INDIANAPOLIS — This Saturday marks the 16th anniversary of the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.
The marathon ranks among the 15 largest in the nation.
It goes through the downtown area and then through some of the city's most iconic neighborhoods. It is also traditionally a fast course, and many runners use it to qualify for other races, such as the Boston Marathon.
The opening ceremony kicks off at 7:30 a.m., and the course will stay open until 3:30 p.m. for contestants to finish the course.
Runners will take part in the marathon, a half-marathon and 5K.
For Will Johnson, running marathons is a way to bring him closer to his mom.
"She actually had a heart condition and passed away, and I kind of just run them to be healthy and honor her memory," said Johnson, who traveled to Indianapolis from Cincinnati.
Cliff and Trent Lamaoca are 15. Even though they may have been born together, the Lamaoca twins said they'll be crossing the finish line separately.
"He's a minute ahead of me. Yeah, definitely. He's definitely faster than me. Yeah, I'm a bit faster," they said.
And while the marathon will surely have an impact on those running, it will also have an impact on businesses in the area.
"It's a great economic impact. We believe somewhere between $8 and $10 million that drives the economy forward," said Jed Cornforth, executive director of Monumental Beyond. "Lots of folks are in from out of town, utilizing hotel rooms, utilizing restaurants, spending the weekend out looking at museums and all the different venues that we've got in town."
Traffic will also be impacted Saturday. Several roads will be closed beginning early Saturday morning. One part of North Capitol Avenue downtown will be restricted until 5:30 p.m.
And as for those who say they could never run a marathon, one runner has a message for them.
"Why not? You know, even if you do walk it, you have nothing to lose. It's an experience," said Maria Saldana, who came from Fort Wayne for the marathon.
Can I still join the race?
The marathon is sold out. However, online registration is still available for the half marathon and 5K. On-site registration begins at the Monumental Health & Fitness Expo on Thursday, October 26 and Friday, October 27.
Where is the starting line and what is the course?
The starting line will be at East Washington Street and South Capitol Avenue. You will not be able to cross Washington Street at Capitol Avenue.
Gear check will be near East Washington and South West streets.
Expo Hall A, inside the Indiana Convention Center, will act as the pre-race warmup area.
A map of the actual race routes can be seen here and below:
Weather conditions
There will be nearly ideal weather conditions, with the exception of the north wind 10-plus mph, for runners and quick times.
A low cloud deck keeps temperatures steady around 50 degrees for the majority of the race. Areas of drizzle and/or light showers are possible.
Traffic changes
There will be a series of traffic closures on race morning.
A series of downtown Indianapolis streets will be restricted from 7:50 a.m. - 10 a.m. The street restrictions north of downtown will be between 8 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The streets north and through Broad Ripple being used for the race will be restricted between 8:35 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
For a better understanding of which streets will be closed and the times, please refer to this map.
IndyGo route detours
Due to the 2023 Monumental Marathon set for Saturday, Oct. 28, people will run into road closures and IndyGo route detours.
The road closures will be complete and partial in different areas. That's because there will be runners taking part in the 5K, half marathon and marathon in the 16th year of the event.
IndyGo said the marathon's route, which runs through the heart of the city, will interfere with the current Red Line route. Street closures and detours will go into effect when bus service begins Saturday morning. IndyGo said the rerouting could last throughout the entire day, until at least 5 p.m. in the evening.
One closure will begin early. Washington Street from Capital Avenue to West Street will close at 5 p.m. Friday.
Here are the Red Line stops that will be affected during the marathon:
- Vermont
- Statehouse
- New Jersey
- 22nd Street
- Fall Creek/Ivy Tech
- 18th and Meridian
IndyGo said the IU Health station will close only for northbound service. Riders wishing to travel north will need to board at the 30th and Meridian Streets station.
The Park Avenue Red Line station will have limited service and operate in two segments. IndyGo said passengers wanting to continue south of 38th Street should exit at the temporary stop at 38th and College and walk to the Park Avenue station, while passengers who want to continue north of 38th Street should walk to 38th and College.
Several local routes downtown will have stop closures. Here are the affected routes:
- Route 2: All stops from 34th Street and Sutherland Avenue to the Carson Transit Center (CTC).
- Route 3: All stops from Michigan Street and Oriental Street to Michigan Street and West Street.
- Route 4: All stops from 38th Street and Keystone Avenue to the CTC.
- Route 5: All stops from 25th Street and Keystone Avenue to the CTC.
- Route 6: All stops from CTC to Indiana Avenue and West Street. All stops from Harding Street and 23rd Street to 36th Street and Totem Street.
- Route 8: All stops along Washington Street from West Street to the CTC. (This closure will begin Friday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m., and end once the race is complete.) All stops along Maryland Street from West Street to the CTC.
- Route 10: All stops from 10th Street and Oriental Street to Michigan Street and West Street.
- Route 11: All stops from 10th Street and Oriental Street to the CTC.
- Route 13: All stops from Virginia Avenue and East Street to the CTC.
- Route 15: All stops from 30th Street and Cold Spring Road to 16th Street and Dr Martin Luther King Jr Drive. All stops from West Street and Indiana Avenue to the CTC.
- Route 16: All stops from Meridian Street and Morris Street to the CTC.
- Route 18: All stops from Kessler Boulevard and Keystone Avenue to the CTC.
- Route 19: All stops from 46th Street and Keystone Avenue to the CTC. All stops from 52nd Street and Keystone Avenue to 46th Street and Central Avenue.
- Route 21: All stops from Brookside Avenue to the CTC.
- Route 24: All stops from Kentucky Avenue and West Street to the CTC. (This route will be on detour all day due to the National Band Competition at Lucas Oil Stadium.)
- Route 25: All stops from 16th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Drive to the CTC.
- Route 26: All stops from Virginia Avenue and East Street to the CTC.
- Route 28: All stops from Spring Mill Road and Kessler Boulevard to the CTC.
- Route 30: All stops from 30th Street and Dr Andrew J Brown Avenue to 19th Street and Belleview Place.
- Route 31: All stops from Meridian Street and Morris Street to the CTC.
- Route 34: All stops from Michigan Road and Cold Spring Road to the CTC.
- Route 37: All stops from Michigan Street and West Street to the CTC.
- Route 38: All stops from 38th Street and Cold Spring Road to the CTC.
- Route 39: All stops from 38th Street and Keystone Avenue to the CTC.
- Route 56: All stops from Virginia Avenue and East Street to the CTC.
Race results
For race results for the Monumental Marathon, click here.
You can find more information on the Monumental Marathon here.