Indianapolis Mini-Marathon

seriously, why is this not one of the great races? i was considering running it next year. thanks for the heads up on the field filling up quickly.

I've done the race before. It is actually a decent race. The course is very flat--except for the hills in and out of the speedway. Running on the speedway is a cool experience (but I hated it the year I did it because I was falling apart at the time). Crowd support is so-so--really good in some places, scarce in others. It's easy to get a start in a front corral, thus making the start relatively pleasant. It can be a bit windy or hot, but May in the midwest is very random weather wise.

Anyway, I would suggest doing it if you want to run a decent half. There are people to run with at most speeds, and the organization is very good.

I've run it three times and it's a fun race, but it's really crowded, and unless you have a seeded number (they aren't hard to get) you can't really get into much of a groove because the streets are for the most part narrow (as is the warm-up lane at the Speedway). If you get caught a little further back there's a lot of uneven pacing because of the congestion, which never really goes away until after the Speedway, which is past the half-way mark.

If you get up front for a clean start, the course is pankake flat and insanely fast, that's the biggest plus. Weather can be a crapshoot, though.

I used to live there, so for me it's just a great reason to go back and see the city again. But there are some drawbacks, and while I'm not going to be a brutal as indyite, he does highlight a couple of things that I don't like about the race, too

And speaking of Kennedy, has anybody been to his running store? It's decent, but the memorabilia he has in there is definitely worth the trip.

I live in Indy. I've been to Bob's store quite a few times. He's gone way out his way to help the local running community and it shows. The turkey trot from his place pulled in 1,000 people or more last week. They've got training runs daily for people who care to show up (I've never been). He sponsored a track series this last summer, has 2-mile time trial runs, etc.

As for the mini...I think it sucks. Much of what indyite has written is correct. If you want to be a part of a really big, pageant style race, go for it. If you want to run a fast time, go somewhere else. All too often you train through the winter/spring in cold weather and then you get an 80 degree day, dammit, which ruins your race plan. A couple years ago they moved the start time back an hour which has helped with the weather factor. The race gets more and more popular, though. A few years ago you could wait to sign up until April. Last year it filled in early February. This year it might close by Jan. 1. It will fill at 25,000, but maybe only 21,000 or 22,000 will show up. It's stupid. Most people gallow-walk it, and then wear their shirts around for the next week, proudly boasting that they "ran" the mini (in 3:15). I haven't done it in years and probably will never do it again, but people around here do judge you by whether you run the damn thing or not. UGH!

thanks, atown,

it is interesting how they seed their runners, i noticed that the different levels (1-3) are basicly sub-7, sub-8, and sub-9 minute miles. you must submit proof of results along with entry. the 500th finisher is probably about 1:31:30 (7:00 miles).

if i run i will be coming from a considerable distance (a full day's drive or by air), so i appreciate all the coments by you and others. as for the weather, early may is better than late september as far as i'm considered and the 8am starting time is just fine (if it used to be 9 that would be too late some years but that seems to be a thing of the past anyways).

bill

I always pulled a level 1 seed, which I think was sub 19:00 for the 5k. I'd imagine most could get this. I think it went to 32:30 for 5 miles, 1:30 for the half, etc.

Level 1 seeds had their own pen at the start the last time I did the race (2000). This would be the best place to be. They used to have a split start so you could get up front in either place, but this year they are starting everyone together, so try and get that #1 seed.

Starting time was 9:00 in 2000, and people dropped like flies due to heat. There is VERY LITTLE shade on the course and the track segment (~2.5 miles) is hot as hell. Now the start time is 8:00, but they moved the race back a week this year to the 2nd weekend in May, so the potential for getting a hot day has increased.

Have fun...

I did not mean to make it ound like it was a bad race. It is just like any other race, it has its good points, and it has its bad ones.

It is an extremely well organized race, and they do try to make it fun for the runners as well as their families.

They have decided to more or less reverse the course this year, so I don't know exactly what to tell you about that. They have also gone back to only one start line this year, which I think could be a nightmare. The course will be flat, and there will be plenty of people for you to run with no matter what level you're at. 1:02-1:04 should win it for some Kenyan, and 1:30 should put you in the top 500. The best bit of advice that I can offer is get seeded...it will make your life much easier.

If you're looking for things to do in town, you could go to the NCAA Hall of Champions, which is pretty cool. You should also swing by Bob Kennedy's store if you get the chance. He's in a lot, so you may be able to meet him. From his store, you can pretty much hop right onto he Canal, which is my favorite route in the city,

Over 20,000 people have registered for the Mini-Marathon as of today. It will probably fill up (to the 25,000 limit) soon. Register while you can!

Gawd...they're gonna close it out before Jan. 1 at the rate they are going.

I'm thinking about doing it....I usually train with a couple guys who do it, I do all their training, and more on my own. Then I feel like I've missed out when I hear the war stories....

I just hate signing up for a race 6 months ahead of time. Who knows what will transpire in my life between now and then. I guess it is only $35...

I agree with most of the posts above...it is a race that has drawn the masses who want to feel like they have accomplished something and many use it as a reason to kick start their "getting in shape" resolutions after the 1st of the year. I ran it in 1999 and placed 25th with a 1:12:50 or something, so it isn't ultra competitive up front. I ran alone from mile 7 onward...

The change to a one street start v a split start shouldn't really affect anyone that is in the front pens...you will fight your way through the masses in the pens for the first mile or so and then be out of trouble for the rest of the way. The nightmare will be what happens behind you as it was always the slower runners at the merge between the two streets that had the problems.

I'll be one of those people this year as I'm recovering from ACL reconstruction and after a year of not running at all am using it as a motivation to get back into some sort of shape...

Definitely check out the NCAA Hall of Champions and head in to The Running Company in Broad Ripple...if you have any other Indy questions on things to see or places to stay, drop me a line...

They will be sold out soon, so get in while you can!

I'm an Indiana native who has run both the Indy mini and the KDF half (they are around the same time of year) and I would strongly suggest running KDF instead. It is a beautiful course, fast, and a real runners race instead of an event.

As others have said, the Indy mini is well-attended. It is also decently organized and flat. That said, unless you are a car racing fan, the course is boring as hell. The trip around the race track is hot, the track is steeply banked (which is not a problem as long as you are not a part of the mid-pack), nobody other than runners is allowed on the track to spectate, the rest of the course is through some of the least attractive parts of Indy...

I could go on.

In all fairness, I will say that most of my friends still run the Mini every year, so I certainly do not represent the majority opinion.

I'm sort of in the same boat as you. My best times seem to be behind me due to a large number of injuries from 2001-2003, but I could use a reason to get motivated. I think my half PR is from '99, but that was at the Indy Half, not the mini.

I'll probably sign up for it and try and use it as a motivational tool.

Is there a web sight to this race?

Go to the link belowe, and then select Mini-Marathon from the home page.

As of right now, there are 21,444 registered.

Thanks...

FYI...

There are now over 23,000 registered for the race. It may close by Christmas.

KDF 1/2 is a great race, really consider this race as well. It is only about 6,500 runners (compared to 25,000 in Indy), but is a super race through a nice area of Louisville and is very well organised. It is in late April

Just checked and Indy Mini Marathon is up to 23,254 out of 25,000. If you are planning on running a lap around the track, better sign up quick or you will be sitting out like I did last year.