your questions, answered
QUICK LINKSGENERAL EVENT INFO
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We value your money and want to make sure we’re delivering an exceptional experience to you wherever we can. Our standard refund policy across all races does not allow for refunds, transfers or deferrals for any reason.
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If you’re unable or do not desire to run in-person on race day you’ll be able to run virtually with us no matter where you are. Even if you’ve already registered for the in-person event changing your registration to virtual is easy and can be done using the steps listed below.
The deadline to have your swag shipped is April 15, 2027. If you sign up or transfer to virtual after April 15th you may not receive your swag before the in-person race weekend unless picked up in-person.
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The average high temperature for early May in Des Moines is in the low 70’s. Perfect for a run through our favorite city.
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Yes! We’re proud to partner with the Girls on the Run of Central Iowa. A donation can be made here.
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Of course! However, men will not be eligible for awards but will be recognized for their achievements.
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Our 5K, 10K, and Team Relay events do not have an age limit so long as all athletes are deemed physically capable to run by a medical professional.
Our Half Marathon requires athletes to be 12 or over to compete.
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Yes! We partner with the newly renovated Renaissance Savery Des Moines to deliver a downtown boutique hotel experience at a great value.
2027 Dates + Details to be announced
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Pack your ponchos! Rain or shine the event will happen. If there is unsafe weather, we will work with the Des Moines police to monitor the situation and keep you informed.
We most definitely want to ensure each athlete gets to experience the DSMWHM but we will make sure that the safety of the athletes, volunteers, staff and city officials is the number one priority. Stay connected to our Instagram, Facebook and your email for any weather updates.
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RipRoar Events is a Des Moines based event production company. We carefully choose events that are empowering and impactful on our community and strive to produce events at the absolute highest level.
Other events we produce include: EMC DAM to DSM, The Des Moines Turkey Trot, and RipRoar Kid’s Triathlon Series.
Learn more about RipRoar Events here
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Dogs are not allowed on the race course unless previously verified as a service dog with RipRoar Race staff.
However, dogs are allowed at Jasper Winery. -
5K : Parking will be located on the south side of Jasper Winery. George Flagg Parkway (road north of Jasper) will be closed after 3:00 PM on Saturday. All traffic will need to enter Water Works Park from Fleur Dr. and follow the Event staff’s instructions.
Half Marathon + 10K + Team Relay : Parking is located at the Bell Avenue Business Center at 1901 Bell Ave, Des Moines. It is a 20-minute walk to the Finish Line at Jasper Winery. Shuttles will be available to take between both locations on race day starting at 6:30 a.m and last shuttle leaving Jasper at 12:25 p.m.
Spectators: Bell Avenue Business Center
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We encourage packing a blanket, ID, cash (if you have others with you that might be hungry and aren’t registered), phone—because you will definitely want to document the awesomeness your friends that foolishly chose to stay home miss out on, and layers—it’s Iowa.
The party will be held at Jasper Winery but there will be easy access to Gray’s Lake from the parking location at Bell Avenue Business Center by using shuttle buses.
race info
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After 10 years, we've retired the Team Relay portion of this event. In 2022, we introduced our first Des Moines Women's 10K, and over time we've seen a growing share of our relay runners choose to take on that distance instead. We'll miss the two fun-filled relay exchange zones on course, but we're excited to reinvest those resources into making race morning even smoother for every athlete on the start line.
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For the Des Moines Girl 5K we have a 1 hour and 20 minute cut-off from the start of the race.
For the Half Marathon our cut-off time is 4 hours 30 minutes which roughly 20 minutes per mile.
Please Note: All half marathon athletes must be through mile 9.5 before 11:30 AM. If an athlete has not reached the 9.5-mile mark by this time, they will be re-rerouted back to the winery.
There are a number of women who choose to walk, so you'll be in good company! It's important that we keep that cut-off in place so we can re-open roads and continue to be good stewards of our community.
If you are worried about making a time cut off due to training we can switch your event to the 10K route (same day, same start time.) No Sweat!
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Yes! We will have a gear check for our Sunday races.
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You will be running on either clearly marked closed roads or trails for the entirety of each distance along with aid stations, course entertainment, and volunteers.
Aid stations are marked on the official course map.
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Yes! We have pacers for the following finish times in the half marathon: 1:30 / 1:45 / 2:00 / 2:15 / 2:30 / 2:45
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HALF MARATHON :
Top 5 Women Overall (Bottle of Award Wine & Award Wine Glass, must be 21+)
Top 3 Women of Age Groups (Bottle of Award Wine, must be 21+)
10K :
Top 3 Women Overall (Bottle of Award Wine, must be 21+)
Top 3 Women of Age Groups (Award Winner Glass)
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19 & Under
20 - 24
25 - 29
30 - 34
35 - 39
40 - 44
45 - 49
50 - 54
55 - 59
60 - 64
65 - 69
70 - 74
75 +
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Yes, there will be an award ceremony both days for Saturday and Sunday events. (Times are subject to change and will notify in-person over race announcements.)
Saturday 5K Award Ceremony : 6:00 PM
Sunday Half Marathon, 10K : 10:30 AM
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Overall awards and placings are based on gun time. Age group awards are based on net/chip time.
If you are gunning for an Overall Award be sure to line up in the front row or as close as possible.
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If you have questions about the race results, please contact our timing company, TrueTime Racing.
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We only hand out one bib to all athletes who participate in a Double event. If you lose or forget your bib from Saturday to Sunday, you will need to revisit our Packet Pick Up to be reassigned a new bib.
registration info
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We do not allow race transfers between people. If you’re no longer able to attend the event we suggest switching to our “virtual event” and claim your race swag.
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Of course! Use the steps listed below for “transferring event” to switch between distances.
For race week, all transfers must happen in person during packet pick up hours.
Go to www.runsignup.com and log in to your profile
Click “My Profile” in the top right corner of the screen
Find the ‘Des Moines Women’s Half’ from your “upcoming events” and click “manage registration.”
Along the top navigation bar choose “transfer event”
Click “start transfer” and complete the registration.
The deadline to have your swag shipped is April 15, 2027. If you sign up or transfer to virtual after April 15th you may not receive your swag before the in-person race weekend unless picked up in-person.
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If it’s race week - you will need to make the change in-person at packet pick up or make arrangements for shipping after the event, please email info@riproarevents.com.
If it is before race week, please follow the instructions below :
*Please Note - Any athlete who switches from in-person to virtual after April 26th is expected to pick up their race packet in-person during our race week packet pick up hours or at the post race packet pick up prior to race weekend.
Go to www.runsignup.com and log in to your profile
Click “My Profile” in the top right corner of the screen
Find the ‘Des Moines Women’s Half’ from your “upcoming events” and click “manage registration.”
Along the top navigation bar choose “transfer event”
Click “start transfer” and complete the registration.
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Due to restrictions on our registration site, you will only be able to select one size for apparel when you register.
*We recommend choosing the size you want for your t-shirt.
i.e. If you participate in the 5K + Half Marathon Double event, if you choose a Women’s Medium Tshirt you will then receive a Unisex Medium Jacket.
The windbreaker is sized as Unisex and will have a longer, looser fit.
packet pick up info
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Saturday, May 1st (5K Race Day) : 9:30 AM - 4:45 PM @ Jasper Winery (If racing Sunday, please try to beat the 5K traffic and pick up your packet before 3:00 PM)
Sunday, May 2nd (Race Day) : 6:30am - 7:30am @ Jasper Winery
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Have access to your confirmation email, or have it printed out and bring it with you. Please have your race waiver signed before picking up your packet.
If you are picking up for others be sure to have proof of their race registration + their race waiver MUST be signed.
Instructions on how to sign your Race Waiver here
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Yes! Have a screenshot of their confirmation email with QR code or a printed out copy of confirmation email. You will be asked to leave your name and phone number in the case of a mix up.
All race waivers MUST be signed in order to leave with any and all race packets. You can check the status of your race waiver by signing into your RunSignUp Profile.
Instructions on how to sign your Race Waiver here
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All of our classes are drop-in, EXCEPT for our spin classes. Please pre-register if you plan to participate in a spin class.
*2027 Classes TBD