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@phoqueun

West Des Moines, IA Raving since 2024 50 States hopeful/finisher Active 3 months, 3 weeks ago

About Me

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My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (4)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Mesa, AZ Feb 10, 2024 3:25:47
Half Marathon Des Moines, IA Apr 23, 2023 1:36:08
20K Polk City, IA Sep 5, 2020 1:51:40
5K Des Moines, IA Apr 20, 2019 26:28

Future Races (2)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Marathon Anchorage, AK TBD
Marathon Lincoln, NE TBD

Past Races (18)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Green River, WY Aug 17, 2024 4:44:31
Marathon Ashton, ID Jul 20, 2024 3:35:55
Marathon Fargo, ND Jun 1, 2024 3:27:30
Marathon Olathe, KS Apr 20, 2024
Marathon Mesa, AZ Feb 10, 2024 3:25:47
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 15, 2023 3:34:44
Marathon Milwaukee, WI Oct 1, 2023 3:57:03
Half Marathon Polk City, IA Jun 11, 2023 1:36:40
Half Marathon Polk City, IA Jun 3, 2023 1:37:16
Half Marathon Des Moines, IA Apr 23, 2023 1:36:08
Marathon Des Moines, IA Mar 18, 2023 3:35:40
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 16, 2022 3:38:02
Half Marathon Polk City, IA Jun 4, 2022 1:42:05
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 17, 2021 4:17:55
Half Marathon Des Moines, IA Sep 27, 2020 2:04:01
20K Polk City, IA Sep 5, 2020 1:51:40
20K Polk City, IA Jun 1, 2019 3:22:28
5K Des Moines, IA Apr 20, 2019 26:28

My Raves

Overall this was a good experience. We were not able to make to packet pick up the day before the race, but it was no big deal to pick up … MORE

Overall this was a good experience. We were not able to make to packet pick up the day before the race, but it was no big deal to pick up our packets the morning of the race. I was happily surprised to see that they included bib board for the race in the packet.

This definitely a smaller production race which is ok, just know what you are getting into. I am not quite sure exactly how timing worked, as there is not chip timing. Appears that they rely on someone entering your bib number and then clicking in your time when you cross the finish line. Again, not a big deal as I doubt many people are running this course as a qualifier, but seems like with the availability of chip timing, it would be easy to make the switch.

Aid stations were good, stocked with water and Gatorade as well as some snacks. They were set up at decent distances, but bear in mind most of them were self serve. Course was well staffed with volunteers and the county search and rescue.

The course was almost immediately uphill after the 1st mile. the first 2 miles are through town on sidewalks, which get a little narrow. after mile 2, you are on a rural road which is mostly dirt and gravel. the first half is generally uphill with a few downhills throughout. Very challenging, especially with the elevation change. After the turn around, it is still rolling up and down, but eventually becomes downhill before flattening out and finishing through the city.

After race provided water, gatorade and granola bars. They did also have beer tickets and shower tickets available if you needed them for the local rec center. I took advantage of the massage booth set up at the finish line as well.

What would I like to see change: Unfortunately BLM had rounded up all the horses the week before so we were not able to see any on the run. Not the fault of the race at all. Additional post race snacks would have been nice, although there was a festival going on, so there were likely food options available for purchase. The t-shirts and medals don’t have the specific dates of the race on them.

If your looking for a challenging course with beautiful scenery and a small feel, this is definitely worth it.

DIFFICULTY
5
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
4
SWAG
4

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Overall this was a well done race. This is a smaller race, so dont expect a lot of extra frills, but the course itself was absolutely beautiful. You are bussed … MORE

Overall this was a well done race. This is a smaller race, so dont expect a lot of extra frills, but the course itself was absolutely beautiful. You are bussed out of Ashton for the course start. The first part of the marathon is along rural asphalt roads. Keep in mind these roads are active during the run, no traffic control at all, so it is best to pay close attention, although the roads are not that busy and generally drivers were very gracious. At Mesa falls you turn into a camp ground and run along dirt paths, if you want to see the falls, you will need to stop, before turning back out onto the main road. The course is generally flat initially but then has some major downhills after mile 11. At Mile 13 you turn onto trails that run along the river for approximately 4 miles. My only complaint was at this point, as there seemed to be a pretty large gap in add stations here. At mile 17 you start an uphill climb that ends at mile 20 and you then begin some rolling hills back into the city. The last 4 or 5 miles are less scenic as you head into town, but still a good overall experience.

This is a smaller race, so there was not as much crowd support along the way, but those that were out were very supportive. Aid stations were sometimes staffed, sometimes not so they could range from someone being ready to hand you water, to grabbing it off the table, to having to serve yourself. Post race snacks were good, with electrolytes, water, fruit, and bagels, crackers and other snacks. Packet pick up was also pretty basic, no vendors, so make sure you bring everything with you that you need.

We stayed in Rexberg, about 30 minutes away and were even able to head into yellowstone the day before to enjoy the park. Overall this was a scenic race through a small town in the beautiful yellowstone area.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
SCENERY
5
SWAG
2

2 members marked this review helpful. Agree?

Overall a solid course. Mostly flat, some ups and downs in the transition areas. Only complaint would be the after party being significantly removed from the finish line. Post race … MORE

Overall a solid course. Mostly flat, some ups and downs in the transition areas. Only complaint would be the after party being significantly removed from the finish line. Post race snacks were provided, however any real food options were quite a ways removed from the finish line. Good crowd support and very friendly. The course was adjusted from the original so while mileage was correct in the end, it seemed off at the beginning. The expo did seem to have a few more non running related booths from others that I had been to but did have some nice booths.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
SCENERY
3
SWAG
3

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About the only positive to this race is the cool medal and easy parking. The first issue was a lack of communication from the race after signing up. After paying … MORE

About the only positive to this race is the cool medal and easy parking.

The first issue was a lack of communication from the race after signing up. After paying my entry fee, I never received another email from the race with any info.

The expo was incredibly small. One vendor selling shirts for the marathon, which admittedly were better then the race shirt given out. One vendor selling race accessories, like fuel, and fueling belts. Several local businesses were there, but also several water filtration companies with no business being there. Garmin was also there offering a small discount on their products, but it wasn’t any better then any other race I have been too. They were handing out lots of electrolyte samples, I think I walked out with different bottles. Very small.

Parking was easy as there was ample room in the lot right by the start line which was nice. They did a wave start which was not announced until start time. Not a big deal, but would have been nice to know about before hand.

The race through some urban areas to start and there were some people out supporting the runners, but not many. The race then connected onto several trails that run from Olathe out to Lenexa and back. Several times we had to switch to alternate sides of the road and it did not always seem clear which side of the cones we should be running on, especially in the neighborhoods. Aid stations were ok. The initial aid stations had several tables and more volunteers, however as we got further into the race, they shrunk drastically and there were only portajohn at each. At one aid station, no one was there to hand out liquid, you had to grab it off the table.

The last 8 miles of the course had significant uphill gain. The biggest error on the part of the race was failing to properly mark a turn which caused a significant number of runners to have to double back causing an additional .5 to 1 mile length on the overall route. Reading reviews, issues with course length seem to be a trend.

There was no afterparty. No music, no vendors. A small area set up to grab a granola bar, bagel, and milk.

Overall, not a great experience.

DIFFICULTY
4
PRODUCTION
1
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2

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