This was my 4th visit to Indy, my second time running the full. I have been on a pacing streak and when the opportunity came for me to apply to join the pace team for this race, I thought what better way to celebrate my 10th full by helping others run 26.2?! I drove into Indy from Chicago with a friend who was running the half. It’s a short 3.5 hour drive from the Windy City. For this race we had been alerted that traffic may be jammed since president Trump was coming into town for a campaign rally. Luckily we didn’t experience mulch traffic. The convention center parking is easy in/out and you must pick up your bib at Expo, it is open until 8pm on Friday night and we had no issues picking up bibs and still had time to do some light shopping. I was thrilled to see the pace team also would be wearing bright orange shirts this year, I stopped by table to meet the team & hear final directions for
Race day. There was a pasta dinner tickets offered, but we opted to leave Downtown to have a spaghetti dinner with friends we were staying with in zionsville (just30min outside of Indy). Race day morning, traffic driving in was light, it was cool 37 degrees, set to warm up to high of 55 and sunshine, perfect running weather! The pace team met at Westin between 7:15-7:30am to get signs and stay warm—there is a hidden bathroom on second floor at hotel where lines were short so much better than waiting for the blue porta potties. Just 1 block down from hotel was gear check, friendly volunteers greeted runners taking their belongings. I made my way to the corrals, there were 5 waves. For 5:30 pace I was in wave 4. I found my tribe and we exchanged names chatted before national anthem then within minutes following the mayor of Indy counted down and we were off. We crossed the start line around 8:20 (race start was 8am). On the sightseeing tour of Indy we passed attractions such as Lucas oil stadium, butler university, state fairgrounds & the infamous soldier and sailor monument circle. There was tons of support on the course, I loved running the neighborhoods seeing Halloween/Fall decorations and the foliage was gorgeous with autum colors. Locals were handing out leftover Halloween candy while the college kids offered beer & shots. For most part this course is relatively flat, I only remember maybe 3 “hills” and the last stretch down meridian street has zero shade. Highly recommend sunclasses/visor/hat if there is any chance of sun forecasted. Marathon photo was taking picture on course & finish line. As I came across I heard my name announced, thermal foil capes and medals handed out as well as colored beanies—I have kept all my beanies from every monumental race. Pizza for finishers, massage tent and race merchandise store followed the post race snacks: fruit plates, chocolate chip cookies, lays chips, cliff bars& chocolate milk. Additional pizza slices available for $2, however the later finishers I saw volunteers handing extra slices to anyone wanting them. Side note: massage tent closed before we could get in, would like to see that extended longer or foam rollers stretching area available. This year 2018 was first in series of 4 medals for a special case/holder so I think I’ll be back for a 3-PEAT and was invited by pace leader to pace again. Great Course—BQ Certified, lots of PRs have been made here—you need to come experience Indy in person!

Early October in Illinois weather can be wet and cold, I was invited to pace the 2:20 finishers for All Community Events. For their events you can pay to have your bib mailed ahead of time or before race day pick up is at road runner store nearby. I opted for day Of race pick up since it’s always been an easy process. One day before event we did receive a notice that the medals were held up In customs and they would have to mail them. I was ok with this, but what a blow for all those first timers—knowing they would not receive that medal at the finish! Parking lot near start line did fill up quick, so I had to park in high school remote lot which was a 5-7 min walk away. Still I had time to pick up my race shirt & pacing sign—walk to car to deposit my goodie bag and make it back to start line ahead of race start. Beginning of this race it looked overcast, but as the gun went off to start the sun came out. By mile 2 clouds came back and it stayed overcast rest of the race. Pavement & grass was wet from overnight rain, we had to alert runners to muddy/slippery conditions. We did run on roads next to traffic & through some “trail” sessions. We found that the second half of the course the water stops were spread thin, but the neighborhood kids were handing out water bottles which was really nice! The last section of the course was a bit challenging single file through wet grass& slight hill incline. However the support and cheers from the finish line & volunteers coming in was invigorating! It felt a bit strange to come across finish without a greeter to had you a medal. All that was left for post race snacks was granola bars, oatmeal squeeze & boxed water. Attendance seemed to be thin at this one, it was day before chicago marathon. I’m not sure I’d pay to return to
This race again without being a pacer. However, if you enjoy fall foliage & looking to run in a historic town north of chicago this is an easy to get to event with a few rilling hills.