FAQ

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.

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, 2024. 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.

The average high temperature for early May in Des Moines is in the low 70’s. Perfect for a run through our favorite city.

Yes! We’re proud to partner with the Girls on the Run of Central Iowa. A donation can be made here.

Of course! However, men will not be eligible for awards but will be recognized for their achievements.

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.

Yes! We partner with the newly renovated Renaissance Savery Des Moines to deliver a downtown boutique hotel experience at a great value.

Room blocks are now available! Book your group rate for Des Moines Women's Half Marathon! Rooms are available Friday, May 3 - Monday, May 6, 2024. The last day to book is Friday, April 12, 2024.

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.

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.

Sizing for the 2024 Quarter Zip will be available soon.

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.

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.

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.

1. Go to www.runsignup.com and log in to your profile

2. Click “My Profile” in the top right corner of the screen

3. Find the ‘Des Moines Women’s Half’ from your “upcoming events” and click “manage registration.”

4. Along the top navigation bar choose “transfer event”

5. Click “start transfer” and complete the registration.

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 with Sarah.

If it is before race week, please follow the instructions below :

*Please Note - Any athlete who switches from in-person to virtual after May 15th 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.

1. Go to www.runsignup.com and log in to your profile

2. Click “My Profile” in the top right corner of the screen

3. Find the ‘Des Moines Women’s Half’ from your “upcoming events” and click “manage registration.”

4. Along the top navigation bar choose “transfer event”

5. Click “start transfer” and complete the registration.

Half Marathon

Team Relay

10K

5K

Everything is more fun as a team. We’ve split the half-marathon into 3 sections (about 4-5 miles each) so that you and your closest friends can conquer 13.1 miles without having to run each step yourself.

Athletes register as a team and then as members 1, 2 and 3.

The relay exchange zones have music, other team members to socialize with and each team goes home with the half marathon swag and 3 medals (one for each athlete).

Check out the Team Relay page for more race details.

*Please note : only all female teams are eligible to receive awards in the Team Relay category (even if emergency substitution is needed on race day.)

We have a 1 hour and 20 minute cut-off for the 5k from the start of the race.

Of course! Our cut-off time is 4 hours 30 minutes which roughly 20 minutes per mile.

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!

5K : 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 Start/Finish Line at Jasper Winery. Shuttles will be available to take between both locations on race day starting at 6:15 a.m and last shuttle leaving Jasper at 12:45 p.m.

We recommend carpooling with Team Members.

There will be gear check available on Sunday only inside of Jasper Winery.

Absolutely. The Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) sets standards for training and sports settings that prevent abuse and misconduct.

MAAPP helps young athletes be safe, supported, and strengthened by limiting one-on-interactions, ensuring proper training, and increasing accountability.

To view USATF’s MAAP policies among USATF’s additional Safe Sport policies, click here.

To find the U.S. Center for SafeSport’s MAAPP one-pagers, trainings, and other resources, click here.

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.

2023 In-Person Race Results

2023 Virtual Race Results

If you have questions about the race results, please contact our timing company, TrueTime Racing.

HALF MARATHON : Top 5 Women Overall + Top 3 Women of Age Groups

Top 5 Overall will receive a bottle of wine (must be 21+) + Award Wine glass.

Top 3 of Each Age Group will receive a bottle of Award Wine. Must be 21+

19 & Under (Will receive Award glass)

20 - 24

25 - 29

30 - 34

35 - 39

40 - 44

45 - 49

50 - 54

55 - 59

60 - 64

65+

10K : Top 3 Women Overall (Bottle of Award Wine (must be 21+) + Top 3 Women of Age Groups (Award Winner Glass)

Top 3 of Each Age Group will receive an Award Winner glass

19 & Under

20 - 24

25 - 29

30 - 34

35 - 39

40 - 44

45 - 49

50 - 54

55 - 59

60 - 64

65+

5K : Top 3 Women Overall (Bottle of Award Wine. Must be 21+) No Age Group Awards.

TEAM RELAY : Top 3 Women Overall Teams (Bottle of Award Wine for all team members. Must be 21+) No Age Group Awards. Awards will not be given to co-ed teams.)

Saturday, May 4th (5K Race Day) : 10:00am - 4:30pm @ Jasper Winery (If racing Sunday, please try to beat the 5K traffic and pick up your packet before 2:30 PM)

Sunday, May 5th (Race Day) : 6:30am - 7:30am @ Jasper Winery

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.

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 Run SignUp Profile.

Our volunteers make the world go ‘round! Volunteer shifts are available starting Saturday, May 4th - Sunday, May 5th. Must be the 12+ years old (some shifts may have age restrictions.) Hours are eligible for Silver Chord.

Check out Volunteer opportunities here.

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.