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Des Moines Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Des Moines, IA, USA
- Race Date: 10/18/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Des Moines Marathon Description
The IMT Des Moines Marathon is a flat, Boston-qualifying loop through Iowa’s capital each October, starting and finishing in downtown Des Moines with skyline views throughout. The course weaves through vibrant neighborhoods, past the Iowa State Capitol, and onto the Drake University campus for a memorable lap around the famed Blue Oval track. It’s one of the Midwest’s most popular fall marathons, pairing with the state’s largest half marathon for a can’t-miss race weekend. Pace groups help runners of every level chase a personal best.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Des Moines Marathon Additional Details:
Aid stations here go well beyond the usual water and Gatorade, expect bacon, pickle juice, sour gummies, and GU scattered along the course, a lineup that keeps things interesting by mile 20. The finisher medal itself scales with distance, so 5K, half, and full marathon finishers each come away with a size that matches the effort put in. Community support runs deep too, this is a race locals rally around, and it shows in the volunteer energy at aid stations and the crowds that gather for that Drake University lap. Runners consistently rate the overall experience high, with most saying they’d happily recommend it to a friend training for their first or fiftieth marathon, a testament to how well the small details come together on race day.
Course Information
Profile: Mostly Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 8 hours
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 2,500+
Marathon: 1,850 to 1,900
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 682 ft
Elevation Loss: 682 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 42°F
- High: 65°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans to get you to the start line ready.
Structured plans for every experience level, first finish to chasing a new PR.
Your bridge into marathons, with a plan built for stepping up the distance.
Things to Do in Des Moines, IA, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Blank Park Zoo
See tigers, penguins, and giraffes among more than 100 species at the Blank Park Zoo — a flat, self-paced walk that’s gentle on recovering legs.
Museums & History
State Historical Building of Iowa
Tour the State Historical Building of Iowa for exhibits on the state’s history and culture — an easy, air-conditioned, low-impact indoor stop after race weekend.
Food & Drink
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
Browse fresh produce and local goods from more than 300 vendors at the seasonal Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market — a lively, low-impact way to refuel after race day.
Landmark
Iowa State Capitol
Take a guided tour of the Iowa State Capitol and its gleaming gold dome, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks — an easy, mostly-indoor stop after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
High Trestle Trail
Bike a flat stretch of the 25-mile High Trestle Trail, crossing an iconic half-mile bridge suspended 13 stories above the Des Moines River valley — easy on tired legs.
Sports & Entertainment
Principal Park
Catch an Iowa Cubs Triple-A game at Principal Park, the AAA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs — a relaxed, seated way to spend a summer evening.
Shopping
East Village
Browse boutique shops like Raygun in the East Village, Des Moines’s most eclectic and walkable neighborhood — an easy, flat stroll for a post-race souvenir after race weekend.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Wander the free, downtown Pappajohn Sculpture Park, home to more than two dozen large-scale contemporary sculptures — a flat, easy way to spend a rest day.
Arts & Culture
Des Moines Art Center
See rotating exhibits at the Des Moines Art Center, a cultural cornerstone of the city’s downtown — a relaxed, indoor way to spend a taper or recovery day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Des Moines Marathon
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Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes