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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 141 to 151]
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B. K. from Coon Rapids, Minnesota
(10/23/2007)
 "Overall a very good experience" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After getting hammered by the hot weather at Twin Cities, I decided to come back and improve my time. I wasn't alone. TCM and Chicago refugees were well represented. This was my 20th marathon, and 10th different one. Anything critical I have to say is just nit-picking, and please take it in context. You can tell the race leadership cares about this race, and wants to make it perfect. They're darn close, and any dislikes (like course design), may just be stuff we live with. The course: The difficulty of the hills from mile 2-8 was unexpected. I hate deceiving course profiles and this one is. Nevertheless this part of the course was my favorite. Architecture is a personal interest, and this neighborhood had many beautiful and interesting homes and some impressive yard art too. Drake Stadium was a highlight; running in the footsteps of heroes. I was puzzled by the negative comments from last year about the final miles in the park, but now I understand. Those miles were grinders, boring, and the vast vistas ahead discouraging. Never thought I'd complain about the final miles being flat, but I guess I am. This is where fatigue from the early hills comes home to roost. Aid stations: More liquids available on course than I could possibly consume, even on a warm day. I agree with a previous post to keep the Gatorade-water order consistent. Walkers: Bless them, but the clusters of slow half-marathon walkers obstructing the course at the end were an annoyance. I feel petty even mentioning this, because I understand it's a big day for them too. But in the last six miles my patience is shot, sorry! Keep the walkers division; I understand that it's a community marathon and they help cover the budget. Just coaching them to stay right and avoid spreading across the road as they chat would fix this. Staff, volunteers, fans: Uniformly friendly. Midwest hospitality in spades. Loved the many course marshals on bikes too. I hope they had as much fun as it seemed. | |
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K. F. from Coralville, Iowa
(10/23/2007)
"Two Thumbs Up!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was nice to have bits of alternative types of turf (trail gravel, a wooden bridge) rather than concrete and asphalt lining the entire course. The police were professional and created a safe and superior environment. Traffic control and race support were also superb. There were more port-a-potties and water stops than I needed, which was fantastic. I actually ran faster than expected on this course, despite the little rolling hills and my own personal obstacles/glitches. There were nice fellow runners from various cities and excellent volunteers!!! However, I know there are more runners and racing fans living in the Des Moines area. For whatever reason, many of them did not show. Perhaps we need more beer and festivities at the finish? Or do we need more media/posters of the event beforehand? At any rate, this was an outstanding, unforgettable, and a very friendly experience. | |
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E. P. from Des Moines, IA
(10/23/2007)
"Great Marathon!" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my second Des Moines Marathon. I was so happy that they changed the course to have less time in WaterWorks Park. Great volunteers! Good bands! Bike support was everywhere! Great race for first-timers! The only negative was my time... and they can't do much about that! | |
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E. W. from Maple Grove, MN
(10/23/2007)
"Good smaller marathon." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 It is very hilly. There are few spectators, but the spectators that are there are wonderful. Course is very nice and closed to traffic. Many scenic parts, several miles on bike paths (that are wide enough to accommodate the race). If you are expecting a typical marathon with just a few thousand finishers you will be impressed. This one is very well organized. | |
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C. B. from Ingleside, IL
(10/23/2007)
"Great first completed marathon!" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 After not getting to finish the 2007 Chicago Marathon, this was a great first 'full' marathon experience. Loved the hills and neighborhoods in the beginning, and the bike trail was really pretty. The out-and-backs around miles 10-16 were nice - we got to see the elite runners ahead of us on the way out, and on the way back got to see the end of the pack. The course was well-stocked, and crowd support was good... my husband and cousin got to see me about 8 times during the course. I enjoyed the jazz tuba player, electric cello, and harpist, along with other course entertainment. It only took me about a minute to cross the start line, and it was never congested. Great job, Des Moines! What a nice first full marathon experience! | |
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M. W. from Omaha, NE
(10/22/2007)
"Beautiful course, walker-friendly" (about: 2007)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Having lived in Des Moines for my college years, I held mixed emotions about doing this race. I thought I had seen enough of the city in my 6 years there. The marathon today proved me wrong! I was taken on a tour of a city that I mistakenly thought wasn't beautiful, and saw places that I never even knew existed. The Drake track brought me back to my roots. I was a walker inspired to run the track that I had seen Carl Lewis run when I was a student! Frequent porta-potties, water stops, and biking supporters helped too. As a walker, I also appreciated the option of an early start time, the continued support along the course for us slowpokes, and the generous finish time allowed. I wouldn't hesitate doing the race again or recommending it to others! | |
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J. S. from Minnesota
(10/22/2007)
 "Great small race! Fantastic volunteers" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran this after DNF'ing in the heat at Twin Cities. I have to say, they did a GREAT job! I have never seen so many volunteers, water, Gatorade... and the course aid was a constant (and reassuring) presence on their bikes cheering us along! Not a lot of spectators in the later miles, and the first 7 miles of hills were a true challenge. Beautiful scenery, and the city couldn't have been more welcoming. I especially liked getting my race medal from the race director himself. | |
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D. L. from mn
(10/22/2007)
 "ok" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I thought the marathon was very well run. The course had many hills from miles 3-11 which will take there toll on you later in the race. the course had to many loops around ponds/parks in which you could see miles ahead and that plays a head game with you. The race support crews were all over so if you needed anything they had it. I didn't understand the water stops, some were very close to each other some had the water 1st and others had the sport drink 1st. confusing to us dumb runners. The post race food wasn't much to talk about, apples/oranges/bananas, the stuff people eat b-4 a race. Nobody wants more water at the finish, we want and need sugar, i.e. pop/o.j. The finishers shirt was a long sleeve cotton, nothing fancy, but ok. Getting to and from the start/finish was no problem, also the Ymca was just a few blocks away and was open for runners b-4 and after the race which was very nice. | |
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M. C. from Chicago, Il
(10/22/2007)
 "Hills early, great volunteers all the way" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 There are hills before the eight mile mark, not so bad. More than half of the course was under shade. The last third takes you through some parks which I liked. Volunteers were very helpful I especially liked the bike support. Nothing like getting a Kleenex at speed. Kudos to the race committee for using both kinds of stone to keep the course dry. We stayed at the Quality Inn which had no problem with the late check out for all of us. I also had the pleasure of running 16 miles with Roger Biggs the day after he ran Kansas City. Des Moines makes 423 for Roger, I'm not worthy. | |
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M. H. from Iowa
(11/8/2006)
 "Not Bad, But Needs Work" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was my 17th marathon and I had an alright experience. I wasn't too wild about the first seven miles; it took a lot of energy getting through those hills - energy I needed later in the race - and it was a little too lonely during miles 14-24. I also think the course was a little long; that last mile stretched out forever. I've run enough marathons to know how the last mile feels. Expo and merchandise left something to be desired also, and post-race refreshments were scarce. Hotels need to be more open-minded about late check-out as well; I felt super rushed when I finished and I ended up at Hooters for my post-race refreshments. |
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