Good morning, Des Moines! 🌅 This is DSM at Dawn, where there will be no marathon running this weekend.

In todays issue:

• 🏃‍♂️ IMT Des Moines Marathon

• Gray’s Station 🏡 

• 🦓 Zoo Upgrades

And we’re off.

— Nick Rivas

Marathon Day 🏃 

The IMT Des Moines Marathon began in 2002, born out of a desire to promote health, wellness, and a sense of community in Des Moines. It quickly became a key event in the city's sports calendar, offering a full marathon, half marathon, relay, 5K, and a children's run. The marathon has gained a reputation as one of Iowa's top races, featuring flat, fast courses that appeal to runners of all levels, including those aiming for a Boston Marathon qualification. Beyond fitness, the event fosters a positive image of Des Moines as a vibrant place to live and work.

This year’s IMT Des Moines Marathon, scheduled for this Sunday, continues the tradition of offering multiple race distances and is expected to draw thousands of participants from across the region. The 2024 edition will feature signature events such as the full marathon, half marathon, and the popular Bankers Trust Marathon Relay. The race routes showcase the city's scenic parks and neighborhoods, providing an enjoyable experience for both elite and recreational runners. The marathon also emphasizes a strong community focus, with the MercyOne Children’s Hospital Kids Run providing a free, family-friendly event for young runners.

In addition to promoting fitness, the IMT Des Moines Marathon also plays a role in supporting charitable causes. The primary beneficiary is the Children’s Cancer Connection, with annual donations helping fund vital programs for children and families affected by cancer. Whether participants are running to achieve a personal goal, qualify for the Boston Marathon, or simply to enjoy the event's atmosphere, the marathon is a significant celebration of health, community, and giving back.

THE ROUNDUP 🧵📱

Gray’s Station 🏘️ 

Gray’s Station in Des Moines is set for a significant expansion with the development of 800 additional housing units. This will be a mix of apartments and single-family homes, continuing the rapid growth in this urban neighborhood just south of Downtown. The new units will enhance the area’s appeal to residents seeking proximity to downtown while offering a variety of housing options.

The project, led by Hubbell Realty Co., aims to build on the success of earlier phases. It will feature green spaces and connections to the city’s trails, making it a key development in Des Moines' evolving urban landscape.

Blank Park Zoo 🦓 

Blank Park Zoo will undergo an $18.1 million improvement project, including a new lion habitat and an exhibit called Wild Iowa, featuring eagles, river otters, and bobcats. The lion exhibit will be relocated and expanded, offering an interactive viewing experience, while the zoo will also introduce water conservation efforts by producing salt water for its sea lion and otter pools, reducing water use significantly.

The upgrades, expected to be completed by 2026, will also include new platforms for viewing the lions, improvements to the butterfly sensory garden, and expansions to other animal habitats. About 70% of the funds have been raised for the project.

Around Town 🏙️📈

In this section, I am going to highlight a local business, restaurant, or non-profit. This week, we tried out a new pizza shop in Grimes.

Pepp’s Pizzaria 🍕 

Introducing Pepp’s Pizzaria. Located in Grimes, Pepp’s is home to the Upside Down Pizza, with the sauce sitting on top of the cheese. Named to honor “Pepp”, a pizza aficionada and “home chef hobbyist”, the commitment is simple: “to serve our version of the perfect slice and offer you a reason to get the same enjoyment out of the pizza the way everyone who enjoyed Pepp’s did, and still does today.”

Pepp’s serves 200 full pizzas a day. This cap allows them to focus on quality and consistancy without the kitchen staff getting overwhelmed. They have a small space and want to provide each and every customer with the best pizza possible.

Pepp’s is takeout only. Order online here and enjoy some of the best pizza DSM has to offer.

@DSMATDAWN 📷

Photo Cred: @the_fletcher_foundation

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WHAT TO DO 🚨🏁

Movimiento

Hoyt Sherman Place is hosting Ballet Des Moines this Saturday evening for a powerful celebration of the rich diversity, nuance, and sophistication of cutting edge LatinX and Afro-Caribbean artists. Tickets can be purchased on ticketmaster.

Apple Days

Apple Days is back at Chocolate Storybook in WDM all weekend. You will find over 20 delicious varieties of handcrafted gourmet chocolate caramel apples. Apples can also be ordered online here.

Rose Farm Fall Festival

Rose Farm in Norwalk will be celebrating the beautiful autumn season this Saturday from 3-6. Enjoy live music from Brian Dougherty, as well as food, drinks, and pumpkin painting. Purchase tickets here for this adult only event.

Little Giant Beer Summit

Come out to El Bait Shop for the 12 annual beer summit. Admission is free and there will be punch cards available for purchase to sample Iowa made beverages from many craft breweries, cideries, and meaderies.

Highland Happening

This 2nd annual event is taking place in Highland Park this Sunday in the back parking lot of Divine Times Vintage. There will be over 30 vendors with food trucks and fun happenings throughout the neighborhood.

WEATHER   🌞 🌡️

Weather Beacon: 🔴 Warmer Weather Ahead

Thursday

High70 | Low 49 | Windy 🌬️ 

Friday

High 73 | Low 46 | Partly Cloudy 🌤️

Saturday

High 75 | Low 51 | Partly Cloudy 🌤️

Sunday

High 77 | Low 51 | Sunny ☀️

MUSIC SCENE 🎶🎤

Thursday

Daniel Nunnelee | 7 | xBk Live

Friday

Ducharme-Jones Band | 7 | Captain Roy’s
Stephen Wilson Jr | 8 | Wooly’s

Saturday

Seether & Skillet | 6 | Vibrant Music Hall
Malcom Wells & The Two Timers | 7 | Captain Roy’s
The Psychedelic Furs & The Jesus and Mary Chain | 7 | Val Air Ballroom
Alabama | 7 | Wells Fargo Arena

Sunday

Marco Flores | 9 | Val Air Ballroom

SPORTS 🏈🏅

Football 🏈

All four local teams are in action this week.

• Drake 🐶 @ Presbyterian | 10/19 | 12

• UNI 🐆 @ North Dakota | 10/19 | 1

• Iowa 🦅 @ Michigan State | 10/19 | 6:30

• UCF @ Iowa State 🌪️ | 10/19 | 6:30

Hockey 🏒 

Bucs

• Vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | 10/18 | 7

• Vs Dubuque Fighting Saints | 10/19 | 6

Iowa Wild

• @ San Jose Barracuda | 10/19 | 9

• @ San Jose Barracuda | 10/20 | 5

THANK YOU! 🙌 

Thank you for reading DSM at Dawn.

I would love your feedback! You can respond directly to this email with any comments, recommendations, or ideas.

P.S. If you, or anyone you know, would like to sponsor a future edition of The Dawn, please contact me at [email protected] or respond directly to this email.