Where can I find the Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K route map?
Use the official course links on this page for the organiser route page, map PDF or route download.
Official course linksDes Moines Turkey Trot 5K
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2026 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Decision summary
Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K at a glance
- Typical conditions
- 72/100
- Evidence depth
- 35 verified facts
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Source facts available
Route details
Known course facts at a glance
Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K has known course details for its 5k race. The summary below keeps the focus on what is confirmed for the course.
- Official distance
- 5 km
- Terrain
- Road
- Scenery
- Riverside, City, Countryside, Historic, Waterfront
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K?
The Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K is described as gently rolling.
Where does the Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K route go?
The Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K route starts at Des Moines Courthouse in the Court District (Court Avenue) and finishes at Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines. Underfoot, expect road. It passes Des Moines River, Historic East Village, State Capitol Complex, Greater Des Moines Botanical Center and Women's Achievement Bridge. Course is described as 'a highlight reel of the city': from the courthouse it crosses the Des Moines River, runs through the Historic East Village and circles the State Capitol Complex for the most famous view of downtown.
What should runners know on race day for the Des Moines Turkey Trot 5K?
1.
Race character
Scenery
- Riverside
- City
- Countryside
- Historic
- Waterfront
Atmosphere
- Community
- Big City
- Festival
Terrain
- Road
- Elevation character
- Gently Rolling
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Field size
- 15,000+ participants (historical)
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
Race day logistics
- Aid stations
- 1
- Headphones allowed
- Yes
- Expo / packet pickup
- Packet pickup is held on the 2nd floor of the Renaissance Savery Des Moines Hotel.
- Race village
- No
- Medal
- All finishers receive a finisher ornament at the finish line; the Tot Trot is the only event awarding a medal.
- Finisher tee
- Entry includes a TROT DSM knit cap (beanie) and a shopper bag rather than a shirt; an official race t-shirt and socks are optional add-on purchases.
Access and course status
- Start
- Des Moines Courthouse in the Court District (Court Avenue)
- Finish
- Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines
Course facts
- Course type
- Loop
- Surface
- Road
- Landmarks
- Des Moines River, Historic East Village, State Capitol Complex, Greater Des Moines Botanical Center, Women's Achievement Bridge, World Food Prize building
- Notable features
- Named 'Top Trot' in Iowa by Runner's World for five years running and cited as one of the best Turkey Trots in the country
- RaceJoy / GPS live-tracking app provided as part of the official race experience
- Course is described as 'a highlight reel of the city': from the courthouse it crosses the Des Moines River, runs through the Historic East Village and circles the State Capitol Complex for the most famous view of downtown
- 5K (3.1 miles) shares the core downtown loop: courthouse start, Des Moines River crossing, East Village, and a circle of the State Capitol Complex
- one aid station on course
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 3°CTypical temperature
- 22 kphTypical wind
- 1 mmTypical rainfall
- 72Favourability /100