Races
Experience the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday, October 20, 2013. Register Now!
Click the one of the race divisions below to learn more about your race of interest:
Marathon Half Marathon Marathon Relay 5K Road Race
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.
Race Day
All races take place on Sunday, October 20, 2013.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon & Half Marathon and Bankers Trust Marathon Relay start at 8 a.m.
The Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race starts at 8:30 a.m.
All races start and finish on the Locust Street Bridge | 100 Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Race Day Road Closures Combined Course Map Race Day Information
Weather
October tends to be a fairly dry month in Iowa. Athletes are likely to experience a bit of a chill in the early morning air on race day. Average lows for Des Moines in October are in the lower 50's with highs in the upper 60's. Many athletes are already across the finish line line before the afternoon temperatures arrive. The IMT Des Moines Marathon relies on the weather team at ABC5 for up to the minute weather updates race weekend.
Old race shirts, a dingy sweatshirt, or a pair of gardening gloves are a great examples of ways to stay warm while waiting for the start of the race. Your body will begin to warm up after the first couple miles of the race and most athletes want to begin shedding layers. Volunteers from the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers will pick up any discarded clothing that is left behind along the course. Food that is leftover from the finish line festivities is also donated to this important nonprofit organization in our community.
Parking
There are a variety of parking options in downtown Des Moines. You do not have to put money in the parking meters on the street after 6:00 p.m. on Friday, or at any time on Saturday or Sunday.
We invite you to take advantage of parking at many of the downtown parking ramps on Saturday and Sunday. City of Des Moines parking ramps are located at 4th Street/Grand Avenue, 5th Street/George Watson Powell Parkway, 5th Street/Locust Avenue, and 7th Street/Locust Avenue.
Do not attempt to park in the 3rd Street/Court Avenue parking ramp on race morning.
Parking is also available at Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs, six blocks south of the Locust Street Bridge on 2nd Avenue.
Principal Park | One Line Drive | Des Moines, IA 50309
Please be respectful of No Parking signs in the downtown area, especially on race day. Chances are likely that the No Parking signs are posted on our behalf. Your vehicle will be towed.
Ride Share
Interested in ridesharing to the IMT Des Moines Marathon? Sign up here for an account and become members of a growing and dynamic community. It is free to join and PickupPals can track the number of rides they have given or taken, the number of km they have traveled via ride sharing and we can as an IMT Des Moines Marathon group keep track of the amount of emissions we have reduced as a result!"
Locker Rooms and Showers
The Riverfront YMCA opens their doors at 6:00 a.m. You will have access to the main gym for stretching. The Riverfront YMCA has also offered use of their locker rooms as a place for you to secure your valuables and take a post race shower. Please remember to bring your own lock, as they will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. The Riverfront YMCA is located two blocks east of the start/finish line at Nollen Plaza.
Riverfront YMCA | 101 Locust Street | Des Moines, IA 50309
Baggage Claim/Information
The Lint Companies Baggage Claim will be offered at the Simon Estes Amphitheatre. The IMT Des Moines Marathon strongly encourages you to use a clear "see through" plastic bag at baggage claim. You may want to use your bag from athlete packet pick up to store your personal items during the race.
Simply return with your race number/bib after the race to claim your belongings. A driver's license or ID may be requested. The IMT Des Moines Marathon is not responsible for any lost, stolen or unclaimed bags from the baggage claim. All bags left during the race are subject to search. Please contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon directly after the race if you discover you have forgotten your athlete bag.
Nondenominational Service
Stephen Taylor, Pastor of the Monroe United Methodist Church in Monroe, Iowa will lead a brief nondenominational service at 7:15 a.m. on the Principal Riverwalk in front of the YMCA. Anyone and everyone who would like to attend the nondenominational service is welcome.
Stretching
Gigi's Pilates Studio personal fitness instructors will lead a series of group warm up and stretching exercises before the start of the IMT Des Moines Marathon races from 7:15 to 7:45 a.m. and again from 8:00 to 8:15 a.m. Look for them at Simon Estes Amphitheatre and join in.
Contact Us
We want to hear from you. Every athlete has a story to tell. Share your story with us and we may post it on our website. Your story should be from 500 to 1,000 words in length. Be sure to include your name and where you are from. Be creative, descriptive and don't forget to create a title for your story. When you are done click here to submit to the IMT Des Moines Marathon to share with others!
Athletes Speak
Jack's Story - I'm one of many wheeler /hand cyclists who have "run" the course since 2003. I have won 3 out of those four years and was beaten by a good racer one of those years. Each year I'm greeted by cheers, supportive greetings, hoots, whistles etc for encouragement while giving out my own "keep up the good work" or nice job etc. I enjoy the camaraderie. I try to do several 5k-marathons each year to keep in shape and keep a competitive edge, no matter the finish. But I really race for a bigger picture than just for myself. I have 4 boys, 2 with disabilities. One races shorter races with me on a hand cycle. Click Here to read more.
My 26.2 - Brittany's Story
Brenda's Story - Brenda Schwartztrauber
Go Woman Heart!!! - Terry Harris
Prevention Magazine article - Family loses 191 lbs. walking half marathon
Rob Gillum plans to run state to state from Missouri to Minnesota.
   
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