Welcome to Des Moines
"If you like friendly people, fun activities and well organized events, come to the IMT Des Moines Marathon. It should be on every marathoner's to do list."
Jeff Galloway, U.S. Olympian and Runner's World editor/columnist.
Welcome to Des Moines!
While you are in town for the race you will experience the wonderful hospitality that the City of Des Moines extends towards the running community. Our vibrant city is home to the Drake Relays, Hy-Vee Triathlon, Grand Blue Mile, Dam to Dam, Capital Pursuit, Living History Farms Off-Road Race, and the IMT Des Moines Marathon.
Thank you for selecting Des Moines!
Enjoy our shopping, restaurants, family attractions, the fall day and all our city has to offer. Most importantly, have a great race.
Race weekend offers a schedule of family-friendly activities that kicks off with the two-day Scheels Sports & Fitness Expo, which features exhibitors from around the country specializing in apparel, events, and trends for the athlete on the move. The MidAmerican Speaker Series features demonstrations and speakers who will inform and inspire you. The Kids Expo and Run will keep the little ones entertained and tuned into our sport on Saturday morning, while the Above + Beyond Cancer Pasta Dinner later that night will have you carbo-loaded and ready for race morning.
Have a comment or question? Visit the Frequently Asked Question page first. Contact Us if you are not finding the information that you are looking for.
To make hotel reservations for your upcoming visit to Des Moines please click on the Hotels page of the website. Be sure to identify yourself with the IMT Des Moines Marathon when booking your room to receive advertised room rates.
Getting Here
The Iowa Tourism Office has free Iowa transportation maps and travel guides. The virtual 2012 Iowa Travel Guide provide you with accommodations, attraction and travel ideas that can enhance the IMT Des Moines Marathon experience for you and the entire family.
Links of Interest
State of Iowa
Iowa Department of Transportation
City of Des Moines
Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau
By Automobile
From Interstate I-80 or I-35 into Des Moines, Iowa go east or west (depending on which direction you are coming from) on Interstate I-235 (freeway) to downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Take exit 8A, Wells Fargo Arena exit, which will direct you to 3rd Street Downtown. 3rd Street will take you to Hy-Vee Hall, located in the Iowa Events Center, for the Scheels Sports & Fitness Expo.
The same directions on race day will take you the to heart of race activities at Nollen Plaza for the start and finish area of the IMT Des Moines Marathon races. You will find more parking options available on race morning if you take the 5th Street exit towards downtown from exit 8A.
By Plane
Once you arrive at the Des Moines International Airport, be sure to stop at the Welcome Center/Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau booth for information on the Des Moines area and how to get around.
If you need to rent a vehicle, you can save 10% by renting with Enterprise if you provide promotional code 62C1802 over the phone at 888.736.8222. You can also rent from Enterprise online, simply register under a business class, enter code 62C1802 and then DES for your pin code when prompted.
Take Fleur Drive and head north (left out of the airport) towards downtown. Merge onto the Grand Avenue exit after you pass Gray's Lake Park on your right. Merge right onto Locust Street from the exit ramp, which will naturally lead you into downtown Des Moines beginning with 17th Street. The streets will get smaller as you continue to head through downtown. Most of the downtown host hotels are between 10th Street and 4th Street.
Know Downtown
Visitor Resources
The Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau is an excellent resource for activities in the greater Des Moines area ranging from shopping, restaurants, lodging and entertainment options for the entire family.
The Downtown Community Alliance, an affiliate of the Greater Des Moines Partnership offers
Know Downtown featuring a calendar of events, maps and activities that take place...well, in downtown Des Moines. They also offer various maps of the downtown area including Hy-Vee Hall located in the Iowa Events Center. You'll find maps of the skywalk system, parking ramps with free weekend parking and even a Capital Striders five mile running route that begins two blocks from the IMT Des Moines Marathon start line at Nollen Plaza.
Downtown Activities
Iowa.com has additional information on it's website regarding activities in the Des Moines area.
Desmoines365.com has the latest in the cultural buzz about town, including news and events.
Desmoinesalive.com is dedicated to discovering and promoting fun and exciting things to do in Des Moines.
Absolutedsm.com provides a variety of photo galleries of downtown Des Moines and it's skylines.
Everything you wanted to know about Des Moines, Iowa.
Downtown Nightlife
IMT Des Moines Marathon festivities will be taking place around town as early as Thursday evening. Several restaurants and bars in the Court Avenue District are looking forward to your arrival downtown.
If you are looking for a fun place to take the family for food and games, try All-Play featuring the latest video games and interactive bowling.
Downtown Attractions
Saturday morning features a world class Farmers Market on Court Avenue.
The Science Center of Iowa, complete with IMAX theater, is a great family activity that is located at the finish line of the Kids Run.
Hy-Vee Hall is home to the Iowa Hall of Pride, which showcases Iowa athletics through interactive kiosks and displays.
The Civic Center of Des Moines features a Broadway show over the course of race weekend.
The Botanical Center is a popular downtown destination for visitors, especially on a rainy day.
The Iowa State Capitol and State Historical Building along with shopping in the East Village are a great way to spend an afternoon.
Oakley Night Cap Cross Cyclocross Race - Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Mullet's
Know Des Moines
The Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines has expanded their family-friendly zoo with an enclosed rainforest and tiger exhibit.
The Des Moines Art Center has a reputation as one of the finest modern art museums in the United States.
Salisbury House and Terrace Hill, the home of Iowa's Governor, are two historic houses open to the public for touring. Salisbury House and Terrace Hill appear on the IMT Des Moines Marathon course.
Experience West Des Moines
Want to see how farming in Iowa has changed over the past 100 years? Visit Living History Farms to view a late 19th Century Iowa town and family farm.
If shopping is what you are looking for take a trip to the Historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines for one of a kind shops or visit Valley West Mall and Jordan Creek Town Center with world-class department stores.
Didn't touch on something of interest to you? Contact us with your question or comment.
Des Moines In The News
In Downtown Des Moines, Revival Is a Team Effort - New York Times
Des Moines, Charming, Impressive and Surprising - Minneapolis Star Tribune
USATF Announces Des Moines and Drake to host 2010 USA Outdoor Championships
In the Spotlight, Ready for Its Closeup - New York Times, December 2, 2007
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