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Des Moines Marathon

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Event information

Des Moines Marathon

Oct 18, 2009

4.7

Organizer`s website

Where

Des Moines, IA, United States

Start time

09:00

Distances

Marathon

Sub-events

26.2

Marathon

October 18, 2009 Sunday

Distance: Marathon·Start time: 09:00

MarathonPoint to pointWheelchair race

Race Results

Top 3

1. Simon Sawe 02:24:50

2. David Tuwei 02:24:55

3. Geoffrey Birgen 02:25:16

Top 3 Women

1. Robyn Friedman 02:41:28

2. Vira Ovcharuk 02:43:37

3. Svetlana Baygulova 02:47:19

Top 3 Men

1. Simon Sawe 02:24:50

2. David Tuwei 02:24:55

3. Geoffrey Birgen 02:25:16

SEE ALL RESULTS

Race Details

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Training Plan

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Marathons Near Des Moines, IA

Jun

Cedar Rapids Marathon Weekend

Cedar Rapids, IA

Jul

Heartland Series - IA

Clinton, IA

Aug

Moorehead Park Trail Mazathon

Ida Grove, IA

Sep

Wabash Trace Marathon

Shenandoah, IA

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Reviews

4.7

Based on 6 Reviews from other runners - tap or click to see all!

By: Turhan Jordan

Posted: October 31, 2025

Highly recommend!

Pros: Fantastic communication and enthusiasm from the race director and staff. Course support was top-notch — plenty of aid stations and helpful volunteers. The crowd support really stood out, especially through the neighborhoods and downtown. The course itself was fun and scenic, showing off a great mix of city and park views. Race photos were excellent (and free!). Course markings and directions were clear the entire way. Cons: There were no official corrals at the start, just an informal wave start. The finisher medal was pretty plain compared to other marathons of this size. Overall, a really enjoyable event with great community spirit and organization. With a few tweaks at the start line and a more memorable medal, it could easily be one of the best mid-sized marathons in the Midwest.

4.7

By: Traci S.

Posted: November 21, 2023

Decent city race

The race started downtown but the starting line was very congested and we started late. The route took us up several rolling hills and around Drake University Track in the first half, then after the half marathoners broke off it was less interesting. We ran for miles around a lake in a park, then made our way back downtown. The after party was where the outdoor expo was held. We had 2 beer tickets, pizza, donuts, and live music.

4.0

By: Malisa A.

Posted: October 25, 2022

Run on the Drake Relays track!

Awesome race, great spectators! Mile 12 you enter the Drake Relays and run 400M on the track - they call your name when you enter the stadium - really cool unique experience. The logistics were rock solid - tons of porta potties on course and great aid station! With 70+ fulls in 32 states this is a top 5 race!

5.0

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Training Tips

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See all training articles

Des Moines Marathon race director Chris Burch is hoping to catch a break during the marathon. The 2007 half-marathon saw the two-leaders taking a wrong turn and never getting back on course. The 2009 marathon leaders were held up by a passing train less than one quarter of a mile from the finish line.

General News Des Moines Register

Oct 23, 2009

Marathoners Never Trained (Get It?) For This

Simon Sawe was leading the Des Moines Marathon when a train brought his race to a screeching halt in the homestretch of the marathon. Runners in second and third caught Sawe. Fortunately Sawe was able to out sprint the other two runners to the finish.

General News Deadspin

Oct 21, 2009

Des Moines Marathon: Train Turns Men's Race Into All-Out Sprint

Simon Sawe was leading the Des Moines Marathon when a train brought him to a sudden stop within the last four-hundred meters. David Tuwei caught the leader but could not match Sawe's speed in the final sprint

General News Des Moines Register

Oct 19, 2009

Iowan Friedman Wins Women's Marathon in Des Moines

Robyn Friedman broke her own course record with her win in the Des Moines Marathon with a time of 2 hours 41 minutes and 31 seconds.

General News Des Moines Register

Oct 18, 2009