Terms & Conditions
Athletes participating in the IMT Des Moines Marathon agree to obey and accept the rules of the race and any related events and abide by any race official’s decision concerning the athlete’s ability to complete the race safely.
Participation
Participating in a road race is a potentially hazardous activity. Athletes should be medically able and properly trained to particiapte in the IMT Des Moines Marathon. The athlete understands the risks associated with running this event, including, but not limited to, weather, traffic, course conditions, surfaces, falls, and contact with other runners, volunteers, or spectators. RRCA GUIDELINES FOR SAFE EVENTS.
The IMT Des Moines Marathon does not permit the following items: Dogs on leashes or other pets, skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades, baby joggers, or different vehicle types.
Disqualification
If an athlete registers for a race run in a different race without offically requesting to do so before or on race day, they will be automatically disqualified and listed in DNF results (did not finish). Officials will remove race bandits, bandit pacers, or any athlete participating in any portion of any race without a proper race bib. These regulations are for the safety of the athletes participating in the race. The IMT Des Moines Marathon reserves the right to disqualify and remove anyone from the course at any time.
Race Bandits
Athletes who jump onto the race course and run a portion of the race without registering or paying an entry fee are not allowed. Bandits can pose security risks and take resources away from the athletes who have registered and paid for race amenities such as hydration, food, finisher medals, along with conveniences of a marked course and the services to provide a closed course such as medical and public safety. All race bandits will be pulled from the course immediately.
Course-Cutting
Athletes must stay on the race course, defined as the roadway between its edges and curbs, or as defined by marks or cones. Athletes who intentionally shorten the route of the race (course-cutting) will be disqualified. Any participant leaving the race course for any reason must re-enter the course where they left it or be disqualified for course-cutting.
Course-cutting may be determined by eye-witness reports, surveillance equipment, video, or the participant failing to register times at timing mats or appearing in race photography. Participants with missing or irregular mile split times at official timing checkpoints will be review and may be disqualified.
Cancellation Policy
Race entry fees ARE NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, AND NON-DEFERRABLE FOR ANY REASON, including injury, pregnancy, schedule changes, or family emergencies. This means once the IMT Des Moines Marathon receives and accepts the athlete’s race entry, the race will not issue a refund, transfer, or deferral if the athlete cannot participate on race day.
Refunds will not be issued if the event is canceled because of conditions outside the control of the event organizers for the safety and well-being of event staff, participants, and the community, such as severe weather, civil unrest, pandemics, bans on public gatherings, the threat of terrorism, or other unforeseen circumstances that would make the event non-viable. The registrant acknowledges this policy in step 2 of the race registration process.
Insurance
Optional event registration insurance is offered by secure fee through Get Me Registered at the time of registration. For a description of coverage, CLICK HERE.
Minimum Age
The minimum age for participation, in any event, is five (5) years old, excluding the kid’s run. Any participant under 18 must have a parent or guardian register and sign a waiver for them for the event they wish to participate in. The parent of guardian is also strongly encouraged to register and join with the underage participant in the event they are participating in.
Assisted Athletes
Disabled athletes (assisted athletes) who seek to enter any event in which they will be pushed in a wheelchair by a non-disabled athlete (pusher) must contact race officials in advance to register so that officials can make the necessary preparations. The pusher and assisted will be registered as a 2-person team and pay on registration fee but receive full race amenities.
A liability waiver must be signed by both pusher and assisted athlete or by a parent or guardian. It is the team’s responsibility to maintain their equipment and carry a phone during the event. In wet weather, the event director will have the final determination in participation.
Awards will not be given in the assisted athlete division.
Push Rim Athletes
Able-bodied individuals using hand cycles or hand cranks may not participate in the assisted athlete division. They should register as an athlete in the race division and select the push rim category. All push-rim athletes must wear helmets and use appropriate caution on the course. The wheelchair shall have at least two large wheels and one small wheel. Mechanical gears and levers are not allowed that may be used to propel the chair. Athletes must ensure that no part of their lower limbs can fall to the ground or road during an event. The athlete’s responsibility is to maintain their equipment and provide their wheelchair conforms to all the above rules.
Visually Impaired
Athletes who meet the classifications for IBSA visual impairment (assisted athletes) who seek to enter any event will request aid from a non-disabled athlete (guide) and are required to contact race officials in advance of registering so necessary preparations can be made. The guide and assisted athlete will be written as a 2-person team and pay one registration fee but receive full race amenities. A waiver of liability must be signed by both guide and visually impaired athletes or by a parent or legal guardian. Successful completion of a training session is a condition of entry. Guides may not use a bicycle or other mechanical means of transport. A method of guidance is left to the choice of the team. Elbow lead, tether, or run-free are permitted. Awards will not be given in the visually impaired division.
Photographs
Athletes also grant the IMT Des Moines Marathon the right to photograph them, including family, connected with the above-identifed event. Athletes authorize the IMT Des Moines Marathon, assigns, and transferees to copyright, use, and publish the same in print or electronically. By participating in the IMT Des Moines Marathon, athletes also agree that the IMT Des Moines Marathon may use such photographs with or without the athlete’s name and for any lawful purpose, including, for example, such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and social media content.
Course Support
The IMT Des Moines finish line is open for 7-hours. This allows for a 16-minute per mile pace. Anyone who cannot maintain a 16-minute per mile pace must move to the sidewalk in the last miles as the course opens to allow regular traffic flow. Officials cannot guarantee services for athletes beyond the 16-minute per mile pace.
If an athlete wishes to leave the run course due to any reason, the IMT Des Moines Marathon will provide a vehicle to pick that athlete up and bring them back to the finish line. Once an athlete chooses to get into the SAG vehicle, they will be official eliminated from the final results and listed as a DNF (did not finish).
Medical Support
Medical support for this event will be provided by both professional and volunteer personnel who may be called upon to assist, including first aid, during or after the event. Medical volunteers will assist participants as necessary or appropriate. Entrants entering and participating in a road race agree to treatment by medical personnel. Also, they accept medical decisions related to the entrants ability to participate or continue in the race.
Medical Expenses
Participants are solely responsible for any medical expenses incurred from preparing and participating in the Des Moines Marathon, such as ambulance transfers, hospital admissions, lab work, and any follow-up care needed to address injury or illness.
Standard of Conduct
By accepting athletes’ fees to participate in this race, the IMT Des Moines Marathon is committed to the RRCA RACE DIRECTOR CODE OF ETHICS.
Drug Testing
Athletes participating in this competition my be subject to formal drug testing following the USA Track and Field rules and IAAF rule 144. Any participant found guilty of a major doping offense and has served a suspension of 2-years or longer is ineligible for prize money and will not be included in the race results. Athletes requesting information regarding drugs and drug testing may call the USOC HOT LINE AT 1-800-223-0393.