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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 31 to 41]
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R. R. from KCMO
(10/23/2013)
"Well done event" (about: 2013)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Thanks IMT Des Moines Marathon. What a wonderful event. Expo was nice starting area was well organized and race was really good with very good pacers. Only course complaint is last couple of miles around the park/lake area is on bike/walking paths and we were catching some of the walkers from the half so had to dodge around them when you're beat is tougher than it needs to be but it was only for a short distance. After race food and services well laid out with great options for food and drink. Really nice job, I'd recommend this race to any all, great Iowa option for 50 staters. | |
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M. B. from Indiana
(10/22/2013)
"Great route, great spectators, great food!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was a great race experience and I highly recommend it! The expo was easy to get to and had a lot of options for shopping if that is your thing. Parking on race day wasn't a problem - we parked about 5 blocks from the start/finish about a half hour before the race start. Gear check went quickly and the weather was perfect: low 40s and overcast, which became low 50s and sunny by the end. The course: A hilly first half (at least by this flat midwesterner's standards) through some beautiful residential areas. When I first looked at the route I assumed that the out and back over miles 3-18 would be a bit annoying and like most half marathon/marathon combo races there would be very few spactators on that part of the course. Not so! Spectators lined both sides of the street almost the entire way and there were so many people in the median that often we couldn't see the runners coming back the other way! The second half of the course was also full of spectators and was almost completely flat (which I appreciated after the hills!). Most was run on pathes in a park area that had some beautiful scenery and included a gorgeous bridge crossing. Staff/Volunteers: The volunteers were wonderful - VERY enthusiastic and happy to help. There were volunteer bikers passing us constantly who carried medical supplies, fluids and candy for anyone in need. I ran with the 2:25 pacer for several miles (Tom) who was fabulous - he really knew the course and was great about preparing us for what was ahead (ie, where the hills were, how long they were, what food we could look forward to at the finish, etc). There were also many spectators who had thought to bring Kleenex and were passing them out to runners, which was very thoughtful. The food: Oh, the food! At most marathons, there are 1-2 gel stops and maybe a fruit option somewhere along the course. Again, Des Moines did better! There were 3 gel stops, 3 fruit stops, and candy was offered at most of the aid stations in the last few miles. I really appreciated these, as I prefer to eat real food when possible. At the finish, there were a plethora of options: pizza (warm, as they were bringing it in throughout the morning), fresh turkey sandwiches (which my family - who did the half - ate 4 hours later and still said they were delicious), cookies, fruit, 3 kinds of chips, pulled pork sandwiches, chocolate milk and my personal favorite, Qdoba chips and jalapeno salsa (and I'm still probably missing some...). I finished later on (around 4:45) and everything was still available. Yay! The medal was also very nice, and the quarter zip l/s tops seemed good quality (although I had to order another size since the one I ordered was HUGE! However, they'll be sending the new size to me for free, which was great). I would definitely recommend this race to all - especially the 50 staters as the Des Moines airport is only about 15 mins away. | |
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Josh Dietsche from Madison, WI
(10/21/2013)
"READ THIS FOR ACCURATE COURSE INFO!" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 First and foremost, I thought this was a great race. Really nice course, well-organized...will definitely consider running it again in the future. I'm mainly commenting because I want to expand on previous comments on the course being hilly or not. I relied on the course profile when previewing the race and sure, it looked like there were some hills in the early miles, but nothing crazy. Well, that doesn't tell the whole story. I wore my GPS watch during the race, so I was able to get pretty accurate elevation data recorded continuously. Comparing that with the course profile on the website, it appears that they only took elevation data point at the mile marks. By doing this, you miss some pretty significant ups/downs inbetween those mile marks. If you're going to run, I'd encourage you to use one of the online mapping tools to check it out for yourself. Having said all that, I still definitely recommend the race...just wanted to clarify exactly what kind of terrain awaits if you choose to run. I still really liked the course...I don't think some hills are a bad thing. Almost all of the course was on really scenic, tree-lined streets or asphalt path. And the lap around the Drake track was pretty cool...that place has seen some real talent step foot there. One quick note to spectators; 99.9% of you were awesome...thanks! A couple of words of wisdom to the others. Please don't let your dog (off a leash) wander on to the course. And it's great to cheer for your family/friend...please be aware of the other runners before you jump on the course to run along-side them. But bottom-line: this race is worth running! | |
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A. D. from Chicago, IL
(10/21/2013)
"Great Fall Marathon" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is a good size race. Great organization. Plenty of water stop, each one of them organized with water first, then Gatorade, then water again. Plenty of support on the course. Lots of stations, three stops with GU, bananas, etc. The Expo is good size, easy to get to. Free parking near the start line. Hotels are very reasonable in the area. Volunteers are one of the best ever. Yes, the first half is a bit hilly, but youve been warned. It actually helped me run a smarter race. The wind in the second half could be a factor, but yes, it is possible to PR here. My one complain is regarding the tracking system. It did not work for us. Not sure why, but it did not give any updates. The bands on the course are fantastic. More spectators than you may expect at the race this size. Lots of food at the finish line. Thank you for pizza, beer, and ice cream. Hard to imagine a better recovery& All in all, a great race. Thank you Des Moines! | |
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W. S. from Chicago, IL
(10/21/2013)
"Best organized race ever!" (about: 2013)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From the expo to the race course, everything was smooth, comfortable, and well designed. Even the weather was perfect. Highly recommend this race to anyone looking for a PR or a pleasant morning run. | |
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C. B. from Iowa
(10/20/2013)
"Did it up this time!" (about: 2013)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Fantastic event this year. The course displayed a lot of Des Moines and was lined with spectators throughout. I believe the marathon relay helped with this. The amenities after the event were fantastic and well organized. The individuals coming in near the 5 hour mark could still get a massage and full service. My only complaint was a lack of porto-potties near the start line. There was no lack of them on the course but near the starting line I did not see any. However, after I finished and there was adequate lighting, I saw plenty at the finish area one block over. Very pleased with this event, very well put together! | |
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R. S. from Urbandale, Iowa
(6/14/2013)
"Enjoyed this run" (about: 2012)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This course has a few hills roughly miles 3-8 but after that is mostly flat. Nothing unbearable at all. There was a nice pace team, you get to run through Drake Stadium, and there are a good number of spectators. The stations are well stocked and this is a well supported race. I plan to do it again in 2013. Nice medal and tech shirt. | |
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L. C. from Des Moines, Iowa
(4/21/2013)
"Amazing first marathon!" (about: 2012)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The IMT Des Moines Marathon was my first marathon. The course, spectators, and gear were all amazing. Will be running it again this year. | |
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S. C. from Sioux City, IA
(3/18/2013)
"My favorite thus far" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my favorite thus far. The people, support, course... | |
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Michael Haden from Iowa
(12/1/2012)
"Great flat course and GREAT Supporters" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 4-5 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The Des Moines Marathon in an up and coming marathon for the midwest. A relatively flat and easy course and if you don't like running elbow to elbow with thousands and thousands of runners this race is for you. The race has all the water/gatorade stations that a major marathon like Chicago and Boston have but you don't have to fight to get to them. Enjoy the fall temperatures of Iowa and the friendly people and make this a marathon to remember this coming fall 2013. |
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