The IMT DMM was my 1st full marathon. The Expo was cool but fairly small with only a couple of vendors there and a few organizations with booths to pass … MORE
The IMT DMM was my 1st full marathon. The Expo was cool but fairly small with only a couple of vendors there and a few organizations with booths to pass through. I attended the athlete briefing on Saturday night which I found to be helpful.
Getting into the corral on Sunday morning was a bit chaotic as there was only one gate opening that I could find. They finally opened up a second corral panel to let runners onto the street and into the lineup.
The course itself was pretty neat. I enjoyed looking at all the old houses in the first 10K and running around the Blue Oval was pretty cool. Getting into the park areas was nice for a few miles but got a little boring as far as scenery and such goes which was tough as you approach the 20 mile mark and there’s not many spectators out there.
Coming back into downtown for the finish was great though. The streets were lined as I approached the finish line which made for a strong finish. I wish they would have had a gate opening closer to the finish though so I could have gotten off the course to hug my family sooner. I didn’t stick around much for the post-race party as my feet were shot. I was happy I could hobble back to my hotel a few blocks away.
I booked my hotel through the race website which was pretty convenient. Water stations were frequent enough for my needs and all of the volunteers were great! Iowa is truly the best!
My only “complaint” is that I was hoping to purchase a cool sweatshirt or jacket like you see all the people that run in Chicago or NYC wearing around and the only offerings were a sweatshirt which they sold out of and a tshirt. The vest that came with the race entry was okay but not something I would ever purchase probably on my own.
Overall it was a great experience for my first marathon and I will probably be back for a better time in the future!
Please login to reply to this review.
Perfect Race for a First Marathon
The IMT DMM was my 1st full marathon. The Expo was cool but fairly small with only a couple of vendors there and a few organizations with booths to pass … MORE
The IMT DMM was my 1st full marathon. The Expo was cool but fairly small with only a couple of vendors there and a few organizations with booths to pass through. I attended the athlete briefing on Saturday night which I found to be helpful.
Getting into the corral on Sunday morning was a bit chaotic as there was only one gate opening that I could find. They finally opened up a second corral panel to let runners onto the street and into the lineup.
The course itself was pretty neat. I enjoyed looking at all the old houses in the first 10K and running around the Blue Oval was pretty cool. Getting into the park areas was nice for a few miles but got a little boring as far as scenery and such goes which was tough as you approach the 20 mile mark and there’s not many spectators out there.
Coming back into downtown for the finish was great though. The streets were lined as I approached the finish line which made for a strong finish. I wish they would have had a gate opening closer to the finish though so I could have gotten off the course to hug my family sooner. I didn’t stick around much for the post-race party as my feet were shot. I was happy I could hobble back to my hotel a few blocks away.
I booked my hotel through the race website which was pretty convenient. Water stations were frequent enough for my needs and all of the volunteers were great! Iowa is truly the best!
My only “complaint” is that I was hoping to purchase a cool sweatshirt or jacket like you see all the people that run in Chicago or NYC wearing around and the only offerings were a sweatshirt which they sold out of and a tshirt. The vest that came with the race entry was okay but not something I would ever purchase probably on my own.
Overall it was a great experience for my first marathon and I will probably be back for a better time in the future!
Love this course!
Well organized run, normally starts on time but didn't in 2023. Beautiful and fairly flat easy course, there are some hills in the beginning but its nice to get the … MORE
Well organized run, normally starts on time but didn’t in 2023. Beautiful and fairly flat easy course, there are some hills in the beginning but its nice to get the hills done early while the legs are still strong. Several areas where your family or support people can cheer you on. There is normally loads of food choices at the finish but this year just cold pizza.
Beautiful Fall Race
The Des Moines races are always wonderful. The weather is nearly always perfect for long distance running (mid-40s to 50s). The race route is flat, for the most part, and … MORE
The Des Moines races are always wonderful. The weather is nearly always perfect for long distance running (mid-40s to 50s). The race route is flat, for the most part, and lined with trees all changing colors in the fall months. The crowds and volunteers are second to none! I would highly recommend this race to new racers, runners looking to PR and anywhere in between!
Good for my first marathon
This was my first marathon and was glad it was well supported overall. The scenery was great and overall was good route. The public support along the route was great … MORE
This was my first marathon and was glad it was well supported overall. The scenery was great and overall was good route. The public support along the route was great as well and plenty of water stations throughout. The route is very safe. The only complaint I have is they ran out of finishers medals. I understand I am a slow runner but was a disappointment to put in the time training and not have it at the end.
Love Downtown DSM
The half-marathon has very little elevation, which makes it great if it's your first time participating in a long run like this. The race also has great scenery. MORE
The half-marathon has very little elevation, which makes it great if it’s your first time participating in a long run like this. The race also has great scenery.
Love this race
The scenery is absolutely gorgeous! They changed the route up a bit this year, and I thought it was even better! I hope they keep this route for next year … MORE
The scenery is absolutely gorgeous! They changed the route up a bit this year, and I thought it was even better! I hope they keep this route for next year as well. The medal this year was outstanding! Definitely better than last year’s. The running vest was a good idea for part of our swag, but it was just ok. The start of the race was a bit rough with a delay, and it was overcrowded at first, which is probably part of the reason why we had to go in waves, and was probably part of the delay, because runners couldn’t fit to line up, but it worked out overall. My overall opinion is that I always highly recommend this race. It’s one of my favorites that I continue to sign up for. I was glad the weather was absolutely perfect this year. I really enjoyed the set up at Cowell’s Commons as well.
Good race!
One of my pet peeves is when a race doesn't start on time. We were delayed 15 minutes and it was very cramped for most of the beginning of the … MORE
One of my pet peeves is when a race doesn’t start on time. We were delayed 15 minutes and it was very cramped for most of the beginning of the course. The actual course was pretty, especially when we got out on the trail. The elevation map showed a gain towards the end of the race and my friend and I didn’t even notice it. Overall a great race, but start on time.
Flat course and incredible pace team
The half course is very flat and fast. Big shout out to all the pacers who helped so many of us PR! Start line was a bit of a mess, … MORE
The half course is very flat and fast. Big shout out to all the pacers who helped so many of us PR!
Start line was a bit of a mess, and it was difficult to get into the corral. Other than that everything ran very smoothly.
Weather wasn’t great for the outdoor packet pickup and expo, but I didn’t mind it being outside.
Annual go-to race, disappointed this yr
Love doing this race every year for many reasons, however found myself disappointed in several aspects this year. The starting line & corral was a mess - several of us … MORE
Love doing this race every year for many reasons, however found myself disappointed in several aspects this year. The starting line & corral was a mess – several of us runners could barely budge into the corral and start time was 10-15 minutes late. The course had been the same for several years (a wonderful one!) but was changed up this year. Not a fan of that for more than one reason – several less areas for spectators to cheer on; hardly any entertainment along the course (used to have A LOT); & had to do a switch back on a narrow path after Gray’s Lake. Spectators mentioned to me that they would’ve liked to get around to easily see us more than just once as well, which was difficult with the course set up. After crossing the finish line, we were in the corral for longer than normal trying to get to the medals, the drinks, and then the food which was much less than normal and no varying options. Post race entertainment seemed cheaper in many ways. Overall, just disappointed in the changes that were made.
Best Midwest Half
I’ve run this half twice, this year and 10 years ago. The route was different this year and I will say I liked the old route better, but I get … MORE
I’ve run this half twice, this year and 10 years ago. The route was different this year and I will say I liked the old route better, but I get it that in 10 years things change. I LOVE this race, very well planned and managed, spectators are wonderful and are all along the route. I registered 2 days before the race this year and still had a great experience, everything was ready and went very smooth. I am hoping to run the full marathon next year!
Fun fall race
The scenery was nice and took us from downtown through some trails with nice fall foliage and around a lake. I would have appreciated a water station in the first … MORE
The scenery was nice and took us from downtown through some trails with nice fall foliage and around a lake. I would have appreciated a water station in the first 3 miles.
Great course and organizers
The updated course was very nice. There were lots of water and aid stations. The race gave fun swag and was well organized. The volunteers were friendly and helpful. MORE
The updated course was very nice. There were lots of water and aid stations. The race gave fun swag and was well organized. The volunteers were friendly and helpful.
Great relay event!
We keep coming back as a corporate team for the relay. Great course, fun fans, and good time to hang out running a race as a team! Liked the outdoor … MORE
We keep coming back as a corporate team for the relay. Great course, fun fans, and good time to hang out running a race as a team! Liked the outdoor expo this year.
Great Race (AS ALWAYS)
This race is spectacular. Never lets me down. From the Expo to the volunteers and of course the spectator, you make this one of my favorites. I have done this … MORE
This race is spectacular. Never lets me down. From the Expo to the volunteers and of course the spectator, you make this one of my favorites. I have done this race for the past 12 years ( minus covid year) and will continue until I can’t anymore.
Poor starting line control,Great scenery
Compared to other half’s that I have run this was by far the poorest starting line. Very limited entry points, pacers were late getting into position and no sense of … MORE
Compared to other half’s that I have run this was by far the poorest starting line. Very limited entry points, pacers were late getting into position and no sense of where runners need yo line up. Recommend learning from the Lincoln marathon that has well established corrals and bibs printed with corresponding corral based on expected finish time. Starting race 10 minutes late was also frustrating.
Good race for the weekend runner.
As someone who didn’t start running until age 47 and didn’t do his first half until 50 I can say this is a good race for the casual runner. Course … MORE
As someone who didn’t start running until age 47 and didn’t do his first half until 50 I can say this is a good race for the casual runner. Course is flat, plenty of aid stations, and the crowd support is really awesome. You start and end in downtown Des Moines but spend the middle portion running through a couple city parks on narrow paved bike paths, it’s a little congested at first but you can definitely find your own space. I’ve ran it twice and it will be the one I don’t miss until I’m done running them completely.
PR course with hills at the beginning
first 2-10 miles have hills, but any uphill is followed by a fast downhill to keep you on pace. Last half is a negative split fast course. nice smaller city … MORE
first 2-10 miles have hills, but any uphill is followed by a fast downhill to keep you on pace. Last half is a negative split fast course. nice smaller city race with room to run and lots of locations for family to cheer you on.
Love the course! It’s beautiful
First of all, this is one of the prettiest courses I’ve run in the US. You start a beautiful downtown area, then go through gorgeous residences, then to the university … MORE
First of all, this is one of the prettiest courses I’ve run in the US. You start a beautiful downtown area, then go through gorgeous residences, then to the university campus, run on the track, then back through a forest, you even get to see horses!!!! And the last 10 miles are pancake flat around parks and lakes!
You have hydration every 2-3 miles, great support along the course, riders in bikes full of goodies! The race has pacers. The start/finish area is gorgeous with the court building as a backdrop, best finisher pictures spot!
Really enjoy this race! Highly recommended!
Very scenic
Great scenic course and super cool to run the Drake college track as part of the course. Hilly first half but fast back half of you run your race the … MORE
Great scenic course and super cool to run the Drake college track as part of the course. Hilly first half but fast back half of you run your race the right way.
Good overall experience
-The expo was efficient but it was outdoors. It was rainy so not the best experience. -Spectator support was limited in various parts of the race, mostly deep in Water … MORE
-The expo was efficient but it was outdoors. It was rainy so not the best experience.
-Spectator support was limited in various parts of the race, mostly deep in Water Works Park and then along the river after Gray’s lake to downtown. Difficult for spectators to even get to some of these areas and along the river (both east and north at the end) there really isn’t places for spectators. Ideally you would have more fan support later in the race but it wasn’t there.
-the WORST thing you can do for a longer road race is to have a 180 degree turn around on a narrow 8 foot wide trail. This happened between miles 10-11 on the half marathon (and miles 23-24 for the marathon) there was a section where you went a couple of 100 yards west on the trail and then did a 180 degree turn around. This is hard on runners especially later in the race. If this needs to be done for the purposes of getting the mileage right, it needs to be done on a wider road so runners can navigate easier.