Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Explained

Bgcolour:lightblue
Sponsor:CNO Financial Group
Date:November
Location:Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Type:Road
Distance:Marathon, half marathon, 5K
Record:Men: 2:15:41 (2023)
Lyle O'Brien
Women: 2:35:36 (2023)
Rachel Hannah
Participants:15,000 (2023)

The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (also known as the CNO Financial Group Indianapolis Monumental Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is an annual road marathon usually held in early November in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The marathon was first held in 2008 and includes a half marathon and 5K run. Since 2016, it has been the only full fall marathon run in Indianapolis. In 2015, it claimed to have become one of the 20 largest marathons in the U.S.[1]

History

The Monumental Marathon was established by Carlton Ray in 2008.[2] [3] [4] Just over 1,100 runners completed the race's inaugural running, while almost 2,000 completed the race the following year. Nearly 3,000 runners completed the half marathon in 2009. Beginning in 2010, a 5k race was offered as well. In 2014, Runners World named the race as one of the nine best, new U.S. marathons.

In 2015, the Monumental Marathon purchased the Indianapolis Marathon and converted it into a half marathon, operating as the Indy Half Marathon at Fort Ben. Prior to the purchase, the Monumental Marathon was reported to be in the top 25 marathons in the United States.[5]

In 2017, Jed Cornforth was appointed as executive director of the event, replacing the prior director, Blake Boldon, who left the event to direct the Drake Relays.[6] The 2020 in-person edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic,[7] with all registrants given the option of running the race virtually or transferring their entry to 2021. An e-mail address was provided for registrants to request a refund, without any additional details regarding a refund policy.[8]

Course

The course for the Monumental Marathon begins and ends near the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis. The Monumental Half Marathon is run concurrently with the full marathon. The two races follow identical routes for the first six or so miles, split, then re-converge for the last 3miles of the course.

Winners

Key: Course record

YearMaleTimeFemaleTimeRf.
2008Richard Kandie2:22:24Zeddy Chepkoech2:40:28[9]
2009Mathew Chesang2:21:00Molly Brown-Boulay3:07:28[10]
2010Leornard Mucheru2:17:58Jackie Dikos 2:45:25[11]
2011Hillary Cheruiyot2:22:20Mandy Grantz2:42:36[12]
2012Aleksey Alexandrova2:18:44Whitney Bevins-Lazzara2:45:23[13]
2013David Tuwei 2:16:40Colleen Dereuck2:39:22[14]
2014Michael Eaton2:19:38Alana Hadley2:38:34[15] [16]
2015Jesse Davis2:17:59Nicole Michmerhuizen2:41:37[17]
2016Japhet Kipkoech2:18:30Andie Cozzarelli2:38:47[18]
2017Japhet Kipkoech (2)2:18:34Laura Portis2:41:35[19]
2018Aaron Fletcher2:17:23Laurie Knowles2:37:50[20]
2019Nate Guthals2:17:15Dot McMahan2:35:36[21]
2020Event cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021Ian Carter2:16:24Christina Murphy2:37:57[22]
2022Jacob Heslington2:18:56Jennifer Pope2:37:22[23]
2023Lyle O'Brien2:15:39Rachel Hannah2:35:12[24]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Home - Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Half-Marathon - 5k - Kid's Fun Run.
  2. News: Schoettle . Anthony . February 11, 2008 . City getting new marathon . Indianapolis Business Journal . November 5, 2022.
  3. News: November 14, 2008 . Scenic Downtown marathon starts off on right foot . A.13 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022.
  4. News: Wang . Stephanie . November 2, 2017 . Race founder reflects on monumental achievements: 10 years in, marathon remains popular draw . A.3 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022.
  5. News: Woods . David . September 17, 2015 . In 2016, only one full marathon . C.1 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022. .
  6. News: Woods . David . February 22, 2017 . Monumental Marathon has new director . C.2 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022. .
  7. Web site: Knobeloch . Payton . July 17, 2020 . Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Canceled Over Coronavirus Concerns . 2022-11-05 . News - Indiana Public Media.
  8. Web site: Statement on COVID-19. 13 March 2020.
  9. Web site: Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Race Results 2008 . 2022-11-05 . www.marathonguide.com.
  10. Web site: Monumental Half Marathon Results . 2022-11-05 . www.tuxbro.com.
  11. Web site: IMM Full . 2022-11-05 . www.tuxbro.com.
  12. Web site: IMM Full 2011 . 2022-11-05 . www.tuxbro.com.
  13. News: November 4, 2012 . Good in the long run . C.9 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022.
  14. Web site: IMM13Fullb . 2022-11-05 . www.tuxbro.com.
  15. News: Woods . David . November 6, 2015 . Monumental Marathon expects 17,000 . 5 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022 . .
  16. News: Anthony . Cara . November 2, 2014 . Turtle power . A.23 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022.
  17. Web site: IMM FULLb 15 . 2022-11-05 . www.tuxbro.com.
  18. Web site: 2016 . 2022-11-05 . CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon . en-US.
  19. Web site: 2017 . 2022-11-05 . CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon . en-US.
  20. Web site: 2018 . 2022-11-05 . CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon . en-US.
  21. News: Woods . David . November 10, 2019 . Foley among 22 women to reach Olympic Trials . B.1 . Indianapolis Star . November 5, 2022.
  22. Web site: 2022-07-08 . 2021 - CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708150948/https://monumentalmarathon.com/results/monumental-marathon-results/2021-2/ . 2022-07-08 . 2022-11-05.
  23. Web site: 2022-11-05 . News - CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon . https://web.archive.org/web/20221105181007/https://monumentalmarathon.com/news/ . 2022-11-05 . 2022-11-05.
  24. Web site: CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon Results . October 31, 2023 . OnlineRaceResults.