The Indy Run Down
A monthly roundup of all things running in and around Indianapolis.
I love running, so I’m putting together this list of running related events - races, film premiers, new run clubs, safety talks, seminars, really anything a runner may love. This is shared in the monthly newsletter, “The Huddle”, and on social media @teamaverageathlete.
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The IndyRunDown is powered by Christi Dee of @this_blonde _runs - coach, author, and elite-level cheerleader for runners everywhere. If you’re looking for someone to help you get ready for your next run, reach out to Christi - I did!
October 2026
Thursday, October 1
🥑 Fueling & Nutrition Clinic. 6:00pm at Runners’ Forum in Broad Ripple. Join Kristen Gilkison, PA-C, founder of timbar, for a free clinic covering how nutrition supports energy, performance, recovery and overall wellness.
🦶 Plantar Fasciitis Clinic. 6:00pm at Runners’ Forum in Avon. Got foot pain from running? Chris Jones from Divergent Rehab & Wellness will discuss common causes of plantar fasciitis, prevention and ways to manage it so you can keep moving.
Friday, October 2
🏃 Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben Packet Pickup. Calling all Volunteers! Volunteer with the coolest kid around, Timmy “Hotdog” Howard 😉 Timmy and his team need volunteers to help support our Indy Running Community as they tackle 13.1, 10k and 5k distances. Shifts available Friday, October 2 at Packet Pickup and Race Day, Oct 3 with times from 5:30a-1:30p
Saturday, October 3
🏃 Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben. Half / 10K / 5K ? Kids Mile. 8:00am at Fort Harrison State Park. One of Indy’s signature fall races, with four distances running through historic Fort Ben and Fort Harrison State Park.
🏃 Head for the Cure 5K. 5K / Kids Dash. 8:00am at Eagle Creek Park. Run or walk through Eagle Creek while raising funds and awareness in the fight against brain cancer.
🏃 Hit the Bricks. 5K / 3K Walk. 8:00am at Zionsville Town Hall. A longtime Zionsville tradition featuring a route through downtown and along the Big-4 Rail Trail while supporting local youth programs.
🏃 Battle of the Badges 5K. 5K. 8:00am at the Whitestown Street Department Building. Pick your team—Fire or Police! This family-friendly 5K through Whitestown’s Legacy Core and Big 4 Trail pits the town’s fire and police departments against each other.
🏃 IHM Oktoberfest Fun Run. 5K / 1 Mile. 9:00am at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Indianapolis. Kick off IHM Oktoberfest with a family-friendly 5K or one-mile fun run before the festivities begin later in the day.
🏃 Brain Bolt 5K. 5K / Survivor Course. 10:00am at Carmel Civic Square. Run, walk or roll through Carmel to support the treatment and care of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.
Wednesday, October 7
👀 Logan & Nora Run Across Indiana. 182 miles across Indiana beginning October 7. Meet this incredible father-daughter running team on Logan’s Instagram and follow along as they make their way across the state!
👟 Run Smart: Injury Prevention & Mobility with Darrell Barnes. 6:00pm at Runners’ Forum in Broad Ripple. With the Monumental Marathon just one month away, now is the time to make sure your body is ready for race day. Get your body ready for the final stretch of fall training with practical tips on injury prevention, strength, mobility and recovery.
Friday, October 9
🌲 The Indiana Trail 100. 150 Mile / 100 Mile / 50 Mile at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Albion. One of Indiana’s biggest trail endurance weekends, with three ultra-distance options through Chain O’Lakes State Park.
Saturday, October 10
🏃 Hustle in the Heartland. 8-Hour Run/Walk. 8:00am at Memorial Park in Lebanon. See how many miles you can cover in eight hours—or simply come out and move for as long as you’d like on this looped course. Use code AverageAthlete26 for 15% off.
🏃 The Big BO. 50K / 25K / 10K / 5K starting at Daredevil Brewing Co. in Speedway. Explore the B&O Trail with four distance options stretching from Speedway through Marion and Hendricks counties.
🎃 Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run. 5K. 9:00am at Military Park. Peak fall running vibes! Run or walk a downtown Indy 5K, then celebrate at the finish with apple cider—and take home your own pumpkin.
🏃 Walk Like Woodie 5K. 5K. 9:00am at Broad Ripple Park. A family-friendly 5K supporting FIRST Indiana Robotics, complete with local robotics teams and interactive STEM activities.
🍎 Apple Mash Dash. 5K. 3:00pm at Avon Town Hall / Blue Heron Park. Run or walk the trails of Blue Heron Park, then cross the finish line just as Avon’s Harvest Hayrides Festival gets underway.
🍺 Indiana Brewery Running Series x Half Liter. 5K-ish Fun Run. 11:00am at Half Liter BBQ in Indianapolis. Run, walk or jog a casual untimed 5K-ish route, then celebrate back at the brewery with a local craft beverage and the Brewery Running Series crew.
👀 Cameron Balser Starts His Run Across America. On October 10, Cameron Balser will leave San Francisco City Hall and run 3,067 miles to New York City Hall—chasing the supported transcontinental record of 42 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes. Follow our fellow Hoosier along this incredible journey—and keep an eye out for when he runs through his home state!
Sunday, October 11
🎃 Spooky Sprint Indianapolis. Half Marathon / 10K / 5K / Kids Dash. 8:00am in downtown Indianapolis. Get spooky and pick your distance at this Halloween-themed race with options for everyone from little runners to half marathoners.
Monday, October 12
❤️ Register for the 2027 Ketchup to Cancer Virtual 3.11. Virtual 3.11-mile run/walk. Join the second annual virtual event honoring Amanda Baker and supporting Ketchup to Cancer’s mission to fight colorectal cancer.
Tuesday, October 13
👟 The Ultimate Support Group with Brooks Run Bras. 7:00pm at Athletic Annex Carmel. A night for the ladies to learn about proper sports-bra fit and support with Brooks.
Thursday, October 15
🩺 Runners & Walkers Injury Screening. 5:00pm at Runners’ Forum Carmel. Divergent Rehab & Wellness will offer free 15-minute movement screenings to help runners and walkers understand how their bodies are moving and identify potential issues before they slow you down.
💃 Dance Walk Indy. 6:00pm in Broad Ripple. Dance your way through Broad Ripple with WeWalk Indy, Dance Works Indy and Dance Fam during this Halloween-themed community walk.
Friday, October 16
🛍️ Indiana Women’s Running Festival Expo. 4:00–8:00pm at the Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel in Carmel. Not racing? You can still get involved! Kick off race weekend with packet pickup and a fitness expo featuring running, wellness and race vendors.
Saturday, October 17
🏃♀️ Indiana Women’s Running Festival. Half Marathon / 10K / 5K. 8:00am at Carmel Civic Square. A celebration of women in running right here in Carmel, with three distances and a big finish-line celebration.
🏃 Outpacing the Stigma 5K. 5K. 9:00am at 1100 W. 42nd Street in Indianapolis. Run, walk and remember at this community 5K supporting families affected by substance use disorder and honoring lives lost to overdose.
🏃 Bee the Light 5K. 5K. 9:00am at Southeastway Park. A family-friendly paved-trail 5K honoring Shelby Kraft and raising funds for Rett Syndrome research.
🏃 Outlast - One 5K. Every Hour. For 6 Hours. 9:00am start at CERA Sports Park & Campground in Columbus, IN. OUTLAST is a 6-hour trail endurance challenge where runners complete a 5K every hour, on the hour. Each lap must be finished within the hour to stay in the event. If you finish early, you rest until the next round. Miss a lap, and you’re out.
🏃 Open 5K – Midwest Home/Small School Championship. 1:15pm at Northview Church in Carmel. Open 5K race at the Northview Church cross country course to follow the Midwest Home/Small School Cross Country Championship races, starting around 1:15pm. This registration is NOT used for the Elementary, Middle School, or High School races that will be run earlier in the day at the same location.
🌲 Tecumseh Trail Challenge. 8 Mile / Half Marathon / Marathon / 50K / 50K Relay at Yellowwood State Forest in Nashville. Pick your distance and hit the trails for one of Indiana’s classic fall trail-running events.
Friday, October 23
🔦 Tri-Trails Girls Run Club Headlamp Run. 8:30pm at MacGregor Park in Westfield. Join Tri-Trails Run Club, an all-girls trail running group, for a nighttime trail run followed by post-run apple cider! No RSVP is needed to run—just show up. Need a headlamp? DM Tri-Trails by October 19 to reserve one. 👻🍎
Saturday, October 24
👟 The Last Long Run Powered by Brooks Running! 8:00am at the Lakefront at Keystone. Join Athletic Annex for the Last Long Run before the Monumental Half Marathon! The path is a 1-mile loop and you are encouraged to run as many loops as you want! We will have access to fresh water, restrooms, as well as demo footwear from Brooks on hand so you can test their latest running shoes and have your questions answered as well as gain insights about their lineup.
🏃 Run the Monon. 20 Mile / 12 Mile. 7:00am & 8:30am from Marott Park. Part long run, part running-community field trip! Indy Runners & Walkers buses participants north before runners and walkers make their way back down the Monon to Marott Park for lunch.
🎃 Ghosts & Goblins. 5K / 1 Mile. 9:00am at Carmel High School. Costumes + running + community! This family-friendly Halloween race supports Carmel Clay students and teachers through the Carmel Education Foundation.
🏃 St. Jude Autumn 5K. 5K / Kids Race. Kids Race at 9:00am; 5K at 10:00am at St. Jude Parish Center. A family-friendly southside run/walk supporting St. Jude Youth Ministries, with a free kids race before the main event.
🎃 Costumed Community Walk. FREE 1-mile-ish walk. 10:30am at Irvington Presbyterian Church. No race and no finish line—just a costumed community walk through Irvington as part of the Halloween Festival’s Wellness Fair.
🍺 Indiana Brewery Running Series x Metazoa Brewing. 5K-ish Fun Run at Metazoa Brewing in Indianapolis. Run, walk or jog an untimed 5K-ish course and celebrate afterward at the brewery.
Sunday, October 25
🍷 Spencer Farm Haunted Wine Run. 5K. 9:00am or 11:00am at Spencer Farm Winery in Noblesville. Running + wine + fall at the farm! Run or walk a timed 5K, then celebrate with a pour of wine.
🏃 Sprint for the SOC Fundraising 5K Walk & Run. 5K. 10:00am at Brookside Park in Indianapolis. Runners and walkers of all speeds are welcome at this community 5K raising funds for the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic and its mission to provide cost-free healthcare.
Monday, October 26
🏃Runeasi Run Assessment with 4:7 Run. 6:00pm at Divergent Rehab & Wellness. Join at Divergent Rehab to go through a mock run assessment using the RunEasi belt with running coach Brooklyn Harvey of 4:7 Run, followed by a short group run.
Tuesday, October 27
👟 No Boundaries 5K Training Program. 6:00pm with Fleet Feet Indianapolis. An eight-week, coach-led program designed to help runners build strength, consistency and confidence for their next 5K.
Saturday, October 31
🧛 Irvington Vampire Run. 5K / Little Bat Dash. 9:30am in Historic Irvington. Run or walk through one of Indy’s most Halloween-loving neighborhoods as part of the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival.
🦸 Heroes Run. 5K / 1 Mile. 9:30am at Strawtown Koteewi Park in Noblesville. Hit Koteewi’s crushed-limestone trails for a 5K or one-mile run while supporting the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation.
November 2026
Thursday, November 5
🛍️ CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. 4:00–7:00pm at the Indiana Convention Center. Monumental weekend officially kicks off with packet pickup and the Health & Fitness Expo. Even if you’re not racing, come soak up the energy of one of Indy’s biggest running weekends!
Friday, November 6
👟 Shake Out & Hang Out. FREE 3-mile shakeout run. 8:30–10:00am at Bottleworks Hotel in Indianapolis. Start Monumental weekend with an easy shakeout hosted by Lindsey Hein and Ally Brettnacher with BOUND Running Co. and ReRun Apparel Co. Stick around for bagels, coffee, giveaways, bracelet making, shoe decorating and plenty of pre-race running community fun.
🛍️ CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Health & Fitness Expo. 11:00am–8:00pm at the Indiana Convention Center. Day two of Monumental packet pickup and the Health & Fitness Expo, featuring running brands, gear and plenty of pre-race excitement.
Saturday, November 7
🏃 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. Marathon / Half Marathon / 5K. 8:00am in Downtown Indianapolis. One of the biggest days of the year for the Indy running community! The marathon and half start at 8:00am, followed by the 5K at 8:40am. General registration is sold out, but limited charity entries are still available.
🎉 Your Post Race Celebration. 3:00–6:00pm at Brothers Bar & Grill in Downtown Indianapolis. Keep the Monumental celebration going after the race! Join Lindsey Hein, Ally Brettnacher and the Indy running community for food, drinks, hanging out and a live recording of the I’ll Have Another Podcast. Your $40 ticket includes appetizers and a drink, plus a goodie bag for the first 100 people to register.
🌲 Sodalis Scurry. 10K / 5K / 1K Kids Run. 4:00pm at Echo Hollow Nature Park in Plainfield. Hit the dirt, gravel and grass trails for an afternoon fall race through the protected habitat formerly known as Sodalis Nature Park.
🏃 Run Wayne Run. 2K Run/Walk. 10:00am at Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center in Indianapolis. A youth-focused race for ages 5–15 designed to introduce kids to fitness, running and healthy competition. An open 2K is also available.
Sunday, November 8
🦃 Turkey Trails Indianapolis. Half Marathon / 10K / 5K / 1 Mile / Kids Dash. Indianapolis. Get an early start on turkey-trot season with a Thanksgiving-themed race offering distances for everyone from kids to half marathoners.
Thursday, November 26 — Thanksgiving! 🦃
🏃 Wheeler Mission Drumstick Dash. 4.3 Mile Full Gobbler / 2.6 Mile Mini Gobbler. 9:00am in Broad Ripple. Move your feet so others can eat! One of Indy’s biggest running traditions brings thousands of runners and walkers to Broad Ripple on Thanksgiving morning, with proceeds supporting Wheeler Mission.
❤️ Bolt for the Heart Thanksgiving Day 5K. 5K Run/Walk. 9:00am at Carter Green in Carmel. Start Thanksgiving with a family 5K supporting Bolt for the Heart’s mission to place AEDs in law-enforcement vehicles and other locations throughout Indiana.
🦃 Fishers YMCA Wishbone 5K. 5K. 8:00am at the Fishers YMCA. A Fishers Thanksgiving tradition! Get your miles in before the feast while supporting the YMCA and its work in the local community.
🦃 Michael Treinen Turkey Trot. 5K / 3K Family Walk. 9:00am at Noblesville Square. Begin Thanksgiving morning on the Noblesville Square while supporting the Michael Treinen Foundation and its work helping families and patients battling cancer.
🏃 FitLivin THXRUN. 4 Mile / 1.5 Mile / FREE Kids ¼ Mile. Kids Run at 8:45am; Run/Walk at 9:00am at Dillon Park in Noblesville. Get a head start on the Thanksgiving feast while supporting educational scholarships for members of Indiana’s bleeding-disorders community.
🦃 Turkey Burn. 5K / Kids Run. Kids Run at 8:00am; 5K at 9:00am at Freedom Park in Greenwood. Gather your family, friends and arch rivals for a Thanksgiving morning run supporting The Refuge and celebrating community and family.
🦃 Gobble Gallop. 5K. 8:00am at Hendricks Regional Health YMCA in Avon. Give back one gallop at a time! This Thanksgiving morning 5K supports the YMCA Annual Campaign and helps provide financial assistance to Westside families.
December 2026
Friday, December 4
🎄 Krazy Krampus 5K. 5K in Indianapolis. Skip Santa for a night and embrace his considerably creepier counterpart! A festive—and slightly twisted—holiday 5K celebrating the legendary Krampus.
Saturday, December 5
🍺 Brew Ho Ho Ho 5K. 5K in Indianapolis. Put a little “ho ho ho” in your miles at this festive holiday 5K combining running, Christmas spirit and a post-run celebration.
🔔 Jingle Bell Run Indiana. 10K / 5K / 1 Mile in Fishers. Dress in your festive best and jingle your way through this holiday run supporting the Arthritis Foundation and its work to conquer arthritis.
Sunday, December 6
🎅 Santa Hustle Indianapolis. Half Marathon / 10K / 5K / Kids Dash. Kids Dash at 7:30am; Half at 8:00am; 10K & 5K at 8:15am at White River State Park. Grab the Santa hat and beard! This festive race brings holiday music, sweet treats and a whole lot of Christmas spirit to downtown Indianapolis.
🍬 Candy Cane Course Indianapolis. 15K / 10K / 5K / 1 Mile / Kids Dash. 9:00am at the Arthur Jordan YMCA. A family-friendly Christmas race with multiple distances, holiday swag, finisher medals, treats and plenty of festive fun.
Saturday, December 12
🇩🇪 Glühwein Gallop 5K. 5K at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Run a festive 5K from the Christkindlmarkt along the Monon and through downtown Carmel, then finish right back at the market for Glühwein, beer or Kinderpunsch. Costumes encouraged!
Saturday, December 19
🍩 The Donut 5K Holiday Run/Walk. 5K. 9:00am at Clay Terrace in Carmel. Donuts + running + dogs + holiday costumes! The Donut 5K celebrates its 20th anniversary with donut holes on the course and at the finish, festive swag and proceeds benefiting local animal rescues.