The ATV and UTV endurance races will be returning to Fort Dodge for the third year on Aug. 4-5. According to a release from Visit Fort Dodge, the Heartland Challenge races “are considered some of the nation’s most demanding off-road racing and feature a wide variety of length, obstacles and race conditions.”

“Sports Park Raceway provides a great place for fans to watch what is happening in the race. Riders can be seen from the grandstands along the track and several times exiting the wooded areas,” said Visit Fort Dodge Executive Director Kerrie Kuiper. “Within walking distance of the grandstand, fans can watch the riders going over the treacherous section of the course which challenges all riders – even the pros. This section includes areas of rock, concrete and downed trees at a very steep slope.”

Admission for the event is $20 for ages 6 years and up (5 and under are free), which includes a wristband that allows entry for both days. Sports Park Raceway will open its concession stand for meals, snacks and drinks during the races.

The Aug. 4 lineup will begin with the 50cc Youth race at 2 p.m., followed by electric races at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. and the adult UTV/side-by-side race from 7 to 11 p.m. The Aug. 5 action will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the Youth ATV race, followed by the 10-hour Adult ATV Iron Man race at 1 p.m. Awards ceremonies with cash prizes will follow each race.

With support from Sports Park Raceway and other local businesses, Visit Fort Dodge was able to recruit this event to Fort Dodge in 2021.

“Anytime we can draw a new event into town, that will help not only our hotels or restaurants, our retail are all getting benefits from having this,” Kuiper said. “Also, this allows us to reach audiences that we maybe haven’t had a chance to reach … This way, it helps us spread our message that we are a destination that you can come to for leisure.”

Sports Park Raceway was a key partner in this process, Kuiper said, because the owners were willing to transform the raceway from a racetrack to an endurance trail.

Andy Kyner, coordinator for the Heartland Challenge, said he’s expecting between 250-300 riders of all ages for the event. Last year’s event brought in riders from 19 states, some as far away as Massachusetts and New York.

Here is the schedule for the weekend races:

Friday, Aug. 4

2 p.m.-4 p.m. — 50cc Youth

4 p.m. — Electric

5 p.m. — Little Electric

7 p.m.-11 p.m. — Adult UTV/SxS

Saturday, Aug. 5

7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Youth ATV

1 p.m.-11 p.m. — Adult ATV Iron Man