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Des Moines Marathon

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Event information

Des Moines Marathon

Oct 06, 2002

4.7

Organizer`s website

Where

Des Moines, IA, United States

Start time

09:00

Distances

Marathon

Sub-events

26.2

Marathon

October 06, 2002 Sunday

Distance: Marathon·Start time: 09:00

MarathonPoint to pointWheelchair race

Race Results

Top 3

1. Simon Sawe 02:22:57

2. Marty Dalton 02:25:08

3. Julius Rotich 02:29:27

Top 3 Women

1. Wendy Hall 02:50:38

2. Robyn Friedman 02:55:33

3. Abi Watras 02:58:43

Top 3 Men

1. Simon Sawe 02:22:57

2. Marty Dalton 02:25:08

3. Julius Rotich 02:29:27

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

The Hidden Injury You’re Ignoring: Why IT Band Syndrome Derails Marathoners and How to Stop It You’ve logged the miles, built your base, and finally feel like a real marathoner — until a sharp, burning sensation flares up on the outside of your knee, and...

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Fueling the Long Run: A Race-Tested Nutrition Plan for Miles 1–26.2 Running a marathon is a 26.2-mile test of endurance, determination, and — often underestimated — nutrition strategy. No matter how well your legs are trained,...

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Running Through the Wall: Mental Strategies for Miles 18–26 There’s a moment in nearly every marathon — somewhere between mile 18 and 22 — when your legs stop listening and your mind starts negotiating. The crowd thins....

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See all training articles

The Des Moines Marathon has been deluged with e-mails since its inaugural event on October 6th. Many of the e-mails have stated or suggested that a concerted effort is underway to tarnish the success of the event. Most of these are based on unsportsmanlike, false or misleading information.

General News

Oct 16, 2002

Men's runner-up Dalton disqualified for using pacer in Des Moines

Marty Dalton, 26, of Earlham was disqualified on Wednesday for using a non registered pacer in the first Des Moines Marathon. Dalton, who finished in second place is contesting the ruling. The use of a non registered pacer is a violation of United States Track and Field rules. Julius Rotich, 27, of West Des Moines was officially moved into the second spot and Sean Birren, 29, of St. Charles, MO, is now the third place finisher.

General News Des Moines Register

Oct 10, 2002

That's a First in Des Moines

Simon Sawe the men's winner of the inaugural Alliance Technologies Des Moines Marathon ran a 2:22:57 despite his concerns over the creeping cold. He did express confidence in finishing in the top three. Marty Dalton of Earlham took second in 2:25:08, and Julius Rotich of West Des Moines placed third in 2:29:27. All three top finishers commented on the enthusiastic crowd support for a first time race.

General News Des Moines Register

Oct 09, 2002

Sawe's Prize Money will go to Good Cause

As part of a growing community of Kenyan professional runners Simon Sawe will use the $3,000 winners purse from the first Des Moines Marathon to help his family who are residing in Kenya. The purse, which is large for Sawe, will help him buy a better home for his parents.

General News Des Moines Register

Oct 09, 2002