The ninth annual Carmel Marathon, which has grown to be Indiana’s second largest marathon and Carmel’s largest running event, is scheduled for Saturday, March 30. The event, owned and operated by CRRG Events of Carmel, includes a marathon, the Drewry Simmons & Vorhemn half marathon, the Indiana Spine Group 10K, the Indiana Members Credit Union 5K and a marathon relay.
The date change moved the event to Spring Break weekend, produced multiple benefits including less traffic congestion from residents being out of town and increasing economic impact during a typically slow week for retailers. The Board of Public Works and Safety made the decision to move the date at its September 2018 meeting. The board also approved the future dates of Saturday, April 4, 2020 and Saturday, April 3, 2021.
“We are excited to have our dates set for the Carmel Marathon Weekend for the next three years and appreciate the willingness of the City of Carmel to allow us to continue the event,” said CRRG Events President and Race Director Todd Oliver. “Having a major marathon in a city offers a number of positive benefits to that community, including increased revenue, positive exposure and an overall increased focus on health and wellness. We are proud to bring runners from all over the country and world here to Carmel.”
New race distance
One of the major changes for this year’s event is the addition of the Indiana Spine Group 10K, which is taking the place of the 8K race. Race organizers opted to change the race distance because of the growing popularity of the 10K among runners both locally and nationally. The 10K is one of the two fastest growing race distances in the United States and aligns well with training plans of later spring races.
In addition, the change from the 8K to the 10K offers increased safety to race participants. The previous 8K course took runners onto Keystone Avenue, which has experienced increased traffic in recent years. The new 10K course stays away from busy streets and more uses the same final mile of the half marathon and marathon course.
In addition, the marathon event distance has been awarded the 2019 State Championship race designation by the Road Runners Club of America (RCCA), the largest running-based membership organization in the United States.
Official charity named
Carmel-based CRRG Events has announced the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide (ICPYAS) as the Official Charity for the 2019 Carmel Marathon Weekend.
ICPYAS, formerly known as Chaucie’s Place, focuses on the prevention of youth abuse and suicide across Indiana. As the Official Charity, ICPYAS will receive a variety of benefits including a cash donation that will underwrite the cost of in-school programming in seven new schools outside of Hamilton County.
“We are honored to be partnered with this year’s Carmel Marathon Weekend, and are eager to spread the word about our mission here at the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide,” said ICPYAS Executive Director Melissa Peregrin. “This partnership will enable us to start programs in seven additional Indiana schools in 2019, helping us take our message of hope to that many more Indiana children.”
The ICPYAS recently changed its name to better reflect the increased need throughout the state of Indiana for the important work the organization is doing in the area of teen suicide prevention. The organization has expanded its reach beyond Hamilton County and the new name and branding reflects the broader vision that will impact youth across the state.
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to partner with an organization doing such vital work for our state’s youth,” said Carmel Marathon Race Director Todd Oliver. “Our team works year-round to promote healthy lives through fitness and we feel that a partnership with an organization promoting healthy lives in youth through mental health is a natural fit.”
To learn more about the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide visit indianaprevention.org.
More information
The Carmel Marathon Weekend courses were all designed to highlight the vibrant Carmel community, with the start and finish of all races taking place at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, one of the focal points of the Carmel Arts and Design District. All events start at 8 a.m. and utilize the same start and finish lines, giving spectators the opportunity to see their friends and family start and finish without leaving the area.
Last year’s Carmel Marathon saw a record number of participants, with runners joining the field from 42 states and five countries. The event has seen a steady increase in participants since its inception and race organizers expect to see its numbers and attraction among runners continue to rise. More than 500 volunteers from more than 50 charitable groups help bring the event to life.
To register or volunteer for the Carmel Marathon Weekend, visit CarmelMarathon.com.