging incline just before continuing through picturesque landscapes.

Run: The final segment is a 5K run, combining running Maquoketa's beautiful trails and downtown area. The race concludes on Main Street .

EXPRESS Route:

Canoe/Kayak:
Participants will begin at the same starting location as the Full Route racers. This portion includes a 3‑mile paddle, finishing at the Bridgeport Access.

Bike:
Racers will complete a shorter cycling course while still experiencing the scenic beauty of Jackson County. The bike leg covers approximately 6 miles.

Run:
The 5K run will start at the same location as the Full Route participants and will follow the same course.

D'Arte Manor and Art Gallery

Squiers 1882

The Decker Hotel

Camping :

Horseshoe Pond

Lakehurst Riverside Campground
Maquoketa Caves State Park

Eden Valley

Click here for Logistics.

Digital Packet will be available. Please check back here for link

Friday, June 26th

Early Packet Pick up

NEW LOCATION

Maquoketa Chamber Office

124 S Main St

Maquoketa, IA 52060

5-7PM

**NEW**

You will be assigned your timers at Early packet Pickup to help speed the process up on Race Day

Packet/Timer  Pick up on Race Day 

5th St Boat Ramp

7am

 There will be no refunds, deferrals, and/or transfers given for any reason. The event is rain or shine, there is no rain date. In case of inclement weather, or any other safety issue, management reserves the right to cancel/alter/modify the race/course for safety concerns without a refund. 

What if the water levels are too low or high? 
The run committee will monitor the safety of the water levels. If it is unsafe to use the river, the Kayak/Canoe portion will be cancelled. If this happens the race will begin with the bike at 8am.  There will be no partial/ full refunds if a portion of the race is cancelled. 

Team Captains
Team Captains will be responsible for starting the registration process. Your Team Captain will be responsible for setting up your team name, paying the teams registration fees in full (teams can work out splitting payments offline). Additional Shirts can be purchased at registration or participants can order shirts as a stand alone order. Once the Team Captain registers, they will share the team's name with their teammates, so all teammates can register/join their team with no additional registration cost. 

The Team Captain at the conclusion of their registration and setting up their team, will pay in full for the entire teams relay entry fee and additional items added.  The Team Captain will receive their registration confirmation email with important information. At that time the Team Captain only needs to share their Team Name  with their additional teammates. Additional teammates can then register with zero cost. 

As the Timber City Adventure Race approaches, Captains and other team members can find  maps, and forms from this page.

Captains Checklist:

Designate a co-captain to assist.
Register yourself and set up your team name in the race database during your registration
Arrange transportation of your kayak/canoe and bikes.
Ensure proper equipment is safe and ready. Each person in the water must wear a life jacket and bikers must wear a helmet.
Arrange for lodging (optional). Click on Lodging for more information. 

Teams
Relay Teams
Relay events are great for participants of every level because you work together as a team to complete the race.  Relays also provide a wonderful bonding experience and unique camaraderie that isn't found in other events.  Then there is the finish, where your team mates can be cheering you on as you finish for the team. 

The first thing you need to do is to put a team together. You can start by recruiting your friends to join you. It's always best to get a commitment by collecting their share of the registration. 

After you have your team, you'll want to start planning other logistics such as:

Acquiring gear- Every biker is required to wear a helmet and every canoer/kayaker is required to wear a life vest. 
Book lodging- Lodging options can be found here. 
Competitive - is available for the 2 person team only. 2 person teams must can be all men, all women, or mixed. Non-Competitive categories: 2 Person Team or  3/4 Recreational- is available for both the 2 person team and the 3/4 person team. Recreational teams do not have classifications like the Competitive. 

COMPETITIVE:

 2 Person Team - each person will complete each leg of the race individually except the kayak/canoe portion . The canoe/kayak portion may be completed with both members of the team in one vessels or individually.   The team time will be calculated by the average of both members.

RECREATIONAL:

 2 Person Team - each person will complete each leg of the race individually except the kayak/canoe portion . The canoe/kayak portion may be completed with both members of the team in one vessels or individually.  The team time will be calculated by the average of both members.

3/4 Person Team- The kayak/canoe leg can be completed with 2 people if there is a 4th member . 

Free T-shirt

if you register before June 13th.  Choose your size during registration. 

Post-Race Food/Drink included

Every racer will be provided with post-race food and drink designed to help with recovery.