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.
Add your event.
This month’s IndyRunDown is powered by Christi Dee of @this_blonde _runs - coach, author, and elite-level cheerleader for runners everywhere.
April 2026
Thursday, April 23
🏃 5 Alarm 5K. 6:00pm in the Indianapolis White River Park during FDIC International. The Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated launch of the 5th annual FCSN 5 Alarm 5K Run to Remember! Open to participants of all levels and backgrounds! It offers a flat, fast, and closed course that winds around the scenic Indianapolis Canal, and gives you the option to be timed.
Saturday, April 25
🏃 Choose to Move 5K and 1M. 9:00am race start from Witten Park, 13256 Saxony Blvd., Fishers, IN 46037. RACE TO BEAT PARKINSON’S DISEASE.
🍩 Alternatives Inc. - 2026 Donut Dash 5K. 9:00am start from Depot Street Park in Greenfield. Join us for a 5K to support domestic & sexual violence survivors. The route will take you down the Pennsy Trail with donuts at the turn around spot (at Brandywine Park) and finish line for you to enjoy. You can register the day of the event in-person. Alternatives Incorporated provides housing and supportive services for domestic and sexual violence survivors. We also provide domestic, dating, and sexual violence prevention programming throughout Hancock County.
🏃 Rock the Block 10K | 5K | Kids Run. Rock the Block is a 10K (timed), 5K walk/run (family-friendly), and a free Kids Run. The event includes scenic courses, food, music, vendors, awards and giveaways-guaranteeing fun for everyone! Proceeds benefit organizations serving youth and families in Johnson County.
🏃 St Vincent de Paul Love your Neighbor 5K. 9:00am start from the Indiana State Museum Lawn.
Sunday, April 26
🍩 DoNot Stop Half Marathon. 8:00am start in Indianapolis. 5k/10k/Half Marathon. Complete the challenge of 12 donut holes on the course + 1 full donut at the finish to earn your challenge pin!
🌲 Run With The Squirrels Half Marathon - 10 miler - 10k - 5k. 12:00pm start in Morgan Monroe State Forest. It will be very similar in the fact it is low cost and low frills. No finisher medals, just the satisfaction that you did something amazing out in mother nature...WooHoo! There will be basic aid stations for the 10k, 10 miler, and 13.1 mile events.
Wednesday, April 29
🏃 Indy Mini Shakeout Run. 6:00PM - 9:00PM Outside Centerpoint Brewing in Indianapolis. Presented by Athletic Annex! This free and fun 30-minute run or walk is the perfect way to loosen up your legs, connect with fellow runners, and soak in the excitement before race day! Participants over 21 will also receive a drink ticket for Centerpoint Brewing. Whether you’re racing the Indy Mini or cheering on friends, come be a part of the celebration!
May 2026
Friday, May 1
🏁 Indy Mini Expo. 10:00am - 8:00pm at the Indiana Convention Center. The 2026 Indy Mini Expo will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, and Friday, May 1, 2026. The Expo is free and open to the public, and is a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy the excitement of the Mini-Marathon and 5K.
Average Athlete will have a table at the expo with some apparel and goodies. Come say hello!
🎤 I’ll Have Another with Lindsey Hein LIVE! 3:30pm at Bottleworks Hotel in Indianapolis. Don’t miss this exciting live recording of the I’ll Have Another Podcast with Lindsey Hein, the evening before the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon featuring American Record Holder in the 8K Emma Grace Hurley.This event will bring together the incredible Indianapolis running community for an evening of fun and inspiration. ONLY 100 TICKETS AVAILABLE!
🏃 Shakeout run with Fleet Feet x Half Past Chai Run Club. 8:00am at MOTW Coffee in Carmel (12761 Old Meridian St). WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
- Chai (of course) courtesy of MOTW
- Bagels and snacks
- A 3-mile fun run!
- THE Jenny Simpson is joining us!!
- Fuel from Skratch (our favorite!!)
- Recovery talk & session info from SWTHZ
Saturday, May 2
Monday, May 4
🏃 Indy Mini Recovery Run. 6:00pm at Athletic Annex Nora. New Balance will have the all new Ellipse V1 to demo and we have some fun, recovery themed activities planned.
Tuesday, May 5
🏃 Cinco de Mayo 5K. 6:30pm start at Half Liter in Indianapolis. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a festive Inaugural Cinco de Mayo 5K packed with color, culture, and community! Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to hit the course for a lively 3.1-mile run filled with music, high energy, and plenty of fiesta vibes. Participants will receive a themed race shirt, a festive finisher medal, and a free Lucha Lima Beer at Half Liter BBQ to keep the celebration going after the finish line. Dress in your brightest colors or favorite Cinco de Mayo gear and join us for a evening of fitness, fun, and fiesta spirit. ¡Vamos!
Wednesday, May 6
🏁 Shred(415) the Speedway. 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Shred415 is proud to present Shred the Speedway — a high-energy, heart-pumping fitness event. Join your host, FOX broadcaster Jamie Little, as she emcees a special 45-minute Shred415-style workout at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that will combine strength training and cardio bursts, giving participants an unforgettable sweat session on one of racing’s most iconic tracks. The event will have special appearances from NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers Rinus VeeKay, Sting Ray Robb, Conor Daly and more, stopping by to sign shirts while you sweat!
🧑🎓 Athletic Annex University: Injury Prevention/Strength and Rehab. 6:00pm Meet at Athletic Annex Carmel and walk over to St. Vincent’s Sports Performance for brief tour and pre-run stretches. We’ll do a 30 minute run/walk followed by a 20 min presentation followed by Q & A. Louie Langley, DPT, Ascension Sports Performance, Physical Therapist, Dad, Husband, ultra runner, 16 ultra distance races, numerous 1/2 marathon distances finished.
Saturday, May 9
🏁 500 Festival Rookie Run. Indiana’s youngest runners are hitting the street. This non-competitive fun run allows children ages 3 – 10 the fun opportunity to get active and experience the excitement of a running event, complete with a start and finish line production, cheering section, participant bib, and finisher medal.
🏳️🌈 Indy Pride 5K. 9:00 AM start on the Cultural Trail in front of the NCAA building Indianapolis. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a casual walker, or somewhere in between, everyone is welcome to participate and show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. This year, the race moves to White River State Park, following the beautiful and scenic White River trail system and finishing in the heart of Indy Pride Fest’s new expanded home.
🍺 Indiana Brewery Running Series - Chilly Water Brewing . 11:00am start from Chilly Water Brewing in Indianapolis. Start and finish the 5K-ish course from the taproom. No pressure, no timing - just movement, community and a refreshing craft beer waiting for you at the finish line. This event benefits IPS #39 William McKinley School Art Department.
Monday, May 11
🧑🎓 Athletic Annex University: Cross-training for success with Orangetheory Fitness. 6:00 pm- Orangetheory Fitness led pre-run stretches | 6:10 pm 30-45 min run/walk from Athletic Annex | 7:00 pm 20 min presentation and Q/A. Tyler Lymburner is a Doctor of Chiropractic and strength coach with over 14 years of experience in fitness, performance, and injury prevention. As a coach at Orangetheory Fitness, he specializes in helping runners and active adults build strength, prevent injuries, and improve performance so they can stay active for life.
Saturday, May 16
🏃 Big 4 Trail High-Five Classic 4, 8, & 12 Miler. 8:00am start from Big 4 Lebanon Sam Ralston Trail Head. Choose your distance: 4, 8, or 12 miles, and experience a course that blends wooded areas and paved rail-to-trail with open views that showcase the beauty of the Big 4 Trail Lebanon corridor. Community vibe, high-fives, and encouragement on the out-and-back course as friends and fellow runners cheer you on at key points throughout the course.
Use TEAMAVERAGE15 for 15% off registration.
🏃 Indy Run Collective presented by New Shoe Day. 8:00am at Athletic Annex Nora. We’re bringing together runners and run clubs from across Indy for one big community run. All community, no competition. Just an epic all-clubs run to support kids in our city and celebrate running in Indy. Bonus:
• Exclusive in-store discount for attendees
• 10% of all sales that morning will be donated back to New Shoe Day
🏃 Run with Shears 5K. 9:30am start. Next to the Indiana Statehouse, firefighters and police officers from across the state who gave their lives in the line of duty are memorialized. Join fellow EMS professionals to create an addition to this memorial for emergency medical technicians and paramedics who lost their lives serving our communities. Help us continue to raise funds for this project and kick-off National EMS Week by joining us for the eighth annual Run With Shears on May 16, 2026. You will love our fast and flat USATF sanctioned course with elite awards, medals, and shirts. Children, and strollers are also welcome. Again this year we’ve added the Kid’s 911 Yard Dash. Bring the kid’s and get them moving. You may register your kid for $5. Kids participating will receive a medal.
🏃 Race for Roofs 4K/8K: Indianapolis. 8:30 am start at Brookside Park Indianapolis. We’re committed to helping residents stay in their homes during hardship. Our eviction prevention fund supports those struggling with rent through payment plans, rent forgiveness, and personalized solutions. Proceeds from this event make that work possible.
🏃 Red Devil Dash. 9:00am start. The Pike Distance Devils in conjunction with Pike Township Wellness presents the 2025 Red Devil Dash. This year's race features two distances for your racing pleasure - 1K & 5K. The race will be held on the Pike Township Cross Country course located behind Eastbrook Elementary.
Sunday, May 17
🌸 Parks and Petals 5K. 8:30am in Noblesville. The event takes place the same weekend as the Indiana Peony Festival, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy the blooming peonies throughout the area and take part in the many festivities happening around town. The Parks and Petals 5K is a Walk, Run, Jog Event hosted by the Noblesville Parks Foundation. This is a fundraising event, and all proceeds will go towards the future support of Noblesville Parks and Recreation.
Wednesday, May 20
🧑🎓 Athletic Annex University: Proper Fueling and Nutrition. 6:00 pm 30-45 min run/walk from Athletic Annex Carmel. 7:00 pm 20 min presentation and Q/A.
Lindsay Langford is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) at Ascension St. Vincent Sports Performance (ASVSP) in Indianapolis, IN. Through her 18 years at ASVSP, she has served as the team dietitian for the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, US Soccer Womens National Team and more. She currently works with all athletes and active individuals within Indianapolis, along with serving as team dietitian for Marian University and
Cincinnati Bengals.
Friday, May 22
👟 Athletic Annex, Last day to donate your shoes. Turn your old pair into $10! Each old pair of shoes you donate will save you $10* on a single new pair of shoes, from April 22nd through May 22nd! Let’s keep those old shoes out of the landfill this Earth Day!
Saturday, May 23
🏃 Pirate Cat 5K. 10:30am at Big Lug Canteen in Indianapolis. Grab your eyepatch, lace up your running shoes, and join us for the most paws-itively adventurous 5K on the high seas! Whether you’re a speedy sea captain or a laid-back landlubber, the Pirate Cat 5K is a swashbuckling good time for runners, walkers, and little pirates alike. Finish with a Ice Cold Pirate Cat porter from Big Lug :) Run/Walk all while Supporting FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic.
Monday, May 25
🏃 The GIANT 5K Memorial Day Moto Run/Walk. 8:00am in Indianapolis. Come join the cadets from Ben Davis High School Marine Corps JROTC in a non-timed 5k moto-run/walk. Before we start, we will have service to honor our fallen service members at 0800.
Thursday, May 28
🧑🎓Athletic Annex University: Level Up. Step up your training. 6:00 pm- 30-45 min run/walk from Annex. | 7:00 pm- 20 min presentation and Q/A | 7:30 pm- Graduation Social at Upland Brewing. Jeremy Wilson from VQ Labs- DEXA scans, sweat tests, VO2 max testing
Saturday, May 30
🌲DINO Trail Run Series - Brown County. 15K or 5K at Brown County State Park. This is the only course this year with mile-long climbs and downhills - much different than the other races in the series. The course starts uphill for the first mile before flattening a bit. The 5k heads back downhill for a mile-long downhill to the finish. 15k will make a left turn that sends runners onto a loop containing several long climbs and descents. 15k will finish with the same long downhill as the 5k.
🍺 Indiana Brewery Running Series - Guggman Haus Brewing . 11:00am start from Guggman Haus Brewing in Indianapolis. Start and finish the 5K-ish course from the taproom. No pressure, no timing - just movement, community and a refreshing craft beer waiting for you at the finish line. This event benefits Joy's House.
🏃 Phelan Fast 5K. 8:30am at Conner Prairie in Fishers. All proceeds from the event will benefit Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. The scenic 5K route will take you through Conner Prairie on a well marked route. Strollers welcome! Please no pets.
🏃
June 2026
Wednesday, June 3
🏃 Athletic Annex Global Running Day Celebration. 5:30pm at Athletic Annex Nora. Enjoy free entry, live music from My Yellow Rickshaw, a food truck, and much more. Come run, move, and celebrate with the community!
Saturday, June 6
🏃 Hancock Half Marathon & 5K. 8:00am at Depot Street Park in Greenfield, Indiana. Celebrate National Trails Day on June 6, 2026 with a run through the heart of Hancock County! This is the second annual Park to Park Hancock Half Marathon and 5K, running the paved trails which connect several scenic parks in Greenfield, Indiana.
Sunday, June 7
🏃 Divas Indianapolis Half Marathon. 7:00 AM at White River State Park in Indianapolis. Women only. From coast to coast, tiara to tiara, the Diva’s® Half Marathon & 5K Series is empowering women to shine, stride by stride! With glam on the course, feather boas, sparkling tiaras, and thousands of fierce, fabulous runners, this isn’t just a race … it’s a celebration of strength, sisterhood, and self-love. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just soaking up the sparkle, grab your girls and join the movement. You’ve got this, Diva!
July 2026
Friday, June 5
🌲 MoMoFo 100K. Starts on June 5 at 7 PM and has a 20 hour limit, finishing on Saturday June 6 at 3PM. Situated in Indiana’s beautiful Morgan Monroe State Forest, this evening-start event will have plenty to offer throughout the night with its old growth forests, natural rock formations, lakes, and creeks. Oh, and did we mention the hills? With about 8,500 feet of climbing—yes, over 8.5k of climbing!—in addition to southern Indiana’s typical summertime heat and humidity, this race is tougher than you’d think. Comprised of 85% single track, 11% forest service road, and 4% paved road (but with a generous cutoff time of 20 hours), we assure you that you won’t be disappointed.
Saturday, June 6
🌲MoMoFo 20 mile "fun run". Starts on Saturday, June 6 at 8:30 AM and have a 6.5 hour limit and also finish at 3PM Saturday June 6 in Morgan Monroe State Forest. If you aren’t quite up for the full 100km we have a 20 mile loop for you to “enjoy”. This run will start Saturday June 6 at 8:30am. You will have a SUPER generous 6 hours and 30 minutes to complete one loop. This is the same loop as the 100k folks with the same unbelievable support at each aid station.
August 2026
September 2026
Saturday, September 19
🏃 Arsenal 5k Run/Walk. 9:00am start at Arsenal Tech's Campus in Indianapolis. Since its inception in 2000, the Arsenal 5K Run/Walk has donated more than $65,000 in college scholarships to Near Eastside high school seniors, and has recently begun awarding funds to extracurricular clubs at Arsenal Technical High School. This volunteer-organized, family-friendly, fun 5K Run/Walk takes place on the beautiful, historic campus of IPS Arsenal Technical High School and aims to combine health, history and a sense of community. First-time 5k runners, young runners and children are encouraged to participate. It is a casual, mixed-terrain 5k course (asphalt, concrete, brick, grass, gravel). Race starts at 9:00 a.m., and on-site registration and bib pickup start at 8:00 a.m. Use code "Average" for $5 off adult registration
October 2026
Saturday, October 17
🏃 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.