Where can I find the Drake Road Races 5K route map?
Use the official course links on this page for the organiser route page, map PDF or route download.
Official course linksDrake Road Races 5K
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2027 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Decision summary
Drake Road Races 5K at a glance
- Typical conditions
- 77/100
- Evidence depth
- 22 verified facts
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Source facts available
Route details
Known course facts at a glance
Drake Road Races 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, Trail
- Scenery
- City, Historic, Parkland
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Drake Road Races 5K?
The Drake Road Races 5K is described as flat. The course notes also call it flat and fast course highlighting the Drake campus and downtown Des Moines area.
Where does the Drake Road Races 5K route go?
The Drake Road Races 5K route starts at Bulldog Plaza on the southwest corner of Forest Avenue, outside Drake Stadium and finishes at The iconic Blue Oval inside Drake Stadium. Underfoot, expect paved roads (closed street course). The setting includes city and historic. All races finish on the iconic Blue Oval track inside Drake Stadium.
What should runners know on race day for the Drake Road Races 5K?
Gear check available from 6:30 AM; participants detach a tear-off tag from their bib and leave items with volunteers. Run on a closed street course monitored by the Des Moines Police Department.
Race character
Scenery
- City
- Historic
- Parkland
Atmosphere
- Community
- Competitive
Terrain
- Road
- Trail
- Elevation character
- Flat
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Field size
- Over 3,600 participants in 2026 (record participation across all three distances).
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
Race day logistics
- Bag drop
- Gear check available from 6:30 AM; participants detach a tear-off tag from their bib and leave items with volunteers.
- Closed roads
- Run on a closed street course monitored by the Des Moines Police Department.
- Expo / packet pickup
- Relays Health & Fitness Expo at the Knapp Center on the Drake University campus serves as packet pickup the day before the race; in-person early registration also held at Cowles Commons downtown.
- Medal
- All participants receive a commemorative finisher medal.
- Finisher tee
- All participants receive a premium, gender-specific apparel item.
Access and course status
- Start
- Bulldog Plaza on the southwest corner of Forest Avenue, outside Drake Stadium.
- Finish
- The iconic Blue Oval inside Drake Stadium.
Course facts
- Surface
- Paved roads (closed street course).
- Notable features
- All races finish on the iconic Blue Oval track inside Drake Stadium
- participants receive a free ticket to the Drake Relays Distance Carnival and free professional race photos
- Flat and fast course highlighting the Drake campus and downtown Des Moines area
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 11°CTypical temperature
- 24 kphTypical wind
- 3 mmTypical rainfall
- 77Favourability /100