The Race Director and the countless volunteers of the Des Moines Marathon deserve tremendous credit. The marathon and half-marathon were wonderful events. The course was well staffed and supported, the crowd was energetic, the entertainment was lively, and the extras (great shirts, excellent medals, ample finish line food) were all perfect. I enjoy this event more each year. Great job!

I'll start by saying this was my first marathon and that I am from Des Moines and so I am partial. The organization was fabulous. I liked the start and the finish just fine and they seem to have made some changes that would answer to 2007 comments. I'd just say that coming off Foster Drive and going across 42nd Street was confusing, and a number of people went north on 42nd for a couple steps before they realized they had to jog south to get on Tonawanda. Also in Waterworks Park when the participants back tracked after the loop and headed toward Gray's Lake - at that point the volunteer wasn't making gestures to let us know and as you are tired, it was a little confusing (for a second). The hills south of Grand on the route are not as steep as compared to the hills in the eastern and southern section of that neighborhood, which is where I train. Waterworks Park is mentally challenging - I'm proud of myself for getting through such a challenge for my first marathon. Adding Drake was great! The spectators in Waterworks Park were more hard-core/devoted than on Kingman/Polk and I appreciated them much more. Ditto for the ones toward the end of the race. I would ask that the porta-potties not be placed so close to the timing mats as I had a friend who almost missed the mat because she used the facilities! The volunteers were incredible and consistently cheering everyone on. I loved having runners, walkers, pace teams and relays. I liked seeing everyone. Course support was everywhere, which was comforting although I never needed them. I'm glad I had such a good experience - I'm sore, but I'm hooked!

This was just my second marathon. I came into it being very confident, and hoping for a good time. However, for any inexperienced marathoners out there, take note: BE PREPARED FOR THE HILLS! Many people say that the hills between miles 3 and 9 are not too bad. But they do take their toll on you, and you will likely feel it towards the last 10 miles or so. I was doing great until mile 17 and was devastated by cramps. So work in a lot of hill training when preparing for this.

Other than that, the overall experience was great! The city was nice, spectators were wonderful and the course was very scenic. The support crew, those on bikes and at medical and aid stations were fantastic! Overall, a great race to run!

The race organizers did a great job of choosing the route for this marathon. It certainly shows off the best of what Des Moines has to offer in terms of scenery. The first half was challenging because of the hills. The course takes runners around the blue track at Drake University, which is a real treat at mile 12. The race was well-organized and, in my opinion, there was plenty of fan support (but I don't necessarily look for that). In my opinion, the only downer was that we were all crammed to close together at the start. Many people, including me, couldn't even get to our proper starting places because it was impossible to move. Overall, great race. Stayed at the Marriott - the starting line was walkable by Sky Walk.

For the most part, this course is interesting and beautiful, with lots of shady areas, a fair number of "hills" (nothing too extreme, but be prepared for some rolling areas in the first half), and good support from volunteers and spectators. Especially appreciated were the ample numbers of porta-potties along the course and the volunteers on bikes, who offered up tissues for those of us with perpetually runny noses and generally kept an eye on us. The course goes through a few park areas with lakes and even includes some speed-work opportunities on the local university's track. The baggage storage area needed better signage, but other than that, no complaints. The 2008 race featured nearly perfect weather conditions, with sun, mild temperatures, and a nice breeze throughout.

I'm going to echo the many positive comments posted regarding this event from years past:
- excellent overall race organization
- plentiful aid stations on the course that were well stocked and well manned AND thoughtfully placed along the course
- an engaging race course with a nice mix of hills and flats - if you like running tree-lined avenues and park paths, this is the race for you (beautiful)
- a large number of bike-mounted race support crew that were highly visible over the entire course
- the people of Des Moines obviously take pride in and support this race. Numbers weren't overwhelming but there were people cheering all along the race course. AND the number of local musicians providing entertainment along the course was outstanding - there were guitarists, drummers and even a harp player. The large group of young percussionists around mile 21 were excellent and much appreciated!
- nice, technical, long-sleeved race shirt and large amount of schwag in the goody bags
- tons of food at the finish

The only criticism that I can come up with (and it is minor) is that the order of Gatorade vs. water at the aid stations was not consistent.

Overall, an excellent race. And the hills... they aren't that bad!

The Des Moines Marathon is an enjoyable, smaller, Midwest marathon. If you want to run a good race without the masses of people, Des Moines is a good choice.

Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for putting on a nice race.

Pluses:
1) Hotels and restaurants around the start area are plentiful and quaint. Downtown DM is easy to get into and out of.
2) Course support is good. Water and aid stations were well staffed.
3) Scenery is generally good.
4) Expo and post-race event was good. There were TONS of massage therapists afterward, probably the most I've ever seen.
5) Nice tech shirt.
6) Running a lap on the track at Drake University was a real treat.

Things I wish they would change:
1) Start was too crowded. Pace groups were way too close to each other. Spread them out a bit and make the start less of a traffic jam.
2) Somehow get rid of the desolate miles in Waterworks Park at miles 18-22. This is a deserted area with very little crowd support. The absolute worst miles coming at the absolute worst time.

Two thumbs up to the organizers - everything was top-notch except the line at the bag check-in (5 minutes - not the end of the world). Packet pickup was awesome - no line, very spread out, decent expo. Course was nice, nice neighborhoods, the run around the Drake track was cool (except I thought we were supposed to have our pictures on the big screen? no biggie) and the trail through the park at mile 17 or so was really nice. Well done race. They could have more spectators, but the ones that were there were very energetic. Recommended race if you are nearby or want to knock Iowa off of your list.

I ran the half at DM this year. Overall, I had a good experience - the course for the half is pretty flat and scenic. I liked the large loops around Water Works Park (and other park I forget the name of). Aid stations were plentiful and the fans along the course were great. Unfortunately it was hotter than expected, in the 70s, so I wasn't able to hit my goal time. I was also really frustrated with the pace teams - I joined a pace group because I really wanted to stay controlled during the first 6-7 miles (I usually go out too fast), but my pacer was horrible! He went too fast for the first three miles, then ran the fourth mile way slower to make up time, and then went even faster on the 5th. After that, I decided to fall back and get into my own pace; unfortunately I never recovered from the fast miles early on. Then, around mile 11 I actually PASSED him and he was walking! He finished about 6-8 minutes slower than the group he was supposed to be leading! My advice to Van Meter: make sure your pacers are well experienced and are capable of leading a group! Runners are counting on them!

First the negatives (because they are small):
1. The hills (3-8) were steep, and while the route is more scenic south of Grand, it definitely wears on your legs.
2. The lack of fans south of Greenwood Park. This is a pretty lonely part of the course. It is definitely pretty and adds to the beauty of the course, but it would be great for highly motivated cheering section/water station to be stationed.

The positives (which far outweigh any of the above):
1. Race organizers - The course services and organization rival any of the bigger races. They went above and beyond this year in response to the heavy rain and part of the course being underwater days before the race. This is definitely a professionally-managed race.
2. The fans - The fans were definitely out this year in downtown DM, South of Grand, and on Kingman Blvd. They help motivate me keep running through my injuries.
3. Scenic course with a variety of interesting neighborhoods
4. Running around Drake Stadium
5. Course support (they were out in full force and very attentive to runners in trouble)
6. Finally, they dropped the loop to nowhere (back loop of Waterworks), which shows they are in tune with runners' desires.

This was the ideal first marathon for me, and I can't recommend it highly enough to others. This is a great Midwest marathon.