Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do finishers in IMT Des Moines Marathon races receive a shirt and a medal?
A: Yes, a race shirt will be given to registered participants of all races at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo.
A long sleeve, moisture wicking shirt is offered for the IMT Des Moines Marathon and Half Marathon and Saturn 5-Person Marathon Relay Challenge races.
A long sleeve, cotton shirt is offered for the Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race.
Medals are presented at the finish line in the IMT Des Moines Marathon and Half Marathon and Saturn 5-Person Marathon Relay Challenge.
Overall Awards and Age Division Awards will be presented at the Fitness Sports Awards Ceremony in the IMT Des Moines Marathon and Half Marathon, Saturn 5-Person Relay Challenge and Principal Financial Group 5K Road Race.
Prizes will be given out to random finishers at the finish line area and Michelob ULTRA Run To The Finish festivities tent at Nollen Plaza.
Q: What is the course elevation?
A: The IMT Des Moines Marathon does pose hills from miles 3 though 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.
IMT Des Moines Marathon - RRCA Course Map (interactive elevation levels at mile marks)
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: 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.
Prevention Magazine has named the IMT Des Moines Marathon as one of their most walker-friendly races in 2008!
Find out how you can become a part of the Team Prevention walking team at this year's race. The IMT Des Moines Marathon races are first-timer and walker-friendly!
Q: I would like to start early, can I?
A: The Prevention Early Start presented by Prevention Magazine will start at 7:00 a.m. for marathon walkers. You must be registered in the IMT Des Moines Marathon - Walker division to take advantage of the early start time. This will provide 8 hours of closed course protection.
Otherwise, the IMT Des Moines 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 IMT Des Moines Marathon - Half Marathon or begin training so that you may participate in next year's race.
The early start time is NOT available to half marathon participants who plan to walk the course.
Don't forget to specify your registration for the early start if you plan to register as a marathon walker. All of the IMT Des Moines Marathon races are first-timer and walker-friendly!
Q. I already registered to walk the IMT Des Moines Marathon or Half Marathon, but I want to join Team Prevention. What can I do?
A. If you’ve already registered, you can still sign up for Team Prevention at. Select “Already Registered or Training For a Race On Your Own” and click “Continue.” In addition to receiving your official Team Prevention shirt, you’ll be signed up to receive Prevention’s newsletters and training information.
If you haven’t yet registered and want to walk it with Team Prevention, please go to www.prevention.com/walking. Under “Prevention Races 2007-2008,” click on “Des Moines.” On the next page, scroll down to “Walk Des Moines” and then click “Register: Oct. 19, 2008” and follow the directions on active.com.
Q: Is race day registration available?
A: You may register for all races at the Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo, but registration is not offered on race day.
active.com online registration
Verify your IMT Des Moines Marathon 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 two host hotels associated with the IMT Des Moines Marathon. The Renaissance Savery Hotel and Marriott Downtown 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 Locust Street
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: A Pasta Dinner is offered in conjunction with the Mizuno Speaker Series as a part of the Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18.
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.
Currently, more than 100 porta potties are scheduled to be placed along the courses and 50 porta potties to be placed at Nollen Plaza. You will not have to pass more than two miles to find a place for relief, should you feel the need.
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 USTAF sanctioned race and does adhere to the Rules of Competition as laid out by USATF. However, 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).
You will not be disqualified or removed from the IMT Des Moines Marathon course for using a personal music device on race day. 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.
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 - www.thefinalsprint.com - November 29, 2007
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.
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 age division awards?
A: Yes, IMT Des Moines Marathon age division awards will be given in the IMT Des Moines Marathon, Half Marathon and Principal Financial Group 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 (age group awards as applicable).
Age division awards will be presented at the Fitness Sports Awards Ceremony at Nollen Plaza. Unclaimed age division awards should be claimed by age division winners if they are not present for the Awards Ceremony.
Q: When is the next IMT Des Moines Marathon going to be held?
A: Sunday, October 18, 2009.
