Marathon
Experience the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday, October 18, 2009. Register NOW!
Prevention Magazine's WalkIt! program named the IMT Des Moines Marathon one of the most walker-friendly marathons in the United States 2007 and 2008. Walk with us in 2009!
Verify your IMT Des Moines Marathon registration.
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Course
Resources
IMT Des Moines Marathon Course Description
Official IMT Des Moines Marathon Course Map (may take a moment to download)
IMT Des Moines Marathon Combined Courses Map (may take a moment to download)
IMT Des Moines Marathon RRCA Course Map (features elevation level at each mile mark)
IMT Des Moines Marathon USATF Course Certification Map
USATF Certification - IA07009-MF USATF Sanction - 0740027
Highlights
The IMT Des Moines Marathon showcases a rejuvenated downtown, quaint neighborhoods and lush city parks. The route features a start line at Nollen Plaza with a view of the Iowa Capitol. The first few miles will keep runners and walkers in a pack through the East Village, Court Avenue and Western Gateway districts of downtown Des Moines. It may be difficult to establish a race pace in the early miles of the race.
The Marathon splits from the Half Marathon course just before Mile 3 at Grand Avenue and Fleur Drive and will continue west along Grand Avenue.
A steady 100 foot elevation rise presents itself between miles 3 and 4. Elevation rises and declines over the next 4 miles can and will challenge you in this portion of the race. Athletes have previously referred to this section of the course as having more than 'rolling hills' and 'the early hills taxing them at later miles in the race'.
Do not let what you think you know about Des Moines fool you. We encourage you to incorporate some sort of hills training, at least once a week, into your marathon training program for this race.
The Marathon does flatten out at Mile 8 and for the remainder of the race. Spectators will cheer you on through the North Ingersoll and Drake Neighborhood Associations. A true highlight for many athletes is a loop around the historic track at Drake University.
After completing twelve miles through scenic neighborhood districts, the race offers twelve miles on paved park trails in Greenwood Park, Water Works Park and Gray's Lake Park. The autumn colors and wooded backdrops allow you to really find yourself mentally and physically in this portion of the race. Previous participants have referred to this section of the course as the true test of the marathon.
Once a loop around Gray's Lake is complete, the Marathon returns to the downtown area for the final stretch along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway before turning on 3rd Street to finish at Nollen Plaza.
   
Marathon Mile 4 Marathon Mile 5 Marathon Mile 6 Marathon Mile 7
Elevation 937 feet Elevation 928 feet Elevation 880 feet Elevation 879 feet
   
Marathon Mile 8 Marathon Mile 9 Marathon Mile 10 Marathon Mile 11
Elevation 953 feet Elevation 969 feet Elevation 961 feet Elevation 957 feet
   
Marthon Mile12 Marathon Mile 13 Marathon Mile 14 Marathon Mile 15
Elevation 913 feet Elevation 960 feet Eleveation 962 feet Elevation 942 feet
   
Marathon Mile 16 Marathon Mile 17 Marathon Mile 18 Marathon Mile 19
Elevation 904 feet Elevation 810 feet Elevation 798 feet Elevation 792 feet
   
Marathon Mile 20 Marathon Mile 21 Marathon Mile 22 Marathon Mile 23
Elevation 800 feet Elevation 791 feet Elevation 786 feet Elevation 795 feet
Marathon Mile 24
Elevation 779 feet
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips For First Timers
Race Day Information
Pace Teams
Any athlete who wishes to use their own pacer must have the pacer register for the race. If a personal pacer does not have a race number/bib or a Sportag™ timing device, they will be removed from the course by race officials and the registered athlete may face disqualification from the race.
Pacers from the Van Meter Industrial Pace Team are provided for the Marathon from the 3:00 to 5:30 hour mark. IMT Des Moines Marathon pace times mirror Boston Marathon qualifying times.
Van Meter Industrial - Marathon Pace Team Bios (2008 information)
Van Meter Industrial Pace Team - Frequently Asked Questions
Eric Hollander shares his perspective pacing the 3:20 Marathon group in 2008
IMT Des Moines Marathon - Marathon Pace Chart Based on 2008 Average Finish Time
IMT Des Moines Marathon - Marathon Pace Chart Based on 7 Hour Course Limit
Contact Us for more information on the Van Meter Industrial Pace Team or to volunteer as a pacer.
Awards
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.
A cash prize is offered to the top male and female finisher from Iowa in the Marathon.
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 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, 70-74, 75-79 and 80 and over.
Overall awards will be presented 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 out after race results are official and at least two to four weeks following the race.
Course Records
Prize Money
Elite Athlete Information
Race Weekend
Sports & Fitness Expo
You may Register for any of the IMT Des Moines Marathon races at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo on Friday from 3 - 8 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hy-Vee Hall
730 3rd Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Please note that athlete registration and/or athlete packet pick up is NOT offered on race day.
Packet Pick Up
Athlete packet pick up will also take place at the Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo. Your athlete packet includes your race number/bib, last minute race updates, sponsor product samples & information and your IPICO timing device (Sportag™).
You are requested to pick up your OWN athlete packet to complete your registration process. You will also need to verify the information stored in your personal IPICO Sportag™. The End Result will activate your Sportag™ to complete the registration process.
Once your registration is complete, you will be able to pick up your race shirt and souvenir guide. Please take time to relax before the big race on Sunday by enjoying the festivities and entertainment at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo.
Parking
There are a variety of free 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 free 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 Nollen Plaza.
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!"
   
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