How hilly is the IMT Des Moines Marathon?
The IMT Des Moines Marathon is described as gently rolling.
IMT Des Moines 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
IMT Des Moines Marathon at a glance
- Cut-off average pace
- 9:57/km
- Typical conditions
- 81/100
- Evidence depth
- 42 verified facts
7:00:00 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
IMT Des Moines Marathon has known course details for its marathon race. The summary below keeps the focus on what is confirmed for the course.
- Official distance
- 42.2 km
- Terrain
- Trail, Road
- Scenery
- City, Lakeside, Historic, Parkland, Riverside
Quick answers
What runners ask first
Where does the IMT Des Moines Marathon route go?
The IMT Des Moines Marathon route starts at 300 Court Ave, downtown Des Moines, IA 50309; marathon, half and relay start at 8:00 AM and finishes at 300 Court Ave, downtown Des Moines, IA 50309. Underfoot, expect road/pavement on closed downtown and neighborhood streets. It passes Iowa State Capitol, Downtown Des Moines, Drake University Blue Oval, Gray's Lake Park and Water Works Park. Highlights include a lap around Drake University's famed 'Blue Oval' track, the Iowa State Capitol, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Gray's Lake and Water Works Park, and historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines.
What should runners know on race day for the IMT Des Moines Marathon?
Course runs on closed Des Moines and West Des Moines city streets through downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Pace groups available; a pacer guide is published on the official website.
Race character
Scenery
- City
- Lakeside
- Historic
- Parkland
- Riverside
Terrain
- Trail
- Road
- Elevation character
- Gently Rolling
- Technicality
- Non Technical
- Net elevation
- 0 m
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Men's course record
- 2:12:19 (Philip Lagat)
- Women's course record
- 2:32:28 (Abnet Simegn)
- Field size
- Marathon drew 1,889 finishers in 2025, ranking it the largest marathon in Iowa and 50th largest in the U.S.
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
- Cut-off
- 7 hours (16-minute-per-mile pace); finish line open for 7 hours, accommodating runners, walkers and wheelchair participants
- Qualification status
- Boston Marathon qualifier on a course marketed as flat and fast with Boston Qualifier potential
Race day logistics
- Pacers
- Pace groups available; a pacer guide is published on the official website
- Closed roads
- Course runs on closed Des Moines and West Des Moines city streets through downtown and surrounding neighborhoods
- Expo / packet pickup
- BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Health and Fitness Expo at Cowles Commons (221 Walnut St.) on Friday Oct 16 (12-6PM) and Saturday Oct 17 (10AM-5PM); bib numbers emailed to athletes Friday Oct 16, with walk-up registration at the expo
- Medal
- All finishers receive a medal; designs previewed on social media before race day
- Finisher tee
- Marathon finishers receive a black puffy vest; half marathon and relay athletes a waffle hoodie; 5K participants a technical short-sleeve shirt (size guaranteed if registered before July)
Access and course status
- Start
- 300 Court Ave, downtown Des Moines, IA 50309; marathon, half and relay start at 8:00 AM
- Finish
- 300 Court Ave, downtown Des Moines, IA 50309
Course facts
- Surface
- Road/pavement on closed downtown and neighborhood streets
- Landmarks
- Iowa State Capitol, Downtown Des Moines, Drake University Blue Oval, Gray's Lake Park, Water Works Park, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Valley Junction (West Des Moines)
- Notable features
- Race weekend offers a full marathon, half marathon, Bankers Trust marathon relay, Bankers Trust 10K, Healthiest State Initiative 5K and a free Kids Run, plus the Corridor to Capitol Challenge and I-35 Challenge multi-race series. Official charity is Children's Cancer Connection (CCC), with over $88,000 raised together with IMT Insurance
- Highlights include a lap around Drake University's famed 'Blue Oval' track, the Iowa State Capitol, the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, Gray's Lake and Water Works Park, and historic Valley Junction in West Des Moines
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 12°CTypical temperature
- 23 kphTypical wind
- 2 mmTypical rainfall
- 81Favourability /100