Marathon
Experience the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Register Online NOW!
The IMT Des Moines Marathon is first-timer and walker-friendly! Visit the Training page to learn more about local and national resources designed to assist you in your personal training.
Registration
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 October 17 and 18, 2008.
Polk County Convention Complex
501 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
IMT Des Moines Marathon Registration Fees
Verify your IMT Des Moines Marathon registration.
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.
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!"
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.
Have a comment or question? Contact Us if you are not finding the specific race information that you are looking for. The following links may be of assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips For First Timers
Race Day Information
Course
IMT Des Moines Marathon
USATF Certification - IA07009-MF USATF Sanction - 0740027
Course Map (may take a moment to load)
Course Description
Combined Course Map (may take a moment to load)
USATF Course Certification Map
RRCA Course Elevation Map
Please note that the Mapmyrun.com map is for website enhancement purposes only. The 26.54 mile distance is not an accurate measurement of the IMT Des Moines Marathon course.
Course Highlights
Presentations will be offered at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo. Visit the Mizuno Speaker Series page for times and details.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon course 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 3 miles of the race highlight the East Village and Court Avenue districts of downtown Des Moines.
A steady 100 foot elevation rise will present itself from mile 3 through 4 along Grand Avenue. Elevation rises and declines in the course over the next 4 miles can present challenges to the marathon athlete. Previous participants have referred to this section of the course as having more than 'rolling hills'. We encourage you to incorporate some sort of hills training, at least once a week, into your marathon training program.
The Marathon course flattens out at mile 8 and offers a loop around the historic track at Drake University, home of the 2008 NCAA Track and Field Championships. The race spends 2 miles on the Drake campus before returning back towards the Des Moines Art Center.
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 scenic 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 a one mile stretch along Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway before the along 3rd Street to Nollen Plaza.
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 you may face disqualification from the race.
Pacers from the Van Meter Industrial Pace Team are provided for the Marathon from the 3:00 hour to 5:30 hour mark. IMT Des Moines Marathon pace times mirror Boston Marathon qualifying times.
Van Meter Industrial - Marathon Pace Team Bios
Van Meter Industrial Pace Team - Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us for more information on the Van Meter Industrial Pace Team or to volunteer as a pacer.
Awards
Age division awards in the IMT Des Moines Marathon will be given 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).
Age division awards will be presented at the Fitness Sports Awards Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Unclaimed awards will be mailed out following the race.
Course Records Prize Money Runner Rankings Running USA offers a website designed to help you record your results and compare your performances with runners from all over the nation. By logging in and claiming your completed races, you can start tracking your results and begin obtaining points today!
