Guide to Running in Sioux City & Siouxland

Distance running is my favorite sport (I ran XC and track in jr high, high school, and college) and I'm happy to report that there are some really great places to run in Siouxland! Whether you're new to the sport, new to Siouxland, or maybe just visiting Siouxland, if you want to find out more about the distance running and track scene in Sioux City, you're in the right place. I couldn't include every single place you can or should run, and you'll need to of course use your own judgement and preferences to, as every runner has different ideal running conditions. But I tried to come up with some of the best and most useful suggestions to make this the most comprehensive guide to running in Sioux City. So fellow runners, read on to find out more about the best places in Sioux City and Siouxland to go for a run including outdoor tracks, outdoor tracks, and great trails, plus find out about Sioux City's biggest running group, some of the biggest local races held annually, and about the best running store in Sioux City!

Outdoor tracks

There are outdoor tracks associated with most high schools in the area, but most in Sioux City itself aren't open to the public; check with other city and rural districts for individual policies. In general, some are open to the public if no school practices or competitive events are happening, but use is at your own risk, and you should take care to not damage the track, football field, or any equipment that may be around the track area.

The main exception is North. The outdoor track at Sioux City North High on Outer Drive is free and open to the public. It's a standard 400m track with a rubbery surface.

And if you're a parent who loves the sport of track and field (or of a kid who does), don't miss the annual kids track and field camp. Every spring, the Sioux City Parks and Recreation Department offers a kids track & field camp, with weekly practices introducing kids to the sport. The practices culminate in the Live Healthy Iowa Kids local track meet from which kids can qualify to the state meet, or just enjoy in its own right.  

Indoor tracks

The indoor tracks at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA in South Sioux City, NE are open to the public and their use is included with daily admission passes or memberships to the Y. 

There is also an indoor track at Four Seasons available to members. 

Paved Running Trails

sunset view from the Riverfront trail

• Riverfront Trail: Run along the river, from Chataqua Park almost to the airport all the way to the Big Sioux River in North Sioux City, by way of rhe Seabord Triumph Expo Center, downtown Sioux City and Riverside Park! used for the Mighty Mo marathon.
• Bacon Creek: this almost 3-mile paved loop has some small hills and can be washed out or muddy in rainy weather, but in good weather is one of Sioux City's best bets for jogging with a stroller.
• Sgt. Bluff Rec Complex: run around the complex on an about 1-mile paved loop, or head off road around the soccer fields, baseball fields, and more. 
• Al Bengston Trail and Crystal Cove: The Al Bengston Trail is an 8.4-mile loop around South Sioux City, including 1.3 miles around Crystal Cove Park. Visit the Missouri River Runners website for full route information.
• Floyd River Trail: Enjoy about 3 miles of trails along the Floyd River, accessible from the north side of Sioux City including the Leeds neighborhood.
• PlyWood Trail: this trail will eventually connect Sioux City to Le Mars via Hinton, Merrill and other destinations in Woodbury and Plymouth County! Right now, the project is a work-in-progress, with progress being made south from Le Mars and north from Sioux City, but completion may be years in the future. Find full details on the PlyWood Trail website.

Unpaved Running Trails

• Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve has many miles of crushed limestone and is used annually for several scholastic and community races. This is a South Dakota state park, and admission is free to Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve with no parks permit required.
• Stone Park includes many miles of primarily dirt hiking trails, used annually for the Broken Toe Trail Run. Stone Park is an Iowa state park, and admission is free to Stone Park with no parks permit required.

Places I didn't mention

Two places that are actually great run at but I can't actually recommend include the Dakota Dome, which is epic, but not open to public use (but totally run there if you're invited to!) and the Perry Creek Trail, which is great too, but there are literally homeless people living there and occasionally setting the bridges on fire so I don't recommend running on it alone to most people. 

If you know of other great places I should add to the list though, please let me know and I'll probably add them! 

Group running: Missouri River Runners

Running with others can be great motivation, fun, and also increase safety. Luckily for Siouxland runners, there's a great local group that anyone is welcome to join: The Missouri River Runners. The Missouri River Runners meet weekly for runs, host community distance races, and are active in the local running community. You can visit the Missouri River Runners website for more information or to join, and at time of writing this, an annual family membership is only $15!

Annual distance races in Sioux City and Siouxland

There are too many annual runs in Sioux City to mention them all, including lots of 5ks for charitable causes, but some notable distance running races and events that happen every year include:

• Shenanigans (March)
• Spring Thaw (April)
• 2.62 mile mini marathon (July)
• Mighty Mo Marathon, 5k, and 10k (Sept)
• Broken Toe Trail Run (Oct)
• Coca Cola Classic 5k, 10k (Nov)
• Turkey Trot (untimed 5k and food drive)

Sioux City Running Store: Peak Performance

There are lots of places to buy running shoes and clothes and energy gels in Siouxland, but one shines above the rest: Peak Performance. This locally owned running specialty store was opened by a pair of brothers in 1996 and continues to serve the local running community under the guidance of "Jim the Shoe Guy." Peak Performance offers custom shoe fittings and running shoes, racing spikes, and running apparel from a wide variety of well-known brands. They also have electrolyte gels and other runner-friendly snacks and supplements, and home exercise equipment like treadmills for when those days all these outdoor trails aren't viable. Peak Performance's H.A.R.T. foundation provides running shoes and racing spikes to students who don't have the financial means to buy them, and Peak Performance is active in supporting and sometimes hosting local running events. You can visit RunFunEvents to find out more about some of the runs they host (usually non-competitive runs with fun themes.) Peak Performance is located at 4501 Southern Hills Drive, next to the Arena Sports Academy.