Elite Athletes

Athletes who wish to receive Elite Athlete status for competition in the IMT Des Moines Marathon are selected based on the following criteria: a) meet elite athlete time standards established by the IMT Des Moines Marathon b) complete elite athlete application paperwork and c) review and approval by the IMT Des Moines Marathon Elite Athlete Committee.

Elite athlete applicants are required to list both their career personal records and past twenty-four months running accomplishments, along with supporting documentation that they can qualify to run within the elite time standards established by the IMT Des Moines Marathon.  

Athletes who are interested in being considered for Elite Athlete status should contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon office to discuss appearance opportunities for the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Road Race.

Elite Athlete Application - Marathon

Elite Athlete Application - Half Marathon

IMT Des Moines Marathon - Entry Form

Internal Revenue Service - W-9 Form

Elite Athlete Information

Course Records

Prize Money

Marathon Pace Chart Based on IMT Des Moines Marathon Course Record

Frequently Asked Questions

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Rules of Competition

Pacers
The IMT Des Moines Marathon does provide police escort for the lead runners in the Marathon and Half Marathon.  Course marshals and members of the Bike Iowa support team will also be at various points along the race to assist in keeping athletes on course.  Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the athlete to know the course of the race they are participating in.

Elite athletes with waived race entry are NOT permitted to utilize private pacers who have not registered for the race.  Any athlete on the course, who is being paced by another person on foot or on bicycle who is NOT registered, will result in disqualification. 

For more information visit Frequently Asked Questions.

Headphones
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).  Elite athletes or athletes who wish to compete for overall awards ARE NOT allowed to wear headphones at any time during the competition. 

For a more detailed explanation visit Frequently Asked Questions.

Awards Ceremony
Overall prize money and awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in the IMT Des Moines Marathon and Half Marathon.  Team cash prizes will be given to winners of various divisions of the Marathon Relay.  First, second and third place prize money will be given to the male and female winner of the 5K Road Race.

Prize money is offered to the top male and female finisher from Iowa in the Marathon and Half Marathon.

A trophy is offered to the top male and female finisher who can break the course record in the Marathon.

The IMT Des Moines Marathon does not offer duplicate awards between overall and prize money and awards and age division awards.  The athlete with the fastest time will win the award and/or the larger prize money purse, which in most cases will be the overall award category. 

The second fastest athlete to finish the race within the age division of the overall winner will claim the first place age division award.  The third fastest athlete will claim the second place age division award and the fourth fastest will claim third place. 

Age division awards in the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Road Race 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 to 74, 75 to 79 and 80 and over.

An awards ceremony will take place at Nollen Plaza at 12:30 p.m.  Overall and age division awards will be mailed out once race results are official and at least two weeks following the race.   

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Travel Expense

Eligibility
Travel expense funds and compensated hotel rooms are limited and based on the discretion of the IMT Des Moines Marathon. Athletes must be registered for the Marathon or Half Marathon by September 20, 2010 to qualify for travel expense money. Eligibility is based on Marathon or Half Marathon performances within the past 2 years and returning winners of the IMT Des Moines Marathon. All requests for travel money must be approved prior to the race.

Athletes will receive travel money following race based on their overall finish.  Athletes requesting travel money prior to the race will be awarded travel money best on their performance.  The better an athlete performs, the more travel money they will receive.  Travel money reimbursements will be mailed no later than two weeks following the race.
 
Marathon
The maximum travel expense money reimbursed to a marathon runner is $300. Travel expenses are only reimbursed to those athletes who have completed the full Marathon and placed within the top 10 overall men/women or the top 3 marathon masters men/women.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed to athletes once the IMT Des Moines Marathon receives original receipts for travel (bus, train, air, taxi receipts). Payment will be made after the competition. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed to athletes who fail to complete their event.

Half Marathon
The maximum travel expense money to be reimbursed to a Half Marathon runner is $100. Travel expenses are only reimbursed to those athletes who have completed the Half Marathon and placed within the top 5 overall men/women.

Travel expenses will be reimbursed to athletes once the IMT Des Moines Marathon receives original receipts for travel (bus, train, air, taxi receipts). Payment will be made after the competition. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed to athletes who fail to complete their event.