Where: Starts at the Riverfront YMCA in Des Moines, Iowa
Distance: 5 mile run and 3 mile walk/ run
Description: One loop out and back on mostly flat streets. Post-race activities to be held at the Riverfront YMCA. A meal will be served immediately following the race. The meal is free to all participants. All participants are encouraged to wear a costume. Judges will determine the winners before the race starts. Awards will follow the race. Check the entry form for contest categories.
Registration: Click here for online registration
The cost for this race is absurd! It’s a freaking 5k and $35 … are you kidding me. The route is nice and the post-race and awards are an added touch. I can’t get over the cost or the rudeness of the director when trying to register the day early. I wouldn’t run this race if it were offered to me free in the future regardless of the cause. Some charities just aren’t worth being donated too. I’ll spread my money around elsewhere like Run for Ronald or Race for the Cure.
Burrrrrr! We ran the three-mile race last year for the first time. The roads were safe and rather clear, for being in the middle of February. The course was flat and fast, with plenty of ‘entertainment’ in the form of crazy runners dressed up in flannel wear (or barely dressed at all – BURRRRR!). While it was nice that the post-race festivities were held inside, I do wish that they’d have the post-race party in the YMCA lobby or somewhere with easy access. One had to ‘jig and jag’ through the Y to find the party; and if you finish the race later, good luck in getting food, as you’ll have to wait in a VERY long line. The long-sleeved tech t-shirt is a nice bonus, but I do hope the organizers improve the post-race ‘situation.’
Nice race. The course is flat and fast. Temp. about 20 degrees at start. Pavement was damp and some ice-snow, but not bad. Good crowd – 750 for the 3 mile. Most particapants dressed with red flannel in mind. The YMCA really isnt large enough for the crowd they have developed for this activity. The shirt is a long sleeve tech and has a good design that people will wear after the even, and its red of course! . The start is poor. No Star Spanged Banner. No welcome. No gun – just voice command. After race party: The food was the best! Hot breakfast burritos. Really good. Bagels cut in half.- great, Yogurt, orange juice, fruit , other drinks. Long lines but worth the wait. For the food this race gets five stars. As I understand it the awards are mailed out so the “party” was the food and fellowship of the runners. Results were posted soon post race. Very relaxed. Runners all seemed to enjoy the event. This is a fun winter run that draws a crowd every year. Could be improved with a good MC. and a DJ. Hey, local radio personalities, what do you think?