How hilly is the EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines)?
The EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines) is described as flat.
EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines) Half Marathon
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
EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines) Half Marathon at a glance
- Cut-off average pace
- 10:34/km
- Typical conditions
- 50/100
- Evidence depth
- 28 verified facts
3:43:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Source facts available
Route details
Known course facts at a glance
EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines) Half Marathon has known course details for its half marathon race. The summary below keeps the focus on what is confirmed for the course.
- Official distance
- 21.1 km
- Terrain
- Road
- Scenery
- City, Countryside, Coastal, Lakeside, Riverside
Quick answers
What runners ask first
Where does the EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines) route go?
The EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines) route starts at Saylorville Dam, near Saylorville Lake, Polk County, Iowa and finishes at Cowles Commons, downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Underfoot, expect a road course. The setting includes city and countryside. described as 'the most iconic race route in all of Iowa'.
What should runners know on race day for the EMC DAM to DSM Half Marathon (Des Moines)?
Mandatory shuttle bus to the start line (required by the Army Corps of Engineers); bus pickup between 5:00-6:00 AM from DMACC Ankeny Campus and a downtown Des Moines lot (Cherry Street between 7th & 8th).
Race character
Scenery
- City
- Countryside
- Coastal
- Lakeside
- Riverside
Atmosphere
- Community
- Scenic Tour
Terrain
- Road
- Elevation character
- Flat
- Technicality
- Non Technical
Entry, logistics and records
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Past event: The listed edition date has passed.
- Cut-off
- 17-minute-per-mile pace limit; athletes who fall behind are picked up by a support vehicle
- Qualification status
- Not a Boston qualifier; open registration road race with a minimum age of 12 on race day
Race day logistics
- Closed roads
- Mandatory shuttle bus to the start line (required by the Army Corps of Engineers); bus pickup between 5:00-6:00 AM from DMACC Ankeny Campus and a downtown Des Moines lot (Cherry Street between 7th & 8th)
- Expo / packet pickup
- Packet pickup at Cowles Commons on Thursday May 29th (4:00-7:00 PM) and Friday (12:00-6:30 PM); race-morning pickup available for a service fee
- Race village
- No
- Medal
- Finisher medal included with registration
- Finisher tee
- Athletic t-shirt and athlete swag box included with registration, plus official race bib and sponsor items
Access and course status
- Start
- Saylorville Dam, near Saylorville Lake, Polk County, Iowa
- Finish
- Cowles Commons, downtown Des Moines, Iowa
Course facts
- Course type
- Point To Point
- Notable features
- Organised by RipRoar Events LLC, a Des Moines-based production company
- described as 'the most iconic race route in all of Iowa'. Major sponsors include EMC Insurance, Eide Bailly, Iowa Orthopaedic Center, Broadlawns Medical Center and Big Grove Brewing
- Cold beer served at the finish line in downtown Des Moines
- Travels from the shores of Saylorville Lake through the rural beauty of Polk County before entering the Northside neighborhoods and finishing in downtown Des Moines
- the route has remained largely unchanged for over 45 years (2026 route subject to change)
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 19°CTypical temperature
- 20 kphTypical wind
- 4 mmTypical rainfall
- 50Favourability /100