The Capital Striders Running Club was established in the mid-1980s with a simple purpose: to promote running throughout Central Iowa. While the sport and the community have evolved over the past 30-plus years, the club's heart has remained the same. From competitive athletes to those taking their first steps into running, the Striders have always been a place where everyone belongs.

Incorporated in 2003, the club’s mission is to promote and encourage running by educating the community on the benefits of physical fitness and amateur sport. Guided by the idea of “Running It Forward,” Capital Striders organizes and hosts local events that reinvest in the running community. That support shows up in many ways, from trail improvements and water fountains to youth education, shared spaces for runners to connect, and efforts that strengthen the overall running experience across Central Iowa.

Capital Striders is a proud member of the Road Runners Club of America and part of the Des Moines community, which was named an Outstanding Runner-Friendly Community in 2012.