May 19, 2024
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Des Moines Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Des Moines Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 4.1
Number of comments: 295 [displaying comments 251 to 261]
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Bird Man from Des Moines
(10/7/2003)
 "2002 and 2003 were great. See you in 2004!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my third marathon. Second was also in Des Moines. I'm glad to say this one's located where I live. Waterworks Park & Grays Lake are a perfect setting. Even the urban streets go through scenic areas. Nice town, nice route, nice people. | |
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A. B. from Kansas City, MO
(10/7/2003)
"Definitely worth running!!!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was marathon #5 for me. I was impressed with the organization of the event. They had the best pasta dinner with terrific speakers. The course was relatively flat in the beginning and end, but there were some hills to climb in the middle. I have run Tucson and Austin, both fast courses, but PR'ed on this one. This was the most shaded marathon course I have run on and since it got up into the 70's the shade was much appreciated. Course winds through downtown the first few miles before going through some nice neighborhoods. During the 2nd half of the course you mostly run on a bike path before winding your way back downtown. The aid stations were plentiful and the volunteers were enthusiastic. What impressed me most was the amount of spectators for a marathon of this size (approx. 1,000 participants), and quite a few of them were cheering loudly. Mile markers were easily seen except for mm #16. I also like the use of cell phones after the race to be able to let your spectator contingent know where you are - very nice touch. On the negative side the expo was small and the booth selling Des Moines marathon apparel ran out of hats and shirts by the end of the first day. Too bad since the shirt was, IMO, the best I had seen. I never did see a pacing booth as was told by countless e-mails from the race director there would be nor did I see any pacers out on the course. Also, the start is 8:05 and for people finishing in 3 plus hours, the weather got a little warm (70's). Maybe they can start it an hour earlier in the future?!? I will be back to run this one again. | |
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Gina Moore from Dallas, Texas
(10/6/2003)
 "Beautiful town, beautiful course!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This course is fast and beautiful! The spectator support is fantastic and the volunteers were the best! My first trip to Des Moines and I will return! Thank you all! Gina Moore - 50 States Marathon Club | |
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D. D. from Kansas City
(10/6/2003)
"This race helped me qualify for Boston" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The course was flat and fast. The aid stations were well staffed and plentiful. I qualified for Boston because this race is small enough that you can run your pace but has enough people that you don't feel alone out there. I will come back. | |
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Marathon Junkie from Clinton, MS
(10/6/2003)
"Perfect start to a very well planned race." (about: 2003)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The second annual D.M. thon was perfect. Starting temps near 48 and a slight downhill for the first mile gets you rolling quickly. Bikes for course support (with first aid included) should be followed by every other race director. Educated and entertaining water stops (great job Mediacom) were a sheer delight. City construction caused a slight change in the course and added a few turns. A phenomenal job on organization. This race caters to the marathoner looking for a varying course and great pre and post race events. | |
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Danny Swindle from Newport, Michigan
(10/6/2003)
"Holding back on a 5 star in case they get better" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Pros: Great course (although I thought Iowa was flat). I liked the way they split the half from the full to reduce the congestion early. Great organization for only being their second year. Deserves their good reviews. Enthusiastic finish line. Good refreshments and snacks. Alignments and massages were a good touch at the finish. Cons: Could have used more porto-lets at the start. | |
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Dave Lipinski from New Hartford, IA
(10/6/2003)
"Second year was even better!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Des Moines was my 16th marathon and certainly one of my favorites. The location of this downtown marathon is really great. Having packet pickup/EXPO right across the street from the host hotel was convenient and a beautiful setting. The course changes this year only enhanced the beauty. I have run Twin Cities twice and think this course is about as good when it comes to scenery. You get downtown, unique neighborhoods, trails, river views, lakes, skyline views, the awesome Capital and many other nice venues to check out as you run. The volunteers were as good as any marathon in the country, and better than some. Fluid stations were well stocked and the volunteers enthusiastic and helpful. The bongo players were fun and inspirational along the course. More music would be great as the 5 or 6 times they were on the course provided a boost. Especially needed at Gray's Lake and Water Works Park. The course is somewhat challenging before the half point, but a breeze after that minus one long incline coming back into downtown. Merchandise was top notch and very inexpensive. Need to order more of it next year as it will surely sell. The city has yet to embrace the event regarding spectators. Hopefully more people will be willing to come and cheer people on next year. The people who were along thecourse were great though. Des Moines has a top notch marathon anyone would love to run! | |
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A Runner from Des Moines, IA
(7/31/2003)
"Iowa's own classic!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The inaugural 2002 Des Moines Marathon was my 12th marathon, and this race will definitely be added to my annual race calendar. The course gently rolls through some of the most scenic & picturesque neighborhoods in the Midwest, and became an instant favorite of mine as soon as the race began. Normally I only run Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN, but now we have a fantastic race closer to home which I can participate in during the fall months. I cannot wait to jump back into this classic in October - a giant kudos to those who have made this beautiful Iowa course a reality for Midwest runners! | |
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T. L. from Badger, Iowa
(6/8/2003)
"Fun marathon for my first" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon, and I enjoyed it, although I didn't plan for the electrolyte imbalance that I suffered. Nothing major, but it might be good to have pretzels available at some of the aid stations, especially for us first-timers who often have to live and learn. I thought the Powerade they provided might have been watered down too much. Other than that, I thought it was a great run for the city of Des Moines and I'm glad they revived this tradition! | |
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A Runner from St. Paul, MN
(11/13/2002)
"My favorite marathon of the three I ran in 2002" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Awesome course lay out. The elevation characteristics are prime for a PR. The community put on a festive marathon. The timing method some are concerned about was not an issue for me and it sounds like it will be addressed in 2003. |
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