Favorite Cities for Racing

Do I have a favorite city for racing?

By default, I'd have to go with Des Moines. Not because I live there (I'm actually about 50 miles east of Iowa's capital city), but because that seems to be where a lot of my races happen.

It seems like I find myself in Des Moines frequently, whether it's for shopping, travel (via the Des Moines International Airport) or a fun dining out experience. Hands-down, though, I'm there far more often for some of my favorite races.


My all-time favorite Des Moines-based race has been Dam to Dam. This race had a 39-year run, and ended this past summer, on June 2nd. It had always been a 20K, but had changed to a half marathon in recent years...but they brought back the 20K distance for its final hurrah. I ran this for the first time in 2008 and immediately fell in love with the event, and returned every year there after (11 total DAM times). Another company will be doing a similar race, DAM to DSM, utilizing (I believe) the same route...so, fingers crossed the tradition will continue, albeit with a different name.

My 11 D2D medals...from 2008-2018

I have also run the IMT Des Moines Half  Marathon numerous times, like seven times to be exact. This was my first-ever half marathon (in 2008) and the 2012 race holds my 13.1 PR. The route has had a few tweaks and modifications, but for the most part has remained about the same, showcasing some of the downtown sights and looping around Water Works Park and Gray's Lake.

October 2018...my 7th time at the IMT DSM 13.1

There's also the IMT Des Moines Marathon itself, where my 26.2 PR happened in 2014.

This epic pic of  the hubby & me is from the 2014 IMT DSM Marathon, at the 26-mile mark

Another favorite race I have done many times, in Des Moines, is the Leprechaun Chase, a 10K event that gives the lasses (aka the gals) a 5-minute head start ahead of the lads (aka the guys). Essentially, as the name implies, the lads truly chase the lasses, and whomever crosses the finish line first earns their entire team (all the fellow lads or lasses) a free green beer at the post-finish line party.

March 2018...go green or go home

Every February, right before Valentine's Day, there's the Red Flannel Run. This event benefits the Wellmark YMCA (downtown) and has featured 5K and 5-mile options. Unfortunately, in 2019, they are eliminating the 5-mile and replacing it with a triathlon (indoor). I have always done the 5-mile race, so I probably won't be heading back there in February, which is a bummer.

2018...my 7th Red Flannel Run

Although I have done a lot of racing in Des Moines, there have been other fun cities that deserve mention:

**Davenport, IA -  famous for the Bix-7 and the Quad Cities Marathon, two more of my favorite events!

Bix-7 finish line

**Chicago, IL - I have run along the lake shore several times, but have also run the RnR Half Marathon (twice), the RnR 5K (also twice), and the Wintrust Lakefront 10-Mile.

on the lakefront path

**Philadelphia, PA - I have only been there once, for the RnR Philly Half Marathon, and it was phenomenal!

on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

**San Francisco, CA -no official racing, but a couple of runs happened in the downtown area, as well as across the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate!

So, those are a few of my favorites. Although I love returning to the same cities for a variety of races, I enjoy exploring new places as well. In fact, I am on a quest to do a race in every state. Currently, my "racing states" count is at 10....so I have some work to do.

How about you? Got any favorite cities? How many different states have you raced in?

**I'm linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

**And with Nicole and Annmarie for the Wild Wednesday Workout

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Marc and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner

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