Indianapolis Mini-Marathon

[kmwest]

Especially for being the largest half-marathon on the country, the Indy Mini course is unusual in that it seems to pride itself in taking runners through some of the worst (or at least, unsightliest) neighborhoods in Indianapolis. And finally, a photo blog to demonstrate.

IndyScribe: The Surreal Life: Indianapolis Mini-Marathon Edition

[BamaDave]

LOL! I have to admit, I wasn't too impressed with the scenery last year. And running around the racetrack was interesting for about 500 yards and then started sucking. Nevertheless, a very well organized race aside from being too liberal with giving preferred seeding to slower runners.

Some Birmingham races cover ugly scenery as well. That's probably because the flatter sections of town are mostly ugly and industrial. The pretty places are extremely hilly.

[kmwest]

The problem is that the main gimmick for the race is the run around the track which, as you said, is pretty boring. And there's only so many roads that go from downtown to Speedway, and they all go through suck neighborhoods. The half of the Indianapolis Marathon (in October) is better - the course is largely middle-class subdivisions, with a jaunt through a state park.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Haha. That really cracked me up. I can't believe it's already been a year since that race. The scenery definitely wasn't the greatest, and the track was less than thrilling, but it was pretty cool to be running with 35,000 other people. I'm still amazed that I was able to pick out Ralph on the course.

One of my co-workers is trying to sell me on the Indianapolis Marathon. I want to do one in the fall, so we'll see.

[kmwest]

They did the USATF cross country championships in Mission Bay, San Diego in February. That should be a nice run when I get back in about ten weeks. I figure if I live within 5mi of work I can run each way most days and bike the rest; that will build up a base in addition to my other cycling/lifting/running/swimmi ng workouts.

The Indy Marathon is a nice one. That was my first full marathon, maybe not the best for a first but it's a good alternative to the big ones. It's only around $35-40, you can do packet pickup in about five minutes on the race morning, and you can park a half block from the starting line. The race is well protected and has enough water/gatorade stops.

There are times when it feels like you're just doing a Sunday group run through town, with plenty of room to move and a few people sitting out in lawn chairs watching the race. What sucks is at about the 12.7mi mark, when the half runners peel off and the full guys go straight into the Fort Harrison park. Then it's a lonely 6.5mi out-and-back through the park and along a residential street. There were times in the park that I couldn't see any other runners. So it sucks as a first marathon in that respect.

I'm surprised you picked me out too! Glad I did my standard high fiving of spectators.