Some 11,000 runners will be on the streets of Central Iowa on Saturday morning for the Dam-to-Dam run. The annual event features a 20K race that begins at Saylorville Lake and finishes in downtown Des Moines. It also includes a 5K and a youth run.
Kurt Schaeffer, who directs an event, says it’s the 33rd year that started with 1,000 racers and now they cap the 8k at 8,000 racers and the 20k at 3,000. Schaeffer says the event is as well known for its post event party as the race itself.
“We provide free food and beverages from our sponsors to the runners and it’s just a good time to hang around and socialize with other members of the community from Iowa, as well as states outside Iowa,” Schaeffer says.
Schaeffer says while there is always a good contingent of competitive runners the event is popular with the recreational runners who are out to test themselves. He says it is a fun and easy course that goes from the Saylorville Dam through the countryside to Des Moines.
Schaeffer says the finish line in downtown Des Moines has been moved this year to the Western Gateway Park to give the runners more room.