I now have a decent idea of well run marathons and those that aren't. This one is excellent. It's true that the hills at the beginning may slow down an attempt at a BQ or a personal best, but who wants a dull flat track marathon either? The neighborhoods were beautiful, spectators enthusiastic, and my pace team leader likely knocked 4-5 minutes off my time using walking breaks through water stops. (I was in the 4:00 pace club.) Porta-potties were plentiful enough. There was more and better food at the end than at any marathon I've ever run, and an excellent finisher's medal.

Glorious course (including the hills - it's nice to have challenges). Des Moines is a beautiful city. The volunteers, bands, and spectators are enthusiastic and take care of the slower runners to the end. Thank you, Des Moines!!

This was a very well organized marathon. There were plenty of spectators and aid stations and plentiful musical entertainment along the way. You start off with a jaunt through downtown from Noelen Plaza, pass by the capitol building and head back downtown. The course is primarily hilly between the third and eight mile markers, but nothing daunting - just some good, slow-burn hills. The remainder of the course was flat, with enough topography to keep it interesting. You even get to do a lap on the historic Drake University track. There was a mysterious individual calling, "WOO HOO!" that I heard from the three- to eight-mile stretch, and I began hearing him again at the 17-mile mark, but never actually saw him. It wasn't an hallucination because other runners heard him also. Part of the race mystique. Don't know how they could improve this one. Des Moines has plenty of charm and the course has enough challenge and variety for every runner: History, flats, hills, trails, rivers, bridges and lakes! Highly recommended!

1) The hills are long and fairly steep from miles 3 to 9. Be prepared!!!

2) The race shirts are at least two sizes too small. Order accordingly if they do not change name brand for next year.

3) Great medal and post-race refreshments.

4) Organization, water stops, expo, website, host hotel (Mariott), parking, fan support, volunteers and timing were all solid.

5) Not a PR course (due to the many hills), but it's very scenic.

Another state done. This marathon was just the right size for the course and the start and finish area.

While I dislike marathons that have a half alternative, thankfully the two courses parted ways before the third mile and did not merge till late in the race.

The organization was professional yet very friendly. In fact, I found every person I meet in Des Moines to be friendly, willing to help, and pleasant. I enjoyed the expo, pasta party, and post- and pre-race events. This was truly a well-run event.

The course is not flat. It is not an easy run. But it is fair. It shows the downtown area, nice neighborhoods, Drake University, and a nice park. It was an interesting course without being easy or too hard. My only complaint is that it doubled back on itself too much.

As for spectators, the community came out for the event and cheered you on. It is not Chicago, New York, or Boston, but you do not feel alone or ignored. The community comes out and cheers and supports the event.

In all, a very well run event and very much worth doing. Good job, Des Moines; I enjoyed my visit.

This was my first marathon, and I think Des Moines has set the bar very high. The race expo was outstanding, and the course was very nice, with a nice blend of an urban and scenic route. The volunteers were all great, with very frequent water and Gatorade stops, and enthusiastic spectators. Overall, this was an outstanding experience, and the medal was first-class all the way. Bravo to Des Moines; this was a wonderful first marathon!!!

The course was very scenic, but the first half of the race had many more challenging hills than I expected. The course takes you though a mix of beautiful residential neighborhoods, trials and the city. Des Moines is a great city, and the fans and volunteers were over the top. I would recommend it even if it is hilly. I hope race directors change the lineup of races at the start. It's too congested with the half-marathoners starting at the same time. The post-race food and meeting area were great, even for late finishers.

Although I don't have any other marathon to compare it to, all of my research was right on. A few of the hills were longer than I expected, and although I cramped up over the last 3 miles, it was a positive first experience.

Des Moines has everything needed for a terrific marathon - great course, super organization, and enough entrants to provide company without making things crowded. Fan support was great, considering the size of the town - no screaming hordes like the huge races, but that's not important to me.

Des Moines is small enough that it's easy to get around, and logistically this was one of the easier races I've done. The entry fee is modest, but the shirt and other goodies are better than at most races costing lots more.

All in all, it was a great weekend and I plan to do it again.

This was my first half-marathon, and overall a very good experience. I walked most of the course and trained very hard to even be able to walk this distance. This was a fantastic accomplishment for me, since I severely damaged my right ankle several years ago and had to learn how to walk all over again. (I was told I would never be able to run again.) I did find it very frustrating to be repeatedly shouted at to "get over" when I was already walking on the edge of the walkway, as if my participation was of less importance than someone else's. This race has been touted as "walker friendly," but I think some work needs to be done to make this a reality. I will do this race again and hope to run it next time. I do hope the volunteers will be instructed to show as much courtesy to the walkers as they do the runners. Even though I walked, this was a very important race to me.