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Iowa > Drake Relays On-the-Roads Half Marathon & 8K
Des Moines, IA • Saturday, April 28, 2012 • Course Map
Run along mostly rolling terrain through the heart of Iowa's capital city, Des Moines' On-the-Road Half Marathon is part of what has become an annual springtime tradition in the city, the Drake Relays road races have been a fixture in this city for more than four decades -- the race will mark its 44th annual running here in the spring of 2012.
From the starting line near the athletic stadium on the tree-lined campus of Drake University, the race follows a counter-clockwise, out-and-back loop course through the city, winding through a mix of neighborhoods, commercial districts, and park and greenspace areas.
Race organizers say the race is one of Iowa's best-loved half marathon races, and it's easy to see why. The course features a pleasing yet also challenging mix of flat and hilly stretches, easing runners into the race for the first couple of miles and then throwing in big downhill and uphill stretches between miles 3 and 6. The race then flattens out for the next couple of miles before hitting its next significant hills between miles 8 and 10, and then flattens out again for the last two miles to the finish line back at the University campus.
There were more than 2,000 finishers in the half-marathon and the 8K races combined in 2011 (1,061 for the half marathon and 996 for the 8K), so you'll no doubt have plenty of company along the course as you complete the race, which starts at 8:00 AM and closes at 10:30 AM in order to re-open the streets to traffic. That means that runners are expected to keep an approximately 11-minute-per-mile pace, so no lolly-gagging around.
Though they are the marquee races in the Drake Relays road races, Sunday's events are just the conclusion of an extra-long weekend of track and field events that take place at Drake University's stadium, where the half and the 8K start. Tickets are available as part of your race package for the previous days' events, which take place Thursday through Saturday.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located in the southern half of the state and close to its center, Des Moines (the state's capital city) enjoys warming but still often quite cold weather conditions in the early to mid-spring season, with occasional wet weather. In April, monthly temperatures average between 62°F and 41°F, while precipitation amounts average just over 3.8 inches for the month. On the day of the race (April 28), the average high is 67°F and the average low is 46°F.
Course Map
View the race route map for the Drake Relays On-the-Roads Half Marathon
Fees
N/A
Registration
To reserve your spot in the spring 2012 running of Des Moines' Drake Relays On-the-Roads Half Marathon or 8K race, visit the event website.
Official Race Website
www.godrakebulldogs.com
Leave a Comment
Ever run in Iowa's annual Drake Relays On-the-Roads Half Marathon? Share your impressions, stories and tips from the event.
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