September 2026 LCTA News
Trail Story – Morgan Creek Trail Perfect Training for the Race
Interested in volunteering at events or joining our worker bee board?
Calendar of Fall Events: See below and check out our Events Page
Melanie’s Fall Race Prep at Morgan Creek Trail
Training for fall races during the hot summer months means carrying hydration and nutrition with us or creating “aid stations” along training routes. Sometimes, the aid station is a cooler in our vehicle, and our routes have to be repetitive to refuel. This month, Morgan Creek Park is our featured aid station, and the Morgan Creek Trail is our training area. Let’s navigate the heat safely as we build our cardiac engines and do the hard things!
Welcome to Morgan Creek Park and Trail! For this featured 10K route, park at Morgan Creek Park located at 7212 E Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405. There is a smaller parking area to the west on the way to the larger playground lot. Both lots access the Morgan Creek Trail. The smaller lot closest to the entrance has one bathroom. The playground lot has additional bathrooms and a water fountain.
The Morgan Creek Trail connects to the Cherokee Trail at the E Ave. NW entrance and has plans for northbound expansion that will extend past Covington Road in the next couple of years.
This route is one of many to explore within the park, and it is paved with some soft inclines but relatively flat overall. The full distance is a 10K, but feel free to shorten it as needed based on your aid station needs.
The Route:
Head north on the Morgan Creek Trail from the parking lot(s). Approximately .60 miles in, there’s a restroom. Stay to the right as the trail splits and continue northbound. After passing the Morgan Creek Arboretum, the trail will turn left/west to parallel Worcester Road and then return north near 80th St. NW. Continue until the trail ends at Covington Road. Head back the way you came. To get the full 10K distance, continue south on the trail toward E Ave. NW. Connect to the Cherokee Trail by turning left/east and follow the trail as it parallels E Ave. NW. Turn around at the roundabout at Stoney Point Road NW. You should hit a 10K right at the Morgan Creek Park entrance. Hope you enjoy this simple, predictable route with all the amenities on the Northwest side of Cedar Rapids! Happy running, stay safe and hydrated, and hope to see you at a beautiful Midwest fall race!
On the Go Map Link: https://onthegomap.com/s/q3q7j9m7
Melanie Lentz is a personal trainer and owns Training by Mel. She earned a MS in Kinesiology, NSCA, CSCS (certified strength and conditioning specialist) Her business Instagram is @trainingbymel and website is www.melanielentz.com
Linn Area Mountain Bike Association, LAMBA, is the real deal. LAMBA identifies possible areas for singletrack trails and helps the city and county build and maintain these trails. LAMBA sponsors events and educates bikers of all ages on safe skilled mountain biking. LCTA is fortunate to have many LAMBA members on our board as we connect all types of trails into the amazing trail system in Linn County.
Volunteers working at the Gravity Park in Pinicon Ridge Park
Important LAMBA dates – check it out
Beverly Trail Jam on 9/27 in Beverly Park. This event features a jumping exhibition, other skills competitions and fun for bikers of all ages.
Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day: Oct 3 Plan is for the event to be held at Wanatee in cooperation with Linn County Conservation
Pinicon Punisher October 23-25 at Pinicon Ridge Park in Central City. Enjoy Racing, skill classes, camping, and mostly fun. All ages participate.
For more information https://www.facebook.com/groups/lambatrails/
Trail Updates
Grant Wood Trail - 51st Street design in progress- Connecting the Grant Wood Trail to the CVNT is a major goal. Initially there was hope that the rail line from Council Street to Center Point Road would link the trails, but the railroad has not granted permission. Thus, the city is designing a link on the north side of 51st Street. Crossing from the east on Council Street and 51st Ave will be at the light, with street access for bicyclist who use the street and the crossing at Center Point Road is under design with many options being considered.
CVNT- 4th Street Trail- As you bike/walk through downtown Cedar Rapids you may notice construction activity from 7th Ave to the Alliant Light Line Bridge (bridge set to open this Fall!) The 4th St Trail will be a shared use path for walkers and bicyclist and will feature an overhead pedestrian crossing signal at 8th Ave SE on 5th St SE. This will allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross 8th Ave SE instead of waiting for an opening in traffic.
Continuation of the Edgewood Trail - from Glass Rd NE to Town Centre Way NE will be bid this fall with construction starting in 2027.
Dows Maniti Trail - Planning and Design work is underway for the entire trail from Hwy. 100, south to Mount Vernon Rd. The County is applying for a trail grant for the section from the new underpass, north, through Wanatee Park up to Hwy 100. Final Plans are currently being finalized on the Lakeside Drive to Mt. Vernon Rd. section for a DOT Letting this spring, with construction to follow. The final phase of this segment will connect Wanatee Park to the main line of the Interurban Trail.
Calendar
Bever Park Bike Parade Sept 20
CeMar Ribbon Cutting October 5 at 4pm Mt. Calvary Cemetary
Northtown Community Cruise Bike Ride, October 11, 2026, Starting location at the Sag Wagon. Free but must pre-register. 23 miles for full ride. Short out and back options for those not wanting to ride every mile. For more information: https://www.northtownebikes.com/articles/northtowne-fall-community-cruise-pg1629.htm
LCTA Board meetings are on the second Monday evening of the month 6-7:30 pm. Visit our website for more information.
Volunteering
LCTA is often in need of energetic trail enthusiasts to help promote trails at events! If you are interested in committee work and or joining our board, contact us on the LCTA website! LCTA is an active group and we need folks who have a bit of time to commit. Thanks for considering!
