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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 111 to 121]
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Jason Stamper from Wichita, KS
(10/25/2008)
 "Recommended" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Nice tree-lined course with rolling hills early on. I agree with the earlier comment that we need to keep volunteers to either side of the road. Thanks to Adam (MD), Mike (CA), and Kirk (CA) for a great run. It was a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for the advice and encouragement. | |
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Joel Sutton from Lorimor, Iowa
(10/24/2008)
 "Support and fans are AMAZING" (about: 2008)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon and it was an amazing experience. The city of Des Moines turns out en masse to support this event. The fans and support are outstanding. Water and aid stations every two miles, support/aid folks on bikes the entire course, and enough fan support to keep the course interesting. It got a little thin at Water Works Park and Gray's Lake, but other than that, it couldn't be better. The expo was not nearly as large as I expected, but I don't have anything to compare it to, so I won't. I'll be back again next year. | |
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D. S. from Michigan
(10/22/2008)
"Well organized. Course is not as easy as it seems" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 From the outset, this is one of the best organized events I've seen. You could tell that they thought a lot of things through. Expo: Easy bib pickup, comfortable expo. No hassle. Start/finish venue: Good plan and organization, plenty of porta-potties, good accessibility, amphitheater setting for warm-ups/live bands, or you could warm-up indoors nearby. The baggage drop-off was a little disorganized but the only real "issue" I had was that, although they had plenty of porta-potties, the string of potties along the start meant that there were lines backed up through where the runners were trying to line up. Staggered starting times for different race events (including an early start for walkers) went well. Lots of support along the course and on the course (bike patrols). Closed course. Pockets of spectators and a scattering of live music (including a tuba, harp and some flutes). Fluid stations and snack/GU stations were adequate. Lots of porta-potties along course too. The weather was perfect, really: 60's, and the wind really wasn't noticeable until the latter part of the course when you get down toward the river/lake and the last two miles into town. The course: I knew the course wasn't perfectly flat, but although nothing was severe, there did seem to be more hills than suggested in the profile. There are several portions throughout the race where the course folds and you pass or see the later mile-marks, and although you get to see the leaders, it does get a little demoralizing after awhile. Highlights were the start up to the capital at dawn and the lap around Drake Stadium at mid-race. Finish was organized, plenty of food and crowd controlled. Nice medal. I didn't partake in any of the local runner post-race activities, but there was good community involvement all around. I stayed at the Holiday Inn-Downtown. The pre-pay rates were better than the marathon rates. | |
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J. D. from Chicago
(10/22/2008)
 "Very good small-to-mid-sized marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I really enjoyed this race; there were some solid hills in the first 3-8 miles, but it's not too bad and the rest of the course was flat and scenic. There's a good mix of residential, forest preserve/park, and downtown running. Spectators were great and the finishing medal was really nice. My only complaint (I know it's not the race director's fault) was the 3:30 pacer: he should be ashamed of himself. He basically ran a 3:20 pace for the first 23 miles, but then stopped and meandered to the finish in order to get the correct time (needless to say, he was by himself at mile 23). The only other things to realize is that many marathoners will be finishing at the same time, as walkers who did the half marathon; thus, the walkers many times blocked/obstructed the runners despite being asked repeatedly not to do so. BOTTOM LINE: A very nice, small/mid-sized marathon in a friendly city. | |
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Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX
(10/21/2008)
"Outstanding!" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 IMT Des Moines Marathon Des Moines, IA Sunday, October 19, 2008 8:00 AM I flew into Des Moines on Friday evening and stayed in the Downtown Holiday Inn, which provided the transportation from and to the airport, as well as late check out on Sunday. Packet pick-up at the Convention Center on Saturday morning was very efficient. Each runner received a bag of goodies and a nice long-sleeved technical shirt. There was also a good expo. Pre-race pasta dinner was good too. Race morning temperature ranged from mid 40s to mid 60s. It was sunny and windy, and both became hindering factors as the day progressed. The race started and finished in Nollen Plaza in the downtown. We ran through some very nice residential neighborhood and paved trails. We shared the first 2.7 miles with half marathoners. From that point to somewhere between miles 8 and 9 was hilly. Shortly before mile 12, we entered the Drake University's stadium and ran the blue-colored track once. Shortly after mile 18 marker, we crossed the Raccoon River into Water Works Park and ran a loop around a lake for nearly 3 miles and it was quite windy. Shortly after mile 22 marker, we entered the Gray's Lake Park and circled the lake, which was about 2 miles and strong winds challenged us again. Then to the finish line. There were water/Gatorade stations at every other mile up to mile 20, then every mile. There were entertainments in various sports. Crowd support was very good in several neighborhoods/locations. There were pace groups. There were sports gels in couple of places. Nice finisher's medallion. There were all kinds of refreshments at the finish line, as well as massage therapists. In short, it was an outstanding running event and I commend the organizers for designing a scenic marathon route, which showcased their attractive city. I am a 50-stater and this was #43. | |
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M. B. from Missouri
(10/21/2008)
 "Perfect choice for a fall marathon" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is just a great marathon. And, here's why: - Great course. Good mix of some hills, nice residential areas, parks, some little out-and-backs where you can see other runners and a lap around the track at Drake Stadium. - Great volunteers everywhere. - Reasonable entry fee. - Nice expo. Easy accessibility, good number of vendors, well organized. - Spectator-friendly. - Nice finish line area that is open to everyone. It's so nice to finish a race and have your family and friends right there. - Adequate aid stations, very visible mile markers, plenty of porta-potties, and several opportunities for gels. - The shirt in 2008 was the best race shirt I've ever received. - Good water and Gatorade Endurance. Much appreciated! This race is top-notch in my book, and I will be back to run it again and again. Thank you to the director, all the wonderful volunteers and the city of Des Moines for putting on such a great event. | |
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L. Z. from Lincoln, Nebraska
(10/21/2008)
"Wonderful place to run!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the half-marathon. Beautiful city, great expo, plenty of race-day parking, beautiful course, aid stations were well manned and stocked, course entertainment and support were wonderful (70's lounge singer was the best!), very cool medals, and post-race food and beverage were wonderful and plentiful; I am going to try to do this course every year because it was so nice! Thanks to the RD and volunteers and the City of Des Moines for a great experience! | |
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D. H. from Running Heaven
(10/20/2008)
"5 Stars for DM" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The Race Director and the countless volunteers of the Des Moines Marathon deserve tremendous credit. The marathon and half-marathon were wonderful events. The course was well staffed and supported, the crowd was energetic, the entertainment was lively, and the extras (great shirts, excellent medals, ample finish line food) were all perfect. I enjoy this event more each year. Great job! | |
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C. O. from Des Moines, IA
(10/20/2008)
"Loved the experience" (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I'll start by saying this was my first marathon and that I am from Des Moines and so I am partial. The organization was fabulous. I liked the start and the finish just fine and they seem to have made some changes that would answer to 2007 comments. I'd just say that coming off Foster Drive and going across 42nd Street was confusing, and a number of people went north on 42nd for a couple steps before they realized they had to jog south to get on Tonawanda. Also in Waterworks Park when the participants back tracked after the loop and headed toward Gray's Lake - at that point the volunteer wasn't making gestures to let us know and as you are tired, it was a little confusing (for a second). The hills south of Grand on the route are not as steep as compared to the hills in the eastern and southern section of that neighborhood, which is where I train. Waterworks Park is mentally challenging - I'm proud of myself for getting through such a challenge for my first marathon. Adding Drake was great! The spectators in Waterworks Park were more hard-core/devoted than on Kingman/Polk and I appreciated them much more. Ditto for the ones toward the end of the race. I would ask that the porta-potties not be placed so close to the timing mats as I had a friend who almost missed the mat because she used the facilities! The volunteers were incredible and consistently cheering everyone on. I loved having runners, walkers, pace teams and relays. I liked seeing everyone. Course support was everywhere, which was comforting although I never needed them. I'm glad I had such a good experience - I'm sore, but I'm hooked! | |
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J. D. from Fargo ND
(10/20/2008)
"Very scenic, fun course, but be prepared for hills" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was just my second marathon. I came into it being very confident, and hoping for a good time. However, for any inexperienced marathoners out there, take note: BE PREPARED FOR THE HILLS! Many people say that the hills between miles 3 and 9 are not too bad. But they do take their toll on you, and you will likely feel it towards the last 10 miles or so. I was doing great until mile 17 and was devastated by cramps. So work in a lot of hill training when preparing for this. Other than that, the overall experience was great! The city was nice, spectators were wonderful and the course was very scenic. The support crew, those on bikes and at medical and aid stations were fantastic! Overall, a great race to run! |
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