Where: Start at the west end of Saylorville Dam, north of Des Moines. Finish at Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines. Buses leave from the Polk County Convention Complex, 501Grand Avenue, to Saylorville Dam from 5:15 to 6 a.m. Transportation is only available prior to the race. There are no return buses to the dam site after the race. Bus transportation is included in the entry fee.
Description: Dam to Dam is Iowa’s Distance Classic and ranks as one of the best long distance races in the USA.
Please join the largest 20 kilometer in the nation from Saylorville Dam to downtown Des Moines.
The 5 kilometer gives everyone an opportunity to participate in Dam to Dam and now ranks as the largest in Iowa.
The free youth runs are Olympic distances of 100, 200 and 400 meters.
Read more about Race Day, The After Party and Here’s What You Get! A great race for great runners!
Website: http://www.damtodam.com/
Results: 2010 20K, 2010 5K, 2009 Results 20K, 2009 Results 5K, Previous year’s results
Great 5K race, packet pickup was great with free food, beer, etc. The race was easy to maneuver and there was plenty of water. The downtown Des Moines congestion is not my thing, but other than that, it was great!
This was my second Dam to Dam 20k. Awesome packet pickup with free food galore and beer for the whole family. Little in the way of vendors, but that’s fine with me. The bus transportation to the start was smooth and it’s a great point to point course into downtown Des Moines with a couple small hills. Water was plentiful on the course, which was important with the heat and humidity this year. The ice cubes were appreciated as well as the lady handing out ice cold sponges…felt wonderful! The post race barbecue sandwiches, beer, kettle corn, chocolate milk were excellent as well as the atmosphere and organization. Only negatives- Porta potties were a little cramped at the race start because of where they were located, and I think if they had more technical shirts with the Dam to Dam logo at the packet pickup they would of sold like hotcakes, but all in all a super race in a super city! I even got a PR!
FANTABULOUS RACE!!! A couple hills but not too horrible. Atmosphere was amazing and the post race was also wonderful. A great course for all types of runners and was very well organized.
From the beginning of the race I thought, WOW how organized! Even walking a mile to get to the start and standing in the rain for over an hour before the start of the race didn’t make me upset. I was excited during the run, and even finished in better time than I thought. Then I got to the finish line where family members were allowed to great the runners in the street, creating unneeded chaos. Standing in line in one spot for longer than 5 minutes after running 12.4 miles and then having to walk even further before you get water. Really? Not safe at all! I felt like I was going to pass out from how hot, humid and crowded it was, and heard several other runners complaining as well. With how organized the start was, I thought the end would be the same way. Not even close! I will make sure to never run this race again, and will tell others of my unhappy experience!! The Bix is a better race, costs half the price and is a lot more organized.
I was so looking forward to this run. That did not last long. Based on the “7 and 8″ minute pace runners not being able keep that pace made this run very disappointing. I was at the start on time, but could not get to the 8 minute pace start. Those that thought they were going to maintain that pace were still being passed by us at 5 miles. There were just too many people for such tight quarters. The crowds did not thin out until mile 9. Miles 11 – 12 were extremely narrow for 7,800 people!
As for organization during and after the race: Very well done. 2 or 5 stars for the start. Need to have corrals or group starts.
AWESOME race! This was my first year competing and I had a blast, even with the rain! I had planned for the hills in the middle of the route through training but I wasn’t expecting that last hill around mile 11 or so…that was tough! I thought this event was so well organized, and everyone involved was so cheerful and helpful. The spectators were GREAT all throughout the route. Even our bus driver from the convention center to the race start was so friendly! I really enjoyed being around so many other people before the race as well…everyone has a story, and it was fun to listen to others and share my own goals and so forth. I did think the end of the race, between mile 11 and 12 specifically, was extremely narrow and a little congested but once we got off that bike path and onto the roads again, it seemed better. I had a lot of fun and definitely plan on doing this race again in the future. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great race experience!
This was quite a wet race! It was rainy, but I liked that better than being too hot and humid. I like the technical shirts that were included in our goody bag. There was about a mile walk to the starting line when we were dropped off the bus. There was not as much entertainment along the route as I had hoped for, but I think that was due to the weather. There were plenty of port a potties at the beginning, but I wish there were a few more throughout the course, so you didn’t have to wait in line as long. The route was nice, but the hill around mile 7 was tough. I thought that it was a little too congested at the end. It was hard to get the the food and drinks without squishing though people. Overall, I would do it again. It is a great bargain!
Wow! What an amazing turnout of determined runners! So inspiring to see the 20k finishers. I had a great time watching them cross the finish line before running the 5k. The restrooms were close to the start line thank goodness considering I had to use them 3-4 times I was so nervous! I enjoyed the route and the entertainment. The only drawback is weaving around other runners and for me… the gal in front of me pushed herself so hard that when she crossed the finish line she lost it… on my shoes! Yikes!! All in all… good race with plenty of food and beverages. I’ll be back that’s for sure.
I ran Dam to Dam for the first time this year and LOVED it. There was plenty to keep me entertained throughout the whole race – especially when you hit the halfway mark and start going through town.
I’d definitely recommend it to someone doing their first long-distance race. Word of warning, though – the porta-potties along the way are very limited so be prepared to wait in line or plan accordingly.
This was a great race. This was the first year I did it, and I will surely do it again next year. I loved the entertainment along the route…I usually run with an ipod, but there was so much to keep me occupied along the way, that I didn’t need it. I wish there would have been a few more porta-potties along the route so I wouldn’t have wasted time waiting in line.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience.
This race was a blast. The day was perfect and the race was well organized.
Make sure to line up early if you’re gunning for a personal best, though. The course is narrow and crowded and if your pace is faster than those around you – you’ll be dodging and weaving the entire 12 miles.
Prepare yourself for champagne at mile 12 and if you’re lucky…a friend will be waiting with a cold beer at the end.
This race is a bargain (if you register early). Don’t let the length of the bus ride psych you out. It will seem like they drove you really far out into the country in the early dark/dawn. Downtown Des Moines looks so small and far away from the start. The route is long enough and features enough hills late in the course to make you want to quit. I left off one star because the 5K runners are coming at you and the faster 5K are weaving through you toward the end. I keep hoping they’ll change the 5K so it isn’t so much of an out and back. It really congests the route at the end. But if you’re faster than me (and most are) then this will never be a factor for you. Organization is great but gave only 4 stars because they always have to mail me a finisher’s medal (again, I am slow and they run out of them on the day of the race). I would also suggest they put up more cup trash cans and put less water in the cups at the refreshment stations. I do love the ice station in the last 1/2 (great for the hands an back). They added timing chips for 2009, which is a welcome upgrade. Overall, try this race once and you’ll be returning annually.
Watch out for the hill around mile 7. I have ran this in the past and for some reason my finish has never been good. I’m blaming the hill! Also get there early to catch the bus shuttle to the start.