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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 261 to 271]
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A Runner from Rural Iowa 90 miles from Des Moines
(10/29/2002)
 "A great Inaugural race, wonderful course" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my first marathon at age 46. I thought I wanted to support my home state, and I thought I would not have a closer event to run in. There should have been an American Flag at the start of the race for the national anthem, and I thought the crowds were sparse on the Waterworks park and Grays lake section. I thought the aid stations were well placed and for a first time event the crowds were OK. I too echo the great Urbandale CC team station, they provided a big lift at a weary part of the race. Snacks at the end of the race were good and I finished towards the end (a little more than 5 hours). I was disappointed in the time it took to post the results on the website and also the lack of an age group breakdown and no 1/2 way point time, and I too would like to see a 'town crier team' at the mile markers helping to note the mile markers and split times. The DAM to DAM run does this well and perhaps the marathon can add this next year. OVERALL this first timer rates this experience as a solid 'A'. | |
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Steve from Long Island, New York
(10/14/2002)
"Great Event For an Inaugural Marathon" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This scenic, tranquil route in the Heartland with 1,000+ runners was a pleasure to run. Plenty of room on the course but there were always runners nearby and never felt alone. The course had more hills than anticipated but by no means were they overbearing. Ran a personal best despite them. The race organization from the expo to the volunteers was excellent...especially for a first time marathon. Staff members were very cordial. The electronic chip was not ready at check-in (I was not alone) but that was rectified very quickly. Other than nominal growing pains, an outstanding race and should only get better with experience. The crowds were small but strategically interspersed throughout the course and vocal. The split-start for marathon and 1/2 marathoners was wonderful. A great race. | |
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A Runner from Davenport, IA
(10/13/2002)
 "Wonderful course - not boring..." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my third marathon and my best time. I worked hard to get to this point and was delighted with how the course was laid out which helped my goals. It has some challenges in the first half and not boring with a good flat course on the second half, when you need it, and with a slight downhill to the finish line. It was a fun race as I did qualify for Boston on this course. There was plenty of water stops and the spectators great in certain spots. For an inaugural race I really enjoyed this race and recommend it to anyone. The t-shirt design was better than most but again on a white shirt and short sleeves. Not having the results up sooner was a downer, and I hope they will become offical. Overall I was delighted to run this marathon in the state I grew up in and hope it will suceed for years to come. I don't know how many marathons I have in me but I will be back to at least run the 1/2 marathon. Try this one in Iowa and you will come back. I want to add my THANKS TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS, without you we could not have this race to run. THANKS FELLOW IOWAS FOR THIS RACE. Bob - 49 from Iowa | |
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A Runner from Iowa, USA
(10/11/2002)
"Beautiful course, some hills, terrific specators." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Course was mostly very scenic, as good as TCM. Spectators & volunteers provided exceptional support. Some rather steep downhills (tough on quads). Uphills mostly gradual. Very nice t-shirt & finisher metal. Gu was great, power-aide seemed watered down too much. Ran near PR time at age 46, qualified easily for Boston. Would like to see age group results posted. | |
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A Runner from St. Louis
(10/10/2002)
 "first time, urban marathon, pretty good" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 A nice urban marathon: some hills, but no problem if accustomed to running on hills; lots of pleasant park running. Spectators pretty good for a small urban marathon, and they were enthusiastic. COMPLAINTS: no age group awards; drab T-shirt that said simply 'Des Moines Marathon'; scattered porta-potties; few mileage markers; the timing chip was used, but we had to verify it at the crowded start line rather than at the small expo. | |
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A Runner from Algona, Iowa
(10/9/2002)
"Very fun event" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my 4th marathon, I ran Grandmas in Duluth 3 times a few years ago, and I thought overall this was a really well done event. I enjoyed running through the various neighborhoods as well as downtown. The route was gently rolling with only one major hill. The part of the route I did not like was running through Water Works Park & Gray?s Lake area near the end of the race because fan access was limited when you need it most. Maybe next year they could rearrange the course a little. The course was marked well and easy to follow and an easy run for a marathon! A couple of minor complaints are as follows. I did not see any timers along the course. At Grandma?s there were clocks or people giving times periodically. I was also disappointed in the T-shirts in that they did not say ?Finisher? on them to distinguish them from ones fans just purchased. The fans were very good, but sort of sparse in some areas. That should improve with exposure though. For the most part the law enforcement staff did a great job, but I too experienced being stopped to allow cars to pass. This did not affect my time but I think it might be better to close a few more downtown streets. Overall I thought it was a great job, not quite as classy as Grandma?s but a really good start. I plan to be back in 2003. | |
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A Runner from Iowa
(10/9/2002)
 "Inspiration, perspiration and powerade..." (General Comments)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 God Bless every hand that held out a powerade, or stopped a car, or clapped for us. Thanks to Helen Kline who inspired us, my dear ones who cheered for us and the dancing boys on picnic tables who made us laugh at mile 20. Congratulations Helene, Laura and all the rest of the organizers and volunteers. You are insane. You did such a great job, we'll be back...along with the guy in sandals, the barefoot guy, the guy in the kilt, the guy dressed as a cow... | |
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A Runner from cincinnati ohio
(10/9/2002)
"awesome course" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 This was my 102nd marathon and I must say the most beautiful city course I have run. The only problems I had with the course was at points the course seemed really narrow at grand hill and around mile 12. Tree lined streets, the capitol, the home of the drake relays, the woods, parks lakes. to be running all but 2 of the last 8-9 miles through parks was awesome. When out of town I try to volunteer at the expo-got to meet alot of the comittee-they were awesome. I know they were a little overwhelmed by the numbers that entered-more than they expected-so this caused some last minute logistical problems. The bikes along the course checking on people was great. They do need some clock or timers at the mile markers. The course was hillier than expected for iowa. Not sure what happened to the people after 12:30-i finished at 11:30 then proceeded to watch the race from about 25 3/4 marker till one-I know the volunteers at that corner and the water stop was still there. I did hear from one of the bikers later that eve that somehow they had missed judged who was the last person. That may be why the stops were shut down-becuase they already had thought the last person had passed mistakenly. This is a race to put on your 2003 marathon schedule-50 staters you'll love this one. | |
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A Runner from Plattsmouth, NE
(10/9/2002)
"Great Debut, Des Moines" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This was my 4th marathon and it was by far the most beautiful. I enjoyed the tour of the city and going off road to the bike trail and around Gray's Lake. Don't change the course. Since I was at the end of the pack, I noticed the water and aid stations were all closed by noon. Also, someone took down the mile markers early and I had a hard time figuring out where I was. I got lost once and had to find my way back to the course. I think the organization was top notch, except as mentioned earlier about the aid stations and mile markers. However, two of the course moniters came to my rescue with water and tons of inspiration and finished the last 2-3 miles with me. The Medals were awesome and I even got roses. It's the little things that matter and the finish area was well stocked, even for slower runners/walkers. I will be back next year. THANKS. | |
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A Runner from Omaha, Nebraska
(10/9/2002)
 "Wonderful Event!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I really can't say enough good things about the Des Moines Marathon. The spectators were enthusiastic and very supportive. The course had quite a bit of variety of scenery. Water stations were well staffed and the spectators even pitched in with snacks from time to time. The finish along the river with the fans lining the hill down the home stretch was great. I would definitely recommend this race to anybody who is considering running it. |
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