Aid Stations
Many of the IMT Des Moines Marathon aid stations are staffed by employees and their families of companies sponsorin the race, area high school groups, and volunteers from nonprofit organizations. Aid stations are encouraged to create fun themes and to celebrate race day. Please be sure to thank them for spending a Sunday morning helping you run your best race.
If you have a group interested in hosting an aid station along the course Contact Us and we will follow up with you to determine the best placement for your group.
On the Course
Aid Stations are available roughly every other mile through Mile 20 and then every mile of the IMT Des Moines Marathon course. Crystal Clear Bottled Water and Gatorade Endurance Formula (Lemon-Lime flavor) will be served in 7 0z. cups at each aid station.
Aid stations have been organized to set up Crstal Clear Bottled Water tables before Gatorade Endurance Formula tables and then followed again with Crystal Clear Bottled Water tables as athletes pass each aid station. Some aid stations may stock additional items such as Kleenex, petroleum jelly, gummy bears, orange slices, etc.
Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink that contains approximately twice the amount of sodium (200 mg per 8 ounces) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher, along with chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium to help sustain hydration by more fully replacing what is lost in sweat. Gatorade Endurance Formula also contains a 6% carbohydrate solution (14 grams per 8 ounces), just like Gatorade Thirst Quencher, which research shows is optimal to help speed fluid back into the body and fuel working muscles.
GU Energy gels will be offered at Mile 14 on the Marathon course and Mile 20/Mile 7 on the Marahton/Half Marathon course. Athletes that consume energy gels while running should not rely solely on the GU Energy Gels offered on the course by the IMT Des Moines Marathon. They are offered on a first come first served basis. GU Energy Gels that will offered are Strawberry, Vanilla Bean, Orange Mango, and Chocolate Outrage.
Course Time Limit
The IMT Des Moines Marathon course is open for 7 hours. This allows for a 16 minute per mile pace for the Marathon. Race day services such as course marshals, aid stations, bike support and entertainment have been asked to prepare for a 7 hour day. They have been asked to provide as much support for the last walker as the first elite runner that passes by on the course.
If you are unable to keep a 16 minute per mile pace on the Marathon course, we encourage you to consider participating in the Half Marathon. If on race day you are unable to maintain a 16 minute per mile pace, and would like to finish the race, we encourage you to do so. You will not be removed from the course. However, it is very important that you understand that volunteer services along the course may not still be in place.
You are encouraged to carry a course map with you if you are concerned about maintaining a 16 minute per mile pace. The last 8 miles of the Marathon course take place on paved park roads and trails. The IMT Des Moines Marathon will not pack up and leave you. Members of the Mercy Medical Center first aid stations and sag wagons along with the Bike Iowa support team will remain on the course until every athlete crosses the finish line, receives a finisher medal, official time and post race nourishment.
Marathon Pace Chart - Average Finish Time Marathon Pace Chart - Course Limit
IMT Des Moines Marathon - Combined Course Map
Aid Stations
Many of the IMT Des Moines Marathon aid stations are run by employees of race sponsors, high school students and nonprofit organizations. Aid stations are encouraged to create fun themes and to celebrate race day. Please be sure to thank them for spending a Sunday morning helping you run your best race.
If you have a group interested in hosting an aid station contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon office.
Aid Station Locations
First Aid Stations
If you need medical assistance on the course, try to make it to the nearest Aid Station or Mercy Medical Center First Aid Station. If this is not possible, please stop where you are and a course marshal or member of the Bike Iowa support team will come to you. If necessary, they will alert Mercy Medical Center volunteer sag wagons who will transport you back to Nollen Plaza.
If you have any medical concerns you are welcome to contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon office. You will have an opportunity to place emergency medical information on the back of your personalized race number/bib that you will receive at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo.
Mercy Medical Center First Aid Stations
Start & Finish - Nollen Plaza
Mile 12 - Drake University
Mile 20/7 - Water Works Park
Mile 23/10 - Gray's Lake Park
Mile 25/23 - Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Weather
October tends to be a fairly dry month in Iowa. You will likely experience a bit of a chill to the early morning air on race day. Average lows are in the lower 50's and highs in the upper 60's. We rely on the weather team at ABC 5 for up to the minute weather updates when making our final contingency plans for race weekend.
Old race shirts, a sweatshirt or a pair of gloves are a great examples of ways to stay warm while awaiting the start of the race. Your body will begin to warm up after the first couple miles of the race and you will want to shed layers. Volunteers from the Iowa Homeless Youth Center will pick up any discarded clothing that you leave behind. We also donate all of the food that is leftover from the finish line festivities to this important nonprofit organization in our community.
   
|
