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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 211 to 221]
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G. B. from Missouri
(10/21/2004)
"Nice race in its infancy, with growing pains" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 This being my second marathon I was looking forward to an event that I had heard good things about. Overall, I was pleased with the experience but as this race grows the organization has to improve. The positives: 1. Plenty of rooms within walking distance of the start/finish line for out-of-towners like me. 2. Plenty of water stops with both water and sports drinks at each. 3. Enthusiastic volunteers, including pace leaders who made the run even more enjoyable. 4. A relatively flat course that winds through nice neighborhoods and parks. The negatives: 1. Bibs were left blank and I was not sure if I should put my number on it or what to do. The bib also tore easily as I had to repin it after I took off a t-shirt I used to keep warm. 2. The half marathon and marathon courses crossed several times so it got congested in some areas. 3. Mile markers late in the race that were not accurate made it hard to know just what pace I was running. Suggestions: 1. Find a way for the half marathon course to not cross the marathon course except near the end. 2. As for the mile markers being moved by vandals, I learned after the race that mile markers had been painted on the course, but I only remember seeing the one at mile 15, which was missing its sign. Please communicate to the entrants before the race where they can find the markers on the pavement so they can be looking for them. The more knowledge we have before a race begins, the better it will be. | |
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D. M. from Des Moines
(10/21/2004)
"Overall... B" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 A balanced review... 1st - It was a scenic run, I love Waterworks and Greys Lake, who can complain? IT'S FLAT! Knowing the constraints of finding 26.2 miles in a city that is completely under contstuction, they did a pretty good job. Granted, I didn't like zig-zagging on MLK either, but a mile is a mile... which brings me to the miles... what is a mile, after all. It is CRITICAL that the miles be marked accurately; it is how we (runners) judge everything. A difference of 10 seconds per mile can drain the tank early, leaving us cramped and crawling for the line. Being a race organizer, I know the challenges of working with volunteers, the weather, vandals, etc, but as the organizer, it is my responsibility to foresee and do something about the 'unforeseen'. My solution (and I am volunteering to do this!): PAINT! I know each mile was marked by a little yellow dot; no #, just a dot. I happened to see #18, 19 and 20, but none thereafter. How about a great big # painted on the street. Neither vandals, wind nor an errant volunteer could mess with it. 2nd - The crowd through downtown was awesome! 3rd - The hills south of Grand emptied the tank! Definitely the hardest marathon I've run (still ran a pr). 4th - Water stops were frequent. I sometimes passed them up they were so frequent - that is GREAT! 5th - The expo was good for a relatively small event. I don't think people were in the buying mood, but lots of interesting stuff! 6th - The DSM Marathon merchandise was good, lots of variety and good prices. 7th - It's come a long way baby - I love the event and hope it continues for a long time to come. My wish is to raise my hand at the 25th as one of the handful that has run in every one. I hope we can all get over the #!@($*& and help this run grow - for DSM, for Central Iowa - for the Midwest! FOR US! - now, on to my search for another Boston qualifier... a minute and a half - DANG! Happy running - Dave | |
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J. S. from Elmhurst, IL
(10/21/2004)
"Potential to be a great race" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Lively spectators, beautiful city/course, great volunteers. This was my first marathon, ran the 1/2 here last year. I started with the 3:20 pace group (I think J.S. from IL below was our pace leader) and had a great time. Mile markers off/missing were a major issue, making it hard to know whether we were on pace or not. Bill Riley trail and Water Works Park were very scenic. The 3 times back and forth on the same stretch of road towards the end was mentally challenging, but I understand that will be gone next year when road construction is done. Finished in 3:27:06, which I'm pleased with as a first attempt. | |
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M. C. from IL
(10/20/2004)
"Nice marathon overall. Had its bumps." (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The weather was nice and cool for a marathon. Didn't expect all the hills in the first part of the race, but managed to get through them. I was having Boston flashbacks! When the crowds where there, they made noise. Aid stations were good. The second half of the course was very nice with it running through the parks and trails. Most of the volunteers knew how to give you water without splashing it all over us. What I didn't like was the person singing the National Anthem - it was butchered, to the point I didn't want to listen to it. Please sing the National Anthem the way it is written. Another thing I would like to see changed is the last 5 miles of the race. The back and forth got very boring and made it seem like the finish line was never going to end. Would like to see it wind around downtown rather than where it does. I know on the other websites the race director has taken a beating regarding the mile markers. They were off. But unless you plant someone by those markers after they are placed, then it is going to be difficult to keep the wackos out there from messing around. Maybe at the beginning of the race next year an announcement could be made to watch for the markings on the road for mile markers, rather than relying on the flags. Nice job, Director Helene! | |
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A. F. from Iowa
(10/20/2004)
"Great 1/2 marathon!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I had the pleasure of running the 1/2 in 2004. The course was a great mixture of easy, rolling hills and flat stretches. Some of the course is run on a nice asphalt trail. Though at times this is a bit congested with walkers, it is still a beautiful section of the course. I found the hills to be a good challenge and an opportunity to mix up the muscles being worked. The start was beautiful as we headed east toward the Iowa capitol building. The spectators were a bit thin, but I credit that to the cold weather. Packet pick-up was a cinch. The start and finish are just a block away from each other, so parking to start was simple to get to after the finish. Lots of cheering toward the finish line. PR'd with a 2:14:52... great day! | |
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Bryan Redemske from Omaha, NE
(10/20/2004)
"I ran the half this year" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 3 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 I've run in all three years in Des Moines -- the half twice (02, 04) and the full in 03. It's always a nice place to go, because it's close and it's a great place to run. But there was a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE flaw with the half this year. After six miles, NONE of the mile markers were even close to correct. It's not the first time, either. Last year one of the marathon markers was considerably far from its proper place. If I were to believe this year's markers, I ran miles in the low 6s, followed by three 7:40s, a 4:02 and capped it with a final 1.1 split of 5:10. Huh? It was a disappointing footnote to a great course. This year's was easily the best of the three. I liked the move of the finish line and starting line, but get the markers right, please! | |
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C. S. from Illinois
(10/19/2004)
"Miles 22-25 must be changed!! " (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 First, the positives: Speakers at the dinner were excellent: The first 21 miles are beautiful, water stops are ALL perfectly run and staffed, race volunteers are marvelous, and the residents of Des Moines seem to embrace the race participants. Room for improvement: At the expo, put the pasta dinner tickets in the race packet, or put the table with the tickets in a more conspicuous location - lots of runners had to go back to the expo for their tickets. Race signage - since the full and half marathoners separate and rejoin at least 3 or 4 times, put signs with the word 'marathon' or '1/2 marathon' at the places where they separate. I'm sorry, but the green and red arrows just don't cut it during a marathon, and the confusion at these points make it hard to hear the volunteers. A few signs with the above words will help tremendously. Administratively, put a process in place for the race medical tent to know if a runner gets medical treatment and has to be transported away - my wife was checking for me at the medical tent near the finish line and a race official told her that if a runner goes down and is transported by ambulance, the race officials wouldn't know about it. This could be a huge problem. Get rid of the back and forth stretch in the last 4 miles-mentally and physically, this is torture. (I'm guessing construction caused this, and it may solve itself next year.) Overall, this is a good race that is experiencing some growing pains, and I suspect much of this will be addressed. Helene (race director) was very visible all day, but didn't try to steal the spotlight. The focus was on the runners. | |
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C. T. from upstate NY
(10/18/2004)
"Great start." (about: 2004)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If I didn't know I'd gone out with the 7AM early start, I'd have thought it was the official 8AM start of the marathon. The 'official' touches were all there: great announcing, incredible singer. Still gives me goosebumps when I recall her rendition. Day was perfect. Very nice not to have to be bussed to a start 26.2 miles away. What the spectators lacked in quantity, they made up for in quality. | |
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Sharon Schlenker from Wheaton, IL
(10/18/2004)
"Incredibly well organized for a small Midwest race" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I was incredibly impressed with how well organized the Des Moines Marathon was. I started at 7:00 and all of the water/Powerade stations were all set up and ready to go. The other runners were friendly and encouraging (including those who started at 8:00 and would soon blow past me). Other than miles 22 through 25 through the construction zone, this was a beautiful course layout. The first 8 or so miles of the course were hilly, but after that it is flat. If you don't like running alone, I don't recommend taking advantage of the early bird start (7:00 am vs. 8:00 am). If you enjoy running alone and want to be able to see the elite runners pass you on the course (since they start at 8:00), then I highly recommend the early bird start. | |
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J. M. from Leawood, KS
(10/18/2004)
"This race had potential but missed key areas." (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 I thought the fan support was above average!!! Having the YMCA available to runners before the race was terrific. Packet pickup was easy but the expo was weak. Crucial areas missed: 1) Mile markers off and hard to notice. 2) Aid stations randomly placed... should be with mile markers or at least matching up with the course description. 3) The last 6 miles of the race were run out and back on concrete... uneventful and horrible surface for end of race. |
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