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Des Moines Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Des Moines Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 295 [displaying comments 121 to 131]
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S. M. from San Francisco, CA
(10/20/2008)
"Scenic, challenging course" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The race organizers did a great job of choosing the route for this marathon. It certainly shows off the best of what Des Moines has to offer in terms of scenery. The first half was challenging because of the hills. The course takes runners around the blue track at Drake University, which is a real treat at mile 12. The race was well-organized and, in my opinion, there was plenty of fan support (but I don't necessarily look for that). In my opinion, the only downer was that we were all crammed to close together at the start. Many people, including me, couldn't even get to our proper starting places because it was impossible to move. Overall, great race. Stayed at the Marriott - the starting line was walkable by Sky Walk. | |
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P. B. from Northern California
(10/20/2008)
"Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 For the most part, this course is interesting and beautiful, with lots of shady areas, a fair number of "hills" (nothing too extreme, but be prepared for some rolling areas in the first half), and good support from volunteers and spectators. Especially appreciated were the ample numbers of porta-potties along the course and the volunteers on bikes, who offered up tissues for those of us with perpetually runny noses and generally kept an eye on us. The course goes through a few park areas with lakes and even includes some speed-work opportunities on the local university's track. The baggage storage area needed better signage, but other than that, no complaints. The 2008 race featured nearly perfect weather conditions, with sun, mild temperatures, and a nice breeze throughout. | |
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D. K. from Illinois, USA
(10/20/2008)
"Great Midwest Marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I'm going to echo the many positive comments posted regarding this event from years past: - excellent overall race organization - plentiful aid stations on the course that were well stocked and well manned AND thoughtfully placed along the course - an engaging race course with a nice mix of hills and flats - if you like running tree-lined avenues and park paths, this is the race for you (beautiful) - a large number of bike-mounted race support crew that were highly visible over the entire course - the people of Des Moines obviously take pride in and support this race. Numbers weren't overwhelming but there were people cheering all along the race course. AND the number of local musicians providing entertainment along the course was outstanding - there were guitarists, drummers and even a harp player. The large group of young percussionists around mile 21 were excellent and much appreciated! - nice, technical, long-sleeved race shirt and large amount of schwag in the goody bags - tons of food at the finish The only criticism that I can come up with (and it is minor) is that the order of Gatorade vs. water at the aid stations was not consistent. Overall, an excellent race. And the hills... they aren't that bad! | |
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M. S. from Southeast Iowa
(10/20/2008)
"Relaxed, friendly marathon and town" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The Des Moines Marathon is an enjoyable, smaller, Midwest marathon. If you want to run a good race without the masses of people, Des Moines is a good choice. Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for putting on a nice race. Pluses: 1) Hotels and restaurants around the start area are plentiful and quaint. Downtown DM is easy to get into and out of. 2) Course support is good. Water and aid stations were well staffed. 3) Scenery is generally good. 4) Expo and post-race event was good. There were TONS of massage therapists afterward, probably the most I've ever seen. 5) Nice tech shirt. 6) Running a lap on the track at Drake University was a real treat. Things I wish they would change: 1) Start was too crowded. Pace groups were way too close to each other. Spread them out a bit and make the start less of a traffic jam. 2) Somehow get rid of the desolate miles in Waterworks Park at miles 18-22. This is a deserted area with very little crowd support. The absolute worst miles coming at the absolute worst time. | |
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J. K. from Lincoln, NE
(10/19/2008)
"Well organized, nice course" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Two thumbs up to the organizers - everything was top-notch except the line at the bag check-in (5 minutes - not the end of the world). Packet pickup was awesome - no line, very spread out, decent expo. Course was nice, nice neighborhoods, the run around the Drake track was cool (except I thought we were supposed to have our pictures on the big screen? no biggie) and the trail through the park at mile 17 or so was really nice. Well done race. They could have more spectators, but the ones that were there were very energetic. Recommended race if you are nearby or want to knock Iowa off of your list. | |
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L. S. from Iowa City, IA
(4/7/2008)
"Des Moines 2007" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half at DM this year. Overall, I had a good experience - the course for the half is pretty flat and scenic. I liked the large loops around Water Works Park (and other park I forget the name of). Aid stations were plentiful and the fans along the course were great. Unfortunately it was hotter than expected, in the 70s, so I wasn't able to hit my goal time. I was also really frustrated with the pace teams - I joined a pace group because I really wanted to stay controlled during the first 6-7 miles (I usually go out too fast), but my pacer was horrible! He went too fast for the first three miles, then ran the fourth mile way slower to make up time, and then went even faster on the 5th. After that, I decided to fall back and get into my own pace; unfortunately I never recovered from the fast miles early on. Then, around mile 11 I actually PASSED him and he was walking! He finished about 6-8 minutes slower than the group he was supposed to be leading! My advice to Van Meter: make sure your pacers are well experienced and are capable of leading a group! Runners are counting on them! | |
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K. A. from Polk City, Iowa
(11/13/2007)
"My first - thank you to the organizers" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First the negatives (because they are small): 1. The hills (3-8) were steep, and while the route is more scenic south of Grand, it definitely wears on your legs. 2. The lack of fans south of Greenwood Park. This is a pretty lonely part of the course. It is definitely pretty and adds to the beauty of the course, but it would be great for highly motivated cheering section/water station to be stationed. The positives (which far outweigh any of the above): 1. Race organizers - The course services and organization rival any of the bigger races. They went above and beyond this year in response to the heavy rain and part of the course being underwater days before the race. This is definitely a professionally-managed race. 2. The fans - The fans were definitely out this year in downtown DM, South of Grand, and on Kingman Blvd. They help motivate me keep running through my injuries. 3. Scenic course with a variety of interesting neighborhoods 4. Running around Drake Stadium 5. Course support (they were out in full force and very attentive to runners in trouble) 6. Finally, they dropped the loop to nowhere (back loop of Waterworks), which shows they are in tune with runners' desires. This was the ideal first marathon for me, and I can't recommend it highly enough to others. This is a great Midwest marathon. | |
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J. W. from Des Moines, IA
(10/30/2007)
"Good Challenge" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 For those of you who want the easy, flat track, stay away! Miles 3 - 8 will revisit your legs around mile 20! I thought I could keep my normal pace and buzz right through those hills - I paid for it later on, adding almost 15 minutes to my finishing time. The course is challenging. If you like to challenge yourself, this course will not disappoint. There are spots towards the end where the course may be flat, but your looking across a lake at tiny figures that are other marathoners. There are definite mental challenges when you deal with that issue at mile 18 at water works park and also at mile 21 at Gray's Lake. Once again, it challenges you. The fan support is good for a mid-sized race. Mostly concentrated at the start/finish; miles 9 through 15 (Drake area)then it kind of thins out. If you need others to cheer you on the entire course, this marathon probably isn't for you. The organization if almost perfect. Need to move the water/Gatorade away from the finishing chute and keep it with the food. There was no other water anywhere that I could locate and the finishing area was relatively congested and you want to stay away. Maybe another table with water near the food would work. Start was very smooth, traffic control was perfect and parking and access to the start area was easy. Plenty of port-a-potties! Volunteers were second to none!!! The midwest is where you find such kind and gracious people who will donate their time on a weekend and be happy to do it, and do whatever they need to do to keep us runners happy. Any runner who is critical of any volunteer should have his/her running shoes taken away!!! They are there to help you get through a marathon, not make it a Disney World experience. This marathon is thoughtfully put together to ensure those serious athletes who want to challenge themselves physically and mentally can do just that! While those who walk or jog can have an equally enjoyable experience. | |
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C. M. from Charlottesville, VA
(10/29/2007)
"Solid marathon" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Positives: (1) Well-organized (2) Volunteers very friendly/helpful (3) Excellent vehicular traffic control (4) There appeared to be good medical support (5) They did a nice job dealing with some weather-related problems before the race (6) A nice marathon overall Negatives: (1) The course had steeper hills (especially miles 3-8) than I anticipated by looking at the elevation map. I don't think the elevation map was inaccurate, though. (2) I had a hard time finding something to drink (other than beer) at the finish. I finished in just under 4 hours, and at that time there was nothing to drink near the tables with fruit, bagels, etc. I didn't actually look in the beer tent.... Perhaps they had water there. (3) I think the leader of my pace group ended up finishing about 40 minutes slower than the goal. | |
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C. W. from Lincoln, Nebraska
(10/28/2007)
"Great Job, Des Moines" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Des Moines does an excellent job hosting this marathon. The race is well organized, traffic control is efficient, and the volunteers are friendly and helpful. As noted by previous writers, the race is hilly from mile three until mile 12. Some of the hills are long but they are not overly steep. The first 16 miles takes you through downtown and some very nice wooded neighborhoods. Miles 16 to 25 are through a park area that for some stretches is not particularly scenic, but at least it is flat. After the hills, the flatness was appreciated. The race course was not very crowded since the half-marathoners split off prior to mile three. I enjoyed the refreshments at the end and the free beer is a nice touch. |
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