Des Moines St. Paddy's Marathon

Lace up your greenest running shoes for the Des Moines St. Paddy's Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K on March 14, 2026, in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa. This lively event celebrates the luck of the Irish, inviting runners to immerse themselves in a festive atmosphere as they tackle their chosen distance. The course is renowned for its flat and fast profile, designed to give participants an excellent opportunity to achieve personal bests and Boston Marathon qualifying times.

The Des Moines St. Paddy's Marathon course is a scenic loop that starts and finishes near the iconic Iowa State Capitol. Runners will traverse downtown streets, charming residential neighborhoods, and expansive city parks, all while enjoying views of the city skyline and picturesque stretches along the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers on paved bike trails. With minimal elevation changes, thanks to a 2024 course alteration that removed many hills, this race is celebrated as the fastest course in Iowa. Aid stations, providing water and sports drinks, are strategically placed along the route, with marathoners passing three key stops twice. Typical race day conditions often feature highs around 49°F and lows around 30°F, with a low chance of precipitation, creating ideal running weather.

What truly sets this race apart is its vibrant St. Patrick's Day spirit and strong community engagement. While crowd support is most robust at the start and finish, enthusiastic and weather-brave volunteers provide encouragement throughout the course. Finishers of the marathon and half marathon are awarded a commemorative medal, a finisher pint glass, and a sugar cookie, with those 21 and older also receiving a complimentary mug of beer to cap off their accomplishment. The Des Moines St. Paddy's Marathon offers a memorable, festive, and PR-friendly running experience.