Event Description

Start

The IMT Des Moines Marathon & Half Marathon and Bankers Trust Marathon Relay start at 8 am followed by the Principal 5K Road Race at 8:30 am on Sunday, October 20. Court Avenue District, 300 Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309. 

PARKING 

Street parking is free where you can find it (watch for temporary “no parking” signs). City ramps are located at 3rd/Court, 4th/Grand, 5th/George Watson Powell, 5th/Walnut, 5th/Locust, 7th/Locust and 8th/Mulberry. You can also park at Principal Park, just south of Court Avenue at 1 Line Drive.

RESTROOMS 

Located in a variety of locations around the start line area. A majority of the portable toilets are located on 4th Street, to north of Court Avenue.

SHAKE OUT 

Due to street closures athletes should consider warming up along 3rd Street to the south of Court Avenue.

WEAR YOUR BIB 

Athletes without a visible race number/bib centered on the front of their shirts will be removed from the course for security and safety. Complete the medical information fields on the back of your bib prior to the race if they aren’t filled in already.

NO WHEELS 

Bicycles, inline skates, roller skates, baby joggers, strollers, scooters, wheeled vehicles (except registered push-rim athletes or wheelchairs) and animals of any kind are not allowed on the IMT Des Moines Marathon course. If you are seen in violation, you will be removed from the course.

Course

TIME LIMIT 

The finish line is open for 7 hours in all race divisions. This allows for a 16:00 minute per mile pace in the Marathon. Athletes unable to maintain a 16:00 minute per mile pace will not be removed from the course. However, it is very important that you understand that volunteer services may not still be in place. Mercy Medical Center first aid stations and sag wagons along with the Bike Iowa Bike Support team will remain on the course until every athlete crosses the finish line.

LIVE TRACKING 

With IMT DMM LiveTracking your supporters can download the IMT DMM MYLAPS app to track your progress live during the event… and record cheer messages! With LiveTracking they can see real time where you are running. The IMT DMM is available for free through the iTunes and Google play stores.

RESTROOMS 

Portable toilets are located approximately every other mile on the course through Mile 20 and then every mile there after. Restrooms indicated on the course map are public restroom facilities.

AID STATIONS 

Hydration is offered approximately every other mile on the course through Mile 20 and then every mile there after. Crystal Clear Bottled Water (in cups) and Gatorade Endurance is served in cups. Some hydration stations may stock additional items such as Kleenex, petroleum jelly, gummy bears, orange slices, etc.

ENERGY GELS GU 

Energy gels will be offered at approximately Mile 14, Mile 20 and Mile 23 on the Marathon course and at Mile 7 and Mile 10 on the Half Marathon course. Athletes that consume energy gels while running should not rely solely on the energy gels offered on the course. They are offered on a first come, first served basis. GU Energy gels are offered in the following flavors: Strawberry Banana, Vanilla Bean, Tri-Berry and Chocolate Outrage.

FRESH FRUIT 

Hy-Vee Fruit Stands offer bananas and oranges along the course at the GU Energy gel station locations.

PACE TEAMS 

The Fleet Feet Des Moines Pace Team provides a pace runner and group experience for athletes who wish to finish the race in within a specified time. The page group is led by an experienced distance runner (i.e., Pace Team Leader) who acts as a moving coach throughout the race. 

Pacers from the Fleet Feet Des Moines Pace Team are provided for the IMT Des Moines Marathon from the 3:00 to 5:25 hour mark. The pace times offered are designed to mirror Boston Marathon qualifying times and include 3:00, 3:05, 3:10, 3:15, 3:25, 3:30, 3:35, 3:40, 3:45, 3:55, 4:00, 4:10, 4:25, 4:40, 4:55, 5:10 and 5:25. 

Pacers from the Fleet Feet Des Moines Pace Team are also provided for the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon from the 1:30 to 2:30 hour mark. Times include 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, and 2:30. 

ENTERTAINMENT 

The course is lined with incredibly talented musicians and performers to entertain athletes throughout the race. This year, more than twenty-five acts are scheduled to appear along the course and at the Samuel Adams DSM 26.2 Brew Block Party on Court Avenue following the race.

IF YOU CAN’T FINISH 

Stop at one of the Mercy Medical Center First Aid Stations along the course. If you are unable to make it to a First Aid Station stop at one of the hydration stations along the course. A Mercy Medical Center Sag Wagon will transport you to the Mercy Medical Center First Aid Station at the finish line.

FINISH

All of the IMT Des Moines Marathon races finish downtown right where they started on Court Avenue at 3rd Street.

CONGRATULATIONS! Do not stop at the finish line. Proceed through the finishing area and proceed to the Samuel Adams DSM 262. Brew Block Party. Join Us At The Finish Line!

PHOTOS 

MarathonFoto photographers will be on the course and at the start/finish line area.

RESULTS 

Visit the Xtream Results Tent at Samuel Adams DSM 26.2 Brew Block Party following the race to get a personalized printout that shows your finish time, split times and rank. with others.

On race day, results are posted in real-time as athletes cross the finish line. 

AWARDS 

Overall awards are offered to top male and female finishers in all race divisions. Age division awards are offered in the IMT Moines Marathon, IMT Des Moines Half Marathon and Principal 5K Road Race to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups: 14 & 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 & over. Personalized age division awards are mailed directly to the winners once race results become official and typically take 6 weeks to arrive.

RESTROOMS 

A majority of the portable toilets around the start & finish line area are located on 4th Street to the north and south of Court Avenue.

FOOD 

The IMT Des Moines Marathon prides itself on feeding athletes at the finish line. Post race food is intended for athletes who have competed on race day only. Highlights include, Hiland Dairy Foods, Qdoba Mexican Eats, Jethro’s BBQ and Fong’s Pizza. Don’t forget to stop by the Hy-Vee Athlete Village ‘grab and go’ as well.

26.2 BREW 

Bigger and better than before! Sample Samuel Adams DSM 26.2 Brew at the Samuel Adams DSM 26.2 Brew Block Party on Court Avenue. Athlete and spectator sales are available.

POST-RACE TREATMENT 

Des Moines University providers, including physical therapy, foot and ankle, and osteopathic manual medicine, will be available at the finish line to conduct screenings and offer care to help aid athletes’ recovery. Look for DMU at the Hy-Vee Athlete Village on 4th Street.

POST-RACE PARTY 

Celebrate with family, friends and other athletes at the official post-race party at Johnny’s Hall of Fame on Court Avenue featuring live entertainment, food and Samuel Adams DSM 26.2 Brew specials.