Urban Charm
Des Moines is more than just cornfields. Some people say, it’s culture without the cost. Art without the attitude. Travel without the traffic. And walkability without the worry.
Race day starts with a 1.2-mile urban swim in Gray’s Lake with downtown Des Moines acting as your background. Athletes will push their limits on this 56-mile ride featuring rolling hills and city views. As you transition to the last leg of your race, you will feel the energy of this up-and-coming city. The final leg of this race features an action-packed city tour, spectator lined trails and a downtown finish line you and your support crew will never forget.
Come experience the urban charm for yourself.
Swim
This unique, spectator friendly point-to-point course will start athletes at the iconic peninsula of Gray’s Lake. While athletes are swimming, their support crew can stand on the Gray’s Lake Bridge and watch them the whole time. Athletes will finish their swim just steps from Transition right in the heart of Gray’s Lake Park.
Bike
The course will take athletes from downtown Des Moines to the beautiful countryside of West Des Moines and back. With rolling hills and beautiful scenery, this course offers something for all athletes. On mostly new roads, smooth pavement, and closed to traffic this course is fast and safe! Will Des Moines be the place you set a new PR?
Run
The run course takes place in the heart of downtown Des Moines. Consider this a tour of the things that make Des Moines an up-and-coming destination. The course starts on the trail of beautiful Grays Lake where nature and city harmonize. Next, the athletes will run around Principal Park, where the Iowa Cubs play ball. After a trip to the ball park, athletes will run along the Des Moines river, making their way to the Women of Achievement Bridge. On the way, be sure to wave to all the skateboards at Lauridsen Skate Park – the biggest skate park in the country and home of the Dew Tour. Finally, athletes will make their way back downtown, through the eye-catching art district, and into the finish line. Great for spectators and athletes both, this course is compact, flat, and attention grabbing.
Swim: LAKE
Bike: ROLLING
Run: FLAT
Avg Air Temp: 71° F / 22° C
Avg Water Temp: 72° F / 22° C
LESS
First Time Learning Experience
This was an awesome race as I'm sure all IronMan series events probably are. The swim was cold for me because my wetsuit broke before the race on race morning...no … MORE
This was an awesome race as I’m sure all IronMan series events probably are. The swim was cold for me because my wetsuit broke before the race on race morning…no other option but to swim without it. The bike section was very hilly! Did my best to go easy when it was hard and to go hard when it was easy. The run was fine and there’s no feeling like crossing a finish line haha