Des Moines St. Paddy's Half Marathon, 5K & Marathon Run/Walk

The course

The start and finish line is just west of the Iowa State Capitol.¹ The 5K, half marathon and marathon courses are entirely paved, on either street or bike trail.¹

The marathon is two loops of the half marathon course.⁵ The USATF certificate describes the half marathon as a keyhole course, meaning out, around a loop and back, on a 100% paved surface.⁴

The certificate lists the start and finish at the same elevation, with a low point of 238.05 meters and a high point of 252.07 meters above sea level.⁴ The organizers' elevation map shows 715 feet of gain and 715 feet of loss.⁵

Half marathon and marathon water stations have both water and sports drink.¹ Runners can be tracked live in the RaceJoy app.¹

Certification

Both long courses are USATF certified. The marathon certificate is IA24004MF, effective March 11, 2024, and the half marathon certificate is IA24003MF, effective March 7, 2024.³⁴ The half marathon certification runs through the end of 2034.⁴

Time limits and pace groups

The time limits are 6 hours for the marathon, 3 hours 30 minutes for the half marathon and 1 hour 30 minutes for the 5K.¹ Once a limit passes, the streets reopen and anyone still on the course has to finish on the sidewalk.¹

Runners and walkers can both take part, within those limits.¹

Half marathon pace groups start at 1:30:00 and marathon pace groups at 3:00:00. Pacer finish times are not guaranteed.¹

Race-morning schedule

The official page lists onsite packet pickup and gear check opening at 6:45 a.m., the marathon and half marathon starting at 7:50 a.m., the Kids Dash at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K at 8:15 a.m.¹ Parts of that page still carried 2026 details when these sources were checked, so confirm the times closer to race day.

The Kids Dash is 100 meters, for children 8 and younger, and every finisher gets a ribbon.⁶

Parking is available in spots, lots and garages near the start and finish line.¹

Packet pickup

Packets can be mailed for a fee, collected in person before race day, or picked up at the event site on race morning.¹ Race-morning pickup is not recommended, and the organizers say to plan for a 15-minute wait.¹

To collect someone else's packet you need to bring their signed waiver.¹

Finish line and awards

In 2026, every marathon and half marathon runner received a finisher medal, and finish-line items included a 16-ounce pint glass and a shamrock sugar cookie.¹ Participants aged 21 and over get one complimentary beer, with ID.¹

Winner medals go to the top three men and women overall and in each age group in the timed marathon, half marathon and 5K. Age categories run from 10 and under through 70 and over.¹

Course records

The marathon records were both set in 2026: 2:38:01 for men and 2:51:18 for women.¹ The half marathon records are 1:11:07 for men, from 2026, and 1:19:45 for women, from 2024.¹

Rules and registration policies

• The race starts in rain, snow or shine, and can be delayed for lightning or other dangerous conditions.¹
• No dogs. Strollers are allowed for walkers and joggers only and start at the back of the corral.¹
• Headphones are allowed but strongly not recommended.¹
• You can switch to a different distance within the race up to 3 days before the run.¹
• You can defer or transfer your registration to next year's race, or to another All Community Events race, for $15, up to 3 days before the run.¹
• You can transfer your bib to another participant for $6 up to 3 days before the run.¹