Downtown Des Moines street named in honor of annual Grand Blue Mile runners

Virginia Barreda, Des Moines Register
Updated ·1 min read
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A street in downtown Des Moines will honorarily be renamed to recognize potential record-breaking times set at the annual Grand Blue Mile road race.

Race organizers asked the Des Moines City Council to name 13th Street between Grand Avenue and Locust Street as "World Record Way." It will mark the finish line where two participants possibly broke two world records during the race in April, according to documents with the City Council agenda.

Runners participate in the recreational division of the 14th Annual Grand Blue Mile, Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
Runners participate in the recreational division of the 14th Annual Grand Blue Mile, Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

Created by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Drake Relays, the walk/run event is meant to encourage healthy habits and empower positive change, according to the race's website. The event has been held since 2010 and has hosted more than 40,000 participants from 36 states, six countries and four continents. Professionals and amateurs race during the annual event.

Two American athletes, Sam Prakel and Nikki Hiltz, with times of 4:02 and 4:28, respectively, likely broke records on April 25, when the Grand Blue Mile was last held, Blake Boldon, Drake University's senior associate athletics director and Drake Relays director, said in a letter to the City Council. The two participants' times are pending ratification from World Athletics, which will begin its review Sept. 1.

More: Grand Blue Mile winner Nikki Hiltz preaches authenticity, visibility at Drake Relays

Honorarily renaming the street will recognize the "historical significance of these achievements and the pride it brings to our city," Boldon said in the letter. "This designation would serve to celebrate the proud legacy of the Grand Blue Mile and cement Downtown Des Moines as the place where history was — and will continue to be — made."

Council members voted to approve the request at Monday night's meeting.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the street will still be 13th Street but there also will be an honorary designation of "World Record Day."

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Downtown Des Moines street named for Grand Blue Mile runners