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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 11 to 21]
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t. y. from iowa
(10/22/2018)
"A very runner-friendly marathon" (about: 2018)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Des Moines knows how to organize a race. From free parking in the nearby parking ramps to a ridiculously high (and much appreciated) number of port-a-potties and hydration stations along the course, the Des Moines marathon is runner-friendly. The course has several moderate hills, but the last 10 or so miles are perfectly flat. You run south of downtown, then through some impressive residential neighborhoods, before spending the last third of the race running around a couple of lakes in beautiful city parks. Conditions in 2018 were downright cold (28 degrees at the start with a steady wind all race), so crowd support was moderate at best for a city marathon. Organizers did a great job of having lots of pace groups, frequent candy and fruit stations, numerous musical performers along the course, and the streets on the entire course were car-free. The first two miles were a bit congested with half-marathoners, but nothing terrible. This is a relatively inexpensive marathon, with runners getting a nice large medal, nice runner's jacket (the nicest clothing I've ever gotten from a marathon), and good post-race food. Des Moines showed itself off well with this race and it leaves a great impression on those who run this marathon. | |
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R. S. from California
(10/29/2017)
"Highly Recommended" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Beautifully scenic and varied course on a perfect race day. Loved the lap around the track of Drake Stadium, and the stretch along the Bill Riley Trail (however, fellow runners, please don't play your music out of loudspeakers, thank you!). The entertainment along the course was fantastic, and the volunteers and spectators carried me through to the end. The race itself was small. There was no wait at the porta potties 45 minutes before the start. The bag drop was easy to find, and emergency same day bib pick-up was available. Great organization! My only complaint was the lack of food at the finish. All I found (and got) was a bottle of water, an apple, a banana, a cookie, and a spoonful of peanut butter that had been sitting in the sun for too long. Other food was for sale, and I did not carry cash with me. Still, highly recommended, w/ a really helpful RD. | |
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A. N. from Rockville, MD USA
(10/25/2017)
"Big Al's Comments" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Woow! What an absolutely perfect day for a marathon, with windy spots here and there! The course is beautiful and the spectators awesome. A good portion of the race goes through residential neighborhoods with nice homes and nicely manicured lawns. The hills were mostly on the first half and there was a good number of them, but the second half was much more manageable. This is a very well organized race and I highly recommend it. I especially loved the volunteers who biked along the course and offered Gue, Vaseline, music and anything else you needed. Bravo Des Moines for putting on a nice race. This was my 65th marathon and my 45th state. Getting there slowly but surely! | |
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j. e. from Pennsylvania
(10/18/2017)
"beautiful course, awesome medal. fun race" (about: 2017)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Pros: 1. Cheap entry with early registration 2. Great medal, colorful 3. 1/4 zip was nice 4. Didn't need a rental car if stayed at Embassy Suites. They had a shuttle, 2 hour happy hour nightly and great breakfast and was close to start/finish with incredibly nice (but expensive) rooms. Book thru the race site, you can't find a better deal than what they offer. 5. Course was beautiful. it was hilly miles 3-8 (and cold and windy), the middle had some plentiful downhill, and the last portion was flat with lake views. Traffic was never an issue as roads were closed and well marked. 6. App was great to track athletes for the spectators 7. Spectators were terrific. I was surprised how many were out cheering us on. I really felt that Des Moines welcomed the runners. 8. Expo was easy to walk to from hotel (in the pelting rain). It was smaller but had all the essentials and some nice give aways of beer, wine, coffee cups, body glide etc. 9. Expo was organized and easy to navigate 10. Plenty to eat within walking distance on Court Avenue 11. Great views of beautiful homes on course. Loved running over Grays Lake on the bridge and the run on the Drake Relays track with Jumbotron was awesome. I went to college there in 1985 so cool to be an athlete on that track finally. 12. Weather started off so cold and windy but by the latter half it was ideal conditions, of high 40's and sun. It was gorgeous with the capital in the backdrop as we ran thru the finish. 13. There were 2 gels stops that I recall, but not until later in the race, so bring your own if you need them in the first half of the marathon. 14. Half marathoners started with us but thankfully only ran 2 miles or so in conjunction with the full marathoners. It was congested, but when they divided it was perfect. 15. Volunteers at expo and aid stations were phenomenal. That midwest hospitality and friendliness was evident. It was great when the aid stations would yell out which side the gatorade vs water was. 16. Informative emails and website prerace. It is really convenient when the R.D. has host hotels set up. Cons: 1. I deducted 1 point for the course because there was no water station until after mile 5. Thats a long way to go without water. Thank goodness it was a cool day and I brought my own hydration (I have run enough to never count on everything). 2. I was bummed that the shirt was grey. It is the 3rd long sleeve grey race shirt I got this year. It has a nice logo on it and love the back with the 26.2 at the collar and NO advertisements. 3. Roads were pretty decent for Iowa, as they can have harsh winters (I grew up there) but there were few places you had to watch where there were cracks etc. On tired legs, this could be a disaster. I loved the trail we ran on the last part of the race. You didn't have to think at all. 4. I was really disappointed in the Embassy Suites. I usually love my stay there for the rooms, pool, happy hour, breakfast and usually hospitality. However, they were nasty about 1pm late checkout. The race doesn't start until 8am, so I ran 4:30 which is quite average for a marathon these days. I didn't even stop for postrace festivities and got back to the hotel at 12:55 only to be locked out. When I went to the front desk to say I had a late checkout they told me it was at 1pm. I said that I knew this and just wanted a quick shower. It was so obvious that this was such an inconvenience for them. They made me feel so bad for this. Seriously, I just dropped $173 a night on your hotel and just wanted a quick rinse. I was told repeatedly that I had to be out right at 1pm because they had a huge conference coming in. Marathons bring a lot of money / revenue to the city. I was disappointed in Embassy for how brash they were and how they made me feel like I was such a burden. The good part was it is a gorgeous hotel with the best happy hour ever and really nice breakfast. It was super convenient so I still was happy with my stay until 12:55 that day. I am in pursuit of 50 states and loved this race not only to check off Iowa, but because it was so beautifully executed. It is a well oiled machine. It is not the crowds of NYC, Chicago or Boston, yet all the amenities and more for less cost and hassle. Gorgeous course and enjoyable weekend. Thank you Des Moines and to all the volunteers and RD that made this possible. | |
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D. C. from Marion, Iowa
(10/18/2017)
"Best. Race. Ever." (about: 2017)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race. Refreshments were plentiful. Weather was perfect (40-45 degrees).The course was packed with cheering spectators. There is nothing quite like a 15-year-old cross country kid handing you a water and saying "I believe in you!". Late in the race, members of the military were supporting us at a water station. One barked at me: "Don't let him pass you, you pass him!" as he handed me my water. Loved it. Gave me the motivation to run harder. The pacer with whom I ran acted as tour guide (telling us about the best of Des Moines), cheerleader (you got this!), and advisor (hill coming, do this!). The full and half were together the first 2+ miles and it was ridiculously crowded. But once the break point occurred, it was a lovely, scenic run. Hills in the first half were as-advertised and rewarded with a lovely downhill late in the course. Very cool to run around the track at Drake University where some greats have run. Being on the Jumbotron also gave me an extra lift. The Expo was well organized and had all of the typical vendors. No waiting in line and easy to find. Before the race, porta potties were adequate and the lines moved well. Gear check was difficult to find due to the throng of people and the lack of signage. The finish line was very welcome (perhaps that was psychological!). Medals were awesome and made me feel like I really accomplished something. Post-race food and drink were abundant. I had nachos followed by a pulled pork sandwich followed by pizza and beer. Atmosphere was very encouraging and festive. I will absolutely run this race again. Not just because I PR'd by more than six minutes. But because it was a fantastic experience that I can't wait to repeat. | |
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J. T. from Lincoln, Nebraska
(10/16/2017)
"Wonderful Marathon Experience" (about: 2017)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This marathon was perfect. The course did a great job of displaying all parts of Des Moines, there were well-stocked and well-placed aid stations, and the spectators were extremely supportive. I was very impressed with the organization and planning put into this race, they really thought of everything! Top 3 marathon experience for me. | |
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Lou Oswald from Dubuque, Iowa
(9/18/2017)
"This may very well be the 'Best Marathon Ever!'." (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From start to finish with everything being considered ~ the best Marathon possible for runners, family members and volunteers. Thank you so much for caring so much for area runners and athletes. | |
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R. R. from Texas
(10/18/2016)
"Great event that shows off the city well" (about: 2016)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Moderate hills at the beginning. Very pleasant course winding through parks, around lakes range of pretty neighborhoods with a variety of road surfaces. Spectators were hit and miss but always supportive and enthusiastic. Parking was great in garages by the start/finish and free. Great support on the course with aid stations much sooner than the 1-2 miles advertised. Plenty of volunteers at every station and port a potties as well. Chocolate milk, pizza, sandwiches etc. and plenty of it. One of my favorites, I would do it again. Packet pickup was also easy with nice expo. | |
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G. G. from Deerfiled Beach Florida
(10/17/2016)
"great race" (about: 2016)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 What a great race.. the weather 2016 was perfect cloudy and foggy... great course , beautiful sights.. interesting.. never bored but a monster hill at mile 23 was not fun.. The only neg was too many water stops..I am conditioned to one stop per mile.. it threw me off when there were two in a mile.. got me thinking there wouldnt be one for a while but then another one was there.. | |
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J. S. from ND
(1/19/2016)
"Cool race" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this race in October 2015 and really enjoyed it. Organization, expo, packet pickup, aid stations, fans, and volunteers were all great. The course was cool, a big loop with ever changing things to see. Miles 4 to 10 or so were hilly but I liked it. I think that marathons should be hard. The lap around Drake track was awesome as was running around the Capitol. There were paved trails, rivers, lakes, nice residential and urban areas. The surface was a mix of cement, asphalt and paved bike trail. |
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