Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do finishers in IMT Des Moines Marathon race divisions receive a shirt and a medal?
A: Yes, a race shirt will be given to registered athletes in all races at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo.
A long sleeve, moisture wicking shirt is offered in the Marathon and Half Marathon.
A long sleeve, cotton shirt is offered in the Marathon Relay and 5K Road Race.
Finisher medals are presented at the finish line in the IMT Des Moines Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay divisions.
Overall and age division awards will be announced at the Awards Ceremony located at Nollen Plaza on race day. Overall and age division awards will be mailed directly to the winners once race results are made official.
Prizes will be given out to random finishers at the finish line area and Michelob ULTRA Run To The ULTRA festivities tent at Nollen Plaza.
Q: What is the course elevation?
A: The IMT Des Moines Marathon does pose hills and elevation challenges from Mile 3 though Mile 8 on the Marathon course before leveling out, while the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon and Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race courses are considered flat. An elevation chart is available in the lower right hand corner of the IMT Des Moines Marathon course map.
Q: Is the IMT Des Moines Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifier course?
A: Yes, the IMT Des Moines Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. Qualifying for Boston is based on a designated finishing time for the age group you fall into on the day of the running of the Boston Marathon.
The race you are trying to qualify with must be USATF certified, such as the IMT Des Moines Marathon, and take place after September of each year. Your qualifying time is good for eighteen months, which means the IMT Des Moines Marathon qualifies you for the next two runnings of the Boston Marathon.
IMT Des Moines Marathon - USATF Certification IA07009-MF
For more information on qualifying, visit the Boston Marathon website.
Q: May I wear headphones on the course?
A: USATF Rule 144.3(b) prohibits the use of technical devices in USATF sanctioned races. i-Pods, Walkman's and other earpiece music players fall within the guidelines of Rule 144.3(b).
The IMT Des Moines Marathon encourages you to educate yourself about the safety hazards associated with the use of music devices while running. Although Rule 144.3(b) is intended to apply to sanctioned track and field events, it is being enforced by some of the larger long distance road races across the United States.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon is a USATF certified course. The IMT Des Moines Marathon is not a USTAF sanctioned race, however it does adhere to the Rules of Competition as laid out by USATF. Rule 144.3(b) is intended to serve as a guideline for road races, allowing each event to determine how to interpret and enforce Rule 144.3(b).
One of the interpretations of Rule 144.3(b) is that it should only apply to athletes competing in a long distance race for cash prizes and/or appearance fees and should not apply to athletes competing for the sake of competition. This interpretation is supported by the IMT Des Moines Marathon Director of Racing and Events. You will not be allowed to collect a cash prize from the IMT Des Moines Marathon if you are shown to be wearing headphones during the race.
You will not be disqualified or removed from the IMT Des Moines Marathon course for using a personal music device on race day if you are not competing for cash prizes. This ruling does not apply to age division categories and awards.
Please be extra cautious and mindful of the volume of your music and your presence on the course as it relates to athletes and spectators around you. You are asked to turn the volume off or only use one earbud during start line announcements and approaching the finish line.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon will do what it can to keep you informed of the latest developments regarding USATF Rule 144.3(b).
USATF Delegates Debate Headphone Ban - November 29, 2007
Q: I would like to walk the IMT Des Moines Marathon or Half Marathon. Is walking allowed?
A: Yes, you are able to walk either the IMT Des Moines Marathon or Half Marathon.
Q: As you may know many marathons and half marathons around the country do allow Nordic Walking with poles. I would like to enter the Half Marathon. Will I be able to walk with Nordic Walking poles this year? http://www.nordicwalkingiowa.com
A: Yes, you are able to walk either the IMT Des Moines Marathon or Half Marathon with Nordic Walking poles.
Q: Can someone ride the course with me on a bike, roller blades, skate board etc.? Can I run/walk with a baby stroller?
A: No. The only people allowed on the course are registered athletes. Baby strollers are not allowed in any of the race divisions.
Q: I would like to start early, can I?
A: IMT Des Moines Marathon does not offer an early start. Anyone who would like to walk the course is welcome to, however they must start with the rest of the Marathon athletes at 8 a.m.
The Marathon course is open for 7 hours. If you feel that this is not enough time to finish a marathon we do understand. We encourage to try the Half Marathon or begin training so that you may participate in next year's race.
Q: Is race day registration available?
A: You may register for any of the races at the Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo, but registration is not offered on race day.
IMT Des Moines Marathon online registration.
Q: I registered for one of the IMT Des Moines Marathon races and cannot make it. Do I get a refund?
A: Sorry, refunds are not offered for any reason. You are also are not able to transfer your registration to another person.
The no refund/transfer policy of the IMT Des Moines Marathon is not unlike refund/transfer policies of most major marathons in the United States.
Q: I have registered for the Marathon and would like to switch my registration to the Half Marathon. What should I do?
A: Please contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon office at the time that you make your final decision to switch your registration to the Half Marathon. You must be registered for the race you plan to participate in. Your registration will be updated. Sorry, we are unable to refund you the difference in price.
Q: I have registered for the Half Marathon and would like to switch my registration to the Marathon. What should I do?
A: Please contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon office at the time you would like to switch your registration to the Marathon. You must be registered for the event you plan to participate in. Your registration will be updated. You will be responsible for paying the price difference between the two events at the time of the registration change.
Q: Is there a host hotel that is offering a discount for IMT Des Moines Marathon athletes? Is there one located near the start of the race?
A: Yes, there are many host hotels associated with the IMT Des Moines Marathon. The Renaissance Savery Hotel, Marriott Downtown, Embassy Suites on the River and Holiday Inn Mercy Campus are within blocks of the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo and start/finish line of the races.
You can learn more at the Travel/Hotels page.
Q: Are the races chip timed and may I provide my own timing chip?
A: Yes, the IMT Des Moines Marathon races are all chip timed utilizing the IPICO (eye-pee-co) timing system. To be technical, the IPICO timing system utilizes timing 'tags' rather than timing 'chips'. They are called a Sportag™.
The End Result will provide IPICO timing services at the races this year.
You are responsible for the IPICO Sportag™ and should attach it to your shoe laces on race day. A volunteer will assist in removing it from your shoe at the finish line. You will be responsible for a lost or unreturned IPICO Sportag™.
Q: I have never used the IPICO Sportag™ before. Help!
A: Don't worry, the IPICO timing system is new to the United States and the IMT Des Moines Marathon. In addition to a course overview IPICO timing system instructions will be given out with your athlete packet at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo.
Q: Where do I pick up my race materials like my race number/bib and timing chip?
A: At the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo
Polk County Convention Complex
501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
You must pick up your athlete packet and activate your IPICO Sportag™ at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo.
Q: I have never attended a Sports & Fitness Expo before. What is it all about?
A: The Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo features official IMT Des Moines Marathon merchandise, souvenirs, gifts, and many exhibitors of health & fitness related products and services.
The Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo is the place to get all the information you'll need to enhance your race weekend experience. It is free and opened to the public...don't miss it!
Q: Where is the pasta dinner located?
A: The Mizuno Pasta Dinner is offered in conjunction with the Fitness Sports Speaker Series from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17. The Mizuno Pasta Dinner will feature Jeff Galloway.
Polk County Convention Complex
501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Register for the Mizuno Pasta Dinner in advance.
Q: Are there reduced price plans?
A: The IMT Des Moines Marathon does not offer reduced price plans.
Q: Will there be any type of shower facilities that runners can use after the Marathon? If not, any gyms/YMCA's close to the finish where I could use their facilities? I plan on catching a flight shortly after the finish to return home and won't be able to go back to the hotel.
A: The Riverfront YMCA will open their doors at 6:00 a.m. on race morning to our athletes. You will have access to the locker rooms, including showers and the gym for stretching. Please remember to bring a lock to secure your valuables. The Riverfront YMCA is located at 2nd and Locust, one block east of Nollen Plaza and all of the race day activities.
Riverfront YMCA
200 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Q: What is the energy drink and gel offered on the course?
A: Gatorade Endurance Formula is offered along with water at aid stations through out the course. You will find one approximately every mile and a half. Some aid stations will be accessible multiple times due to the layout of the various races.
GU energy gels will be offered at the Mercy Medical Center First Aid Stations at Mile 12 and 20 on the Marathon course and at Mile 7 on the Half Marathon course.
Q: How often will there be bathroom breaks on the IMT Des Moines Marathon and Half Marathon course?
A: Some of the bathroom breaks (porta potties) are posted along the route on the IMT Des Moines Marathon course map, though not all of the bathroom breaks are on the map.
More than 150 porta potties are scheduled to be placed along the courses and 100 porta potties to be placed at Nollen Plaza. You will not have to pass more than 2 miles to find a place for relief, should you feel the need. The course is designed to offer aid stations every other mile and porta potties at the miles in between.
Q: Can someone hop on the course for a few miles and run with me as a pacer or even just for fun?
A: No. Each person on the course must be registered and must have a race bib assigned to them. Anyone who is on the course illegally will be removed and you will be disqualified.
Q: What is the procedure if a registered athlete does not finish one of the races? How does one return to the finish? I'm registered for one of the races, but due to training problems, I may only run part of it.
A: If you do decide to run the IMT Des Moines Marathon and need to drop out at any point, we ask that you try to do so at a Mercy Medical Center First Aid Station along the course.
If you are unable to make it to Mercy Medical Center First Aid Station, we understand. Please remove yourself from the race course and wait for a Bike Iowa support team member to approach you along the side of the road, sidewalk or a driveway. They will contact a Mercy Medical Center Sag Wagon vehicle to pick you up and return you to Nollen Plaza.
Q: Are there overall and age division awards?
A: Overall awards and cash prizes are offered to the top three male and female finishers and top male and female Master's finishers in the Marathon and Half Marathon.
A cash prize is offered to the top male and female finisher from Iowa in the Marathon.
A cash prize is offered to the top male and female finisher in the 5K Road Race.
An award is offered to the top male and female finisher who can break the course record in the Marathon.
Age division awards are offered in the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Road Race to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups: 14 and under, 15 -19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over (older age group awards as applicable).
Overall and age division awards will be announced at Nollen Plaza during the official Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon does not duplicate or ‘double-dip’ cash or trophy awards.
Age division awards will be mailed directly to winners in all divisions once race results become official.
Q: When is the next IMT Des Moines Marathon going to be held?
A: Sunday, October 16, 2011.
