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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 181 to 191]
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J. B. from Urbandale, Iowa
(9/21/2005)
 "Wow! what an improvement!" (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran this last year (04) and this year (05) and what a difference. You can sure tell they were organized, focused and ready to showcase Des Moines. The support, aid, course, expo, shirts/medals/art, finish and results posting were all so much more professional this year! BRAVO! Go TEAM in TRAINING! | |
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E. M. from Dayton, Ohio
(9/20/2005)
 "Fantastic small-city race in a neat state" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 As I understand, this race has gone through some turbulent times over the last couple years, but it seems like the new race director has set this event up to be one of the best marathons in the Midwest. I?ll start with the things that still need improvement, but I?ll preface it by saying that I know the new race director didn?t have much time to identify and remedy these problems prior to this year?s race. I?m offering this criticism only to help the event improve?not to scare runners away. First, there were not nearly enough port-a-johns at the start line. The lines were long and slow, and there was no way to get to a toilet in the last 20 minutes leading up to the start. Also, there was no food on the course?no fruit, bread, or anything. There were gels at about mile 18, but that was way too little too late. Along the same line, the drinks were not kept very cold, and by the time I crossed the finish line (3:20s) there was no bottled water or pop left?just warm PowerAid, which I was sick of drinking by then. Some good news regarding the drinks was that a few of the volunteers were wearing plastic gloves while passing drinks to runners, but the bad news was that most of them were not wearing gloves. The shirts that were included with registration were covered with too much screenprinting. In my opinion, running shirts should have minimal printing (to let them breath), and should be made of a poly-blend technical fabric. The only other criticism I have is that my downtown hotel didn?t offer a late checkout, which is always a huge bonus for out-of-staters like myself. Now the good stuff. The volunteers were generous and encouraging, as were the people who came out to cheer us on. The number of spectators was not overwhelming, but it was impressive given the lack of coverage by the local media. Also, Des Moines is a picturesque, classy, clean, safe little city parked in the middle of the friendliest state in the USA, and it was easy to get to the downtown area. The course was also scenic and shaded, running through upscale neighborhoods and parks, and spanning two rivers and a lake. Two simple things that added a touch of class to the event were a derby-style bugler at the start, and the announcement of runners? names and hometowns as they crossed the finish line. I expect this marathon to improve under its new direction, but even if it doesn't, it's a quality event in a quality city. | |
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David Tucker from Westland, MI
(9/20/2005)
 "Fun!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This marathon was well-organized from start to finish and beyond. The course was well laid out through the city and local parks. The finish was good with both food and entertainment. | |
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J. G. from Birmingham, AL
(9/20/2005)
 "Great race, but the mile markers were not accurate" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 According to my Garmin watch (which I've worn in 12 or more marathons), the watch indicated the course was 26.67 miles. That's entirely too much extra distance for a marathon especially if someone is trying to accomplish a personal record. Also, all of the mile markers were further than my watch indicated. | |
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M. R. from Ames, Iowa
(9/20/2005)
"Needs Improvement" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I had heard great things about this race, but unfortunately was disappointed. The first part of the course was very enjoyable and had lots of spectator support. The second part had little spectator support, and when I finished (with lots of folks behind me) the finish line was basically deserted. There was also no food left, which was very disheartening and not good for post-race therapy. The massage folks were even starting to shut down and leave. The last part in particular just felt like I was out on a training run and happened to finish at a place where a race had finished earlier in the day. This was my first marathon experience and while I'm thrilled that I finished, the whole experience wasn't the best. | |
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Robbie Allen from Louisville, KY
(9/20/2005)
 "A pain fest in prairie land" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a race that is really trying hard to be a good race. Very friendly, good organization and they aim to please. It has the potential to be a good medium size race. Race Organizers went out of their way to accommodate every need. (expect for race day packet pick up?grrrr). Midwestern hospitality was in full swing. The course is not the best. The first ½ is slightly hilly but at least it is interesting. You traverse the downtown, the river and then up into the nice residential areas of the city. The second half is very boring. It is a slough though a huge urban park. It is flat but very dull with little support. Maybe if the race just turned around at the ½ way it might be more interesting. Pros ? - Friendly ? good buzz in the whole city. - Good crowds for a small town. - Nice surface flat mostly..hills are early and shaded. Cons ? -Needs more water stops over 20. (one every mile would be nice). Over all it is a nice race that tries hard! PS - don?t move the date to October!( it is on the web site for 2006) It will just be lost with the other bigger races! | |
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B. H. from Glencoe, IL
(9/19/2005)
"A classic way to tour a vintage Midwestern town." (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Des Moines is a clear snapshot of a Midwestern town. The course gently wanders through the neighborhoods and park settings replete with a few rolling hills, local flavor and community involvement. Most of the locals were on their lawn chairs enjoying the race as if it were the 4th of July parade. The start and finish lines are right outside the front door of the host hotel. The pre and post festivities are also just across the street. The support team was wonderfully kind and glad to help. The entire host hotel staff was also very supportive - logistics, gear, travel questions, etc. whatever you asked, they had answers and smiles. The course was very simple, well marked and professionally managed with a respectful crew of cyclists who always near those who were in need of support. I think it is the best little race in the Midwest. If you want a simple getaway for the weekend - do this race and bring the spouse. | |
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T. M. from Des Moines, IA
(9/19/2005)
"Much Improved!" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Des Moines Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This year I walked the marathon (a very pleasant change of pace -- figuratively and literally), and this course and this organization are both truly walker-friendly. While the prior race director's enthusiasm and spirit were definite assets, the current leadership has made dramatic improvements in logistics (esp. course signage and course control). To all who worked on this race, thanks and good job! | |
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Wade Morris from Birmingham, Alabama
(9/19/2005)
"Well Organized Race" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Des Moines Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 The organization was incredible and as well done as any race I have done. I thought that the most innovative thing done at the expo was to have someone have a power point presentation of the course which showed everything including elevation, mile by mile. For someone who had not raced the course, that was a great help in my preparation for the next day. They had many helpers on the course riding bikes to give help in any way, which included giving water, vaseline, etc. Even though I did not need anything from them, it was comforting to know that they were there. The first part of the race is pretty hilly, but being from Birmigham, Alabama, it was no harder than my training runs. The only problem was the heat which only God can control. | |
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Anne Lash from Des Moines, Iowa, USA
(9/19/2005)
"Wonderful for a first marathon!" (about: 2005)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was the perfect course for my first half-marathon. The course was mostly flat with a couple manageable hills. Water/Powerade stations were perfectly spaced apart. Various bands and music groups were a wonderful asset. The spectators were wonderful. Only complaint...not enough port-o-potties pre-race. I barely got to go in time, and many didn't. Overall, it's a great race. |
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