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Des Moines Marathon Information
Highlights
The IMT Des Moines Marathon showcases a rejuvenated downtown, quaint neighborhoods and lush city parks. The route features a start line at Nollen Plaza with a view of the Iowa Capitol. The first few miles will keep runners and walkers in a pack through the East Village, Court Avenue and Western Gateway districts of downtown Des Moines. It may be difficult to establish a race pace in the early miles of the race.
The Marathon splits from the Half Marathon course just before Mile 3 at Grand Avenue and Fleur Drive and will continue west along Grand Avenue.
A steady 100 foot elevation rise presents itself between miles 3 and 4. Elevation rises and declines over the next 4 miles can and will challenge you in this portion of the race. Athletes have previously referred to this section of the course as having more than 'rolling hills' and 'the early hills taxing them at later miles in the race'.
Do not let what you think you know about Des Moines fool you. We encourage you to incorporate some sort of hills training, at least once a week, into your marathon training program for this race.
The Marathon does flatten out at Mile 8 and for the remainder of the race. Spectators will cheer you on through the North Ingersoll and Drake Neighborhood Associations. A true highlight for many athletes is a loop around the historic track at Drake University.
After completing twelve miles through scenic neighborhood districts, the race offers twelve miles on paved park trails in Greenwood Park, Water Works Park and Gray's Lake Park. The autumn colors and wooded backdrops allow you to really find yourself mentally and physically in this portion of the race. Previous participants have referred to this section of the course as the true test of the marathon.
Once a loop around Gray's Lake is complete, the Marathon returns to the downtown area for the final stretch along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway before turning on 3rd Street to finish at Nollen Plaza.
Pace Teams
Any athlete who wishes to use their own pacer must have the pacer register for the race. If a personal pacer does not have a race number/bib or a Sportag™ timing device, they will be removed from the course by race officials and you may face disqualification from the race.
Pacers from the Van Meter Industrial Pace Team are provided for the Marathon from the 3:00 hour to 5:30 hour mark. IMT Des Moines Marathon pace times mirror Boston Marathon qualifying times.
Awards
Overall awards and cash prizes are offered to the top three male and female finishers and top male and female Master's finishers in the Marathon.
A cash prize is offered to the top male and female finisher from Iowa in the Marathon.
An award is offered to the top male and female finisher who can break the course record in the Marathon.
Age division awards are offered to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups: 14 and under, 15 -19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over (older age group awards as applicable).
Overall awards will be presented at Nollen Plaza during the official Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon does not duplicate or 'double-dip' cash or trophy awards.
Age division winners must pick up their age division award at this time. Age division awards will not be mailed out after race weekend.
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