Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink that contains approximately twice the amount of sodium (200 mg per 8 ounces) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher, along with chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium to help sustain hydration by more fully replacing what is lost in sweat.  Gatorade Endurance Formula also contains a 6% carbohydrate solution (14 grams per 8 ounces), just like Gatorade Thirst Quencher, which research shows is optimal to help speed fluid back into the body and fuel working muscles.

Aid stations have been organized to set up Crstal Clear Bottled Water tables before Gatorade Endurance Formula tables and then followed again with Crystal Clear Bottled Water tables as athletes pass each aid station.  Some aid stations may stock additional items such as Kleenex, petroleum jelly, gummy bears, orange slices, etc.

Gu Energy Gel will be offered at Mile 14 on the Marathon course and Mile 20/Mile 7 on the Marahton/Half Marathon course.  Athletes that consume energy gels while running should not rely solely on the GU Energy Gels offered on the course by the IMT Des Moines Marathon.  They are offered on a first come first served basis.  GU Energy Gels that will offered are Just Plain, Tri Berry, Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Outrage.

Many of the aid stations are run by employees of race sponsors, high school students and nonprofit organizations.  Aid stations are encouraged to create fun themes and to celebrate race day.  Please be sure to thank them for spending a Sunday morning helping you run your best race. 

If you are interested in hosting an aid station contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon office.

IMT Des Moines Marathon - Combined Course Map

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Aid Stations

Marathon/Half Marathon

Start, Finish
IMT Insurance

Mile 3
Meredith Corporation

Mile 4
Des Moines University

Mile 6
Faith Lutheran Church

Mile 8
Des Moines Tri Club
Dallas Center Grimes HS Cross Country

Mile 9
North Ingersoll Neighborhood Association

Mile 11
Capital Striders

Mile 12
Drake University

Mile 14
Dam to Dam

Mile 16
Alliance Technologies

Mile 17
Irish Farms Stables
Climb Iowa

Mile 18/Mile 5
Mediacom Communications
 
Mile 20/Mile 7
Coconut Castaways

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First Aid Stations

If you need medical assistance on the course, try to make it to the nearest Aid Station or Mercy Medical Center First Aid Station.  If this is not possible, please stop where you are and a course marshal or member of the Bike Iowa support team will come to you.  If necessary, they will alert Mercy Medical Center volunteer sag wagons who will transport you back to Nollen Plaza.

If you have any medical concerns you are welcome to contact the IMT Des Moines Marathon office.  You will have an opportunity to place emergency medical information on the back of your personalized race number/bib that you will receive at the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo.

Mercy Medical Center First Aid Stations
Start, Finish - Nollen Plaza

Mile 12 - Drake University

Mile 20/7 - Water Works Park

Mile 23/10 - Gray's Lake Park

Mile 25/23 - Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway

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Weather

October tends to be a fairly dry month in Iowa.  You will likely experience a bit of a chill to the early morning air on race day.  Average lows are in the lower 50's and highs in the upper 60's. We rely on the weather team at ABC 5 for up to the minute weather updates when making our final contingency plans for race weekend.  

Old race shirts, a sweatshirt or a pair of gloves are a great examples of ways to stay warm while awaiting the start of the race.  Your body will begin to warm up after the first couple miles of the race and you will want to shed layers.  Volunteers from the Iowa Homeless Youth Center will pick up any discarded clothing that you leave behind.  We also donate all of the food that is leftover from the finish line festivities to this important nonprofit organization in our community.

Weather Flag System 
The IMT Des Moines Marathon has adopted the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index as a method to measure the impact the total environment has on our athletes. Race officials will be using flags of specific colors to communicate the current weather conditions on race day and during the race. The specific flag will be displayed at Mercy Medical Center First Aid Stations located at Nollen Plaza, Drake University, Water Works Park and Gray’s Lake Park.