Festive Pines 5K

Festive Pines 5K runs in Indianola, Iowa, on December 19, 2026, at Walnut Ridge Tree Farm. Two events start together at 4:00 p.m.: the 5K and the shorter Pine K, a 1-kilometer walk/run aimed at children and walkers. The course is decorated with Christmas lights and winter scenery, friends and family are welcome to gather for refreshments, and part of the proceeds goes to Helping Hand in Indianola, which supports basic needs in the community.

A late-afternoon start on a tree farm means an unpaved, uneven surface in places, so trail shoes or a grippier road shoe are worth considering. Treat this one as a fun effort rather than a personal-best hunt: the footing and the lights invite you to look around. Anyone who wants to race it hard can prepare with a short four-week build, keeping one weekly tempo run of 15 to 20 minutes.