FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the Indianapolis Marathon a Boston Marathon Qualifier?

Absolutely! This is one of the reasons the race was started 15 years ago. The 2010 Indianapolis Marathon is a qualifier for both the 2011 and 2012 Boston Marathons. All courses are USATF Certified and the races are Sanctioned by USATF.

Who puts on the event?

The event is put on by the Indianapolis Marathon Road Runners Club. This is a 501.c.3 non-profit organization that is a member club of Road Runners of America (RRCA). We are also a member club of USATF. Who are we ... we are a family and friends who have a desire to serve runners, walkers, and our community by putting on a fun, safe, and scenic event that is a good value to participants and a positive event for our community. We strive hard to please the participants by offering a well organized and friendly event!

Is there a benefiting charity?

Proceeds from the event go to many local charities with our main benefiting charity being KIDS Inc. KIDS Inc. is a wonderful 501.c.3 non-profit charity that works with youth in the near southeast side of Indianapolis. We are happy to support their efforts. There are also a number of other charities that partner with this event to raise money for their worthy causes! Last year this event helped to raise over $100,000 for charities! For more information click here to go to the Charities page.

Is the Indianapolis Marathon and Half Marathon walker friendly?

Yes.

Are there time limits for the courses?

The Marathon and Half Marathon courses will remain open and supported for all participants maintaining the following paces: Half Marathon 17 minutes per mile, and Full Marathon 15 minutes per mile. In addition, there will also be an 8 minute “grace period” to allow everyone this extra time to get across the starting line. This works out to finishing time limits of 3 hours 51 minutes for the Half Marathon and 6 hours 41 minutes for the Full Marathon. To ensure the safety of all participants, any participant not maintaining this pace will be asked to retire from the event and be taken back to the race site on an event vehicle.

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Can I start early?

No. Due to insurance reasons and agreements with the local law enforcement agencies, there can be no early starting times.

What time zone is Indianapolis on?

Eastern Daylight Savings. Indianapolis is on the same time as New York City. Indianapolis is one hour ahead of Chicago.

Are there Wheelchair and Handcycling divisions?

Yes – but please read the course information pertaining to Wheelchair and Handcycle participants. Please indicate if you are a Wheelchair or Handcycle participant when you register. Click here for more information for Wheelchair and Handcycling participants.

Can I push my toddler/baby in a stroller?

No. Insurance requirements strictly forbid strollers in the event. Exception: strollers will be allowed in the 5K, but they must line up at the back of the field.

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Can I run with my dog?

No. Insurance requirements strictly forbid animals in the event.

Can I get a refund if something comes up after I register?

Sorry – no refunds.

Can I switch events?

Yes – but please contact us in advance of your desire to change events. Please don’t wait until the last minute as you run the chance of the change not getting into the computer in time!

Can I register on race weekend?

We will offer race weekend registration only if the field has not filled. You are responsible for checking the website or the information phone line (317.826.1670) to see if the race is filled prior to coming to the race site on race weekend. We filled for the first time in 2007. Please note that late fees apply if we are still taking race weekend entries.

When and where is packet pickup?

Packet pickup will be held on Friday, October 15th from 11:00am – 9:00pm at the Benjamin Harrison YMCA, 5736 Lee Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216. There will also be a short time on Saturday morning, Saturday, October 16th from 6:30am – 7:30am at the Sterrett Senior Center, 8950 Otis Avenue, Indianapolis 46216.

Do you have an Expo?

Yes. We have an expo during packet pickup on Friday from 11:00am - 8:00pm also at the Benjamin Harrison YMCA, 5736 Lee Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46216. The Expo ends one hour before packet pickup ends.

Do I have to pay for parking?

No! There is an abundance of FREE PARKING. On Friday, park in the Benjamin Harrison YMCA lot for free. Race Day parking on Saturday morning will be at the enormous parking lot at the Emmett J. Bean Center as well as at other parking lots around the race site area. These lots will be within approximately 2-8 blocks from the race site so please plan accordingly and ARRIVE EARLY! All participants should plan on being at the race site and parked by 7:30am. Roads will begin closing down shortly after which will make arrival after 7:30am difficult.

Do you have Shuttles to the Race Site?

Yes! Due to participant feedback on our 2009 post-race survey, we will be offering round-trip shuttle tickets from Community North Hospital (southeast parking lot) to the Race Site for a small fee of $5 per rider. To get to the shuttle parking lot, enter the Community North Hospital grounds from 82nd turning south onto Clear Vista Parkway, and follow Clear Vista Parkway until it makes a right hand curve at the Southwest corner of the campus. Shuttle tickets must be purchased in advance and are available for purchase with your entry. The Community North Hospital shuttle parking lot is located approximately ¾ mile from the Hilton Inn (our host hotel) and the Drury Inn. We will have 600 shuttle tickets available being sold on a first-come basis. There will be 300 tickets available for shuttles leaving at 6:40am, and 300 tickets available for shuttles leaving at 7:20am.

Can I have someone pick up my race packet?

Yes, but they need to have your post card confirmation or an email from you giving them permission to pick up your packet. They need to bring this to packet pickup to be able to pick up your packet.

Will I get a T-shirt?

Yes. All participants receive a long-sleeved full color event T-shirt!

Can I change my shirt size?

Prior to packet pickup – yes. Please send an email to RD@IndianapolisMarathon.com with the T-shirt size change information.

At packet pickup – you will need to take the shirt size that you selected so that another participant does not get shorted their size. After the race, you will have an opportunity to trade shirt sizes at the race site information tent.

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Will I get a finisher’s medal?

All participants who finish the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, and 5K will receive a finisher’s medal. Each member of the relay team will receive their own medal.

Is the course hilly?

Hilly is relative. Some say very hilly, some say fairly flat. It depends on your frame of reference. Please click here to find a course map, a course description, and a course elevation chart. There is a hill on Boy Scout Road just prior to mile 3, and a significant hill in the Fort Harrison State Park on the beautiful paved running path just past mile 10. For those competing in the Full Marathon, there is a long gradual down-hill in Fort Harrison State Park at mile 13. This same hill is a long gradual up-hill near mile 25 in the State Park. The rest of the course is basically flat.

How can I check to verify my entry?

Three ways:
If you enter online (the preferred way to register), you will get an instant email confirmation.

If you enter by mail, your cashed check will be your confirmation.

All entries (online and mail-in) will be posted on the website at www.indianapolismarathon.com. Furthermore – anyone registered by October 1 will receive a confirmation postcard in the mail.

What kind of fluid replacement will you have?

Water will be provided at 21 aid stations along the course as well as at the finish line. Gatorade will be provided at 19 aid stations along the course as well as at the finish line.

Will there be energy gel on the course?

Yes, Energy Gel will be available on course at miles 17 and 21 of the Full Marathon.

Is there food at the finish?

Don’t miss it! Our benefiting charity KIDS Inc. hosts a post-race cookout right near the finish line. Complete with burgers, brats, and sides dishes. We will also have veggie selections for those of you who don’t eat meat.

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Will there be finish line photographs?

Yes – Brightroom Photography will be back again in 2010 taking pictures on the course and at the finish line. You'll be contacted by Brightroom Photography by email after the race with ordering information.

Where can I see results?

Click here to view the results. They should be online directly after the event.

What is the hardest part of putting on a race like this?

Very kind of you to ask! Thanks. Two things:

1. Volunteers. We are looking for groups of 10 or more to volunteer for the event. We need these volunteer groups to support areas such as aid stations, packet pickup, finish line, course marshals, course setup / tear-down, etc.

Want to combine a fun group activity and fundraiser for your church or school group, scout troop, alumni group, or other organization? We will make a $100 donation to your volunteer group of 10 or more people. We will make a $200 donation to your volunteer group of 20 people. Please contact us at RD@IndianpaolisMarathon.com..

2. Sponsors. Surprise, surprise. If you are interested in partnering with this event as a sponsor, please contact us! There are many opportunities for positive exposure for your company or organization! Click here for more sponsorship information and applications.

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