Carmel Marathon Reviews

  Great route, organization, and city!

By Jacob Board about 2022

Review

I loved everything about this race. The route was fantastic! I feel like the “hills” were almost the kinds that you’re thankful for - they change up your stride just enough, but none of them last very long. I would 100% do this race again!

Every police officer, volunteer, or anyone associated with the event team was delightful and encouraging.

  Recommended!

By McCallister about 2021

Review

This was my 1st marathon in 2018 and then my fastest (BQ) in 2021. 2018 was super windy, so they had to shut down the end of race concessions. 2021 was ideal conditions all the way around. Good race support and fan support.

Race Tips

It's downhill at the start, so dont go out too fast. It's mostly flat with many slightly rolling hills. Dont believe the "flat" and train for the hills. Beware miles16-22 is a constant climb that can be daunting if you're struggling. "It goes on forever!" Regardless, this race (typically) has ideal weather and if you trained properly and run a smart race, you will PR.

  Fast but Grueling

By Zachary Kroll about 2019

Review

Rain. Heavy, heavy rain. The course its flat and fast but under the late March conditions it can be quite difficult.

  Decent but not great

By KV about 2019

Review

Expo was great, good swag bag, course is not flat rolling hills. Aid station every mile, solid crowd support. Post race was weak but might be due to all the rain. Start line wasnt organized.

Race Tips

Good for locals, not sure I would travel for this race

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Roads were closed off so it was a pain to find the parking lots

  Really needs improvement

By DR about 2019

Review

This marathon is disappointing. The half and full runners stay together for the entire half! There are plenty of water stations, but they used water straight from the fire hydrants and it tasted so bad I was afraid to drink it for fear of getting sick. Because there are so many runners together, there are not nearly enough port a pottys. The lines are very long until past mile 13. There is absolutely zero nutritional support at any aid station. There are plenty of first aid station though, although I did not use them I thought that was a good idea. The volunteers are very nice and enthusiastic. It is such a horrible feeling to come up to the finish line and have to stay to the left and pass it to continue on for another 13.1 miles. But, the absolute worst part is that they pack up things more than two hours before the time limit and there is NOTHING except water for the last finishers of the Full Marathon. I ran 26.2 miles and choose at mile 20 to stay with and encourage another runner that was ready to quit and so my time was 5:28. We only received a bottle of water. Nothing else. And, there was still over an hour to go until it was over. We were supposed to get pancakes. They were gone, the chocolate milk was gone, all the vendors were gone. It made you feel like a loser.

Race Tips

Water that is actually healthy to drink. Nutritional support. Don't act like the race is over more than 2hrs before everyone finishes.

  Great Atmosphere!

By ZTC about 2018

  Most Organized Marathon Ever! (6x Finisher)

By Eileen about 2018

Review

The course is flat, fast, well supported, and I think the Race Director and his staff are passionate and thoughtful toward the running community because they are avid runners themselves.

  Boutique Marathon that offers everything

By TAO about 2017

Review

Cheap marathon that offers so much. I can see why it continues to growth. Great time.

Race Tips

Lots of places to eat.North suburb of indy so lots to do.

  

By Steve about 2017

Review

The course was very nice and mostly flat. 2017 was very cool. No GU's until mile 18 but tons of water stations. Course is sometimes poorly marked. I jumped a fence to get back on course but most people were okay.

  

By Anonymous about 2016

Review

On course support and aid stations could be better.

Race Tips

About 20 miles into the race you return to the monon center area, if its a warm sunny day, this is a very difficult area

  

By SDB about 2014

Review

Lots of water/aid stations. No GUs or gels, just water & powerade. Nice course, mostly flat on closed streets, some park & paved trail. They didn't close the trail to the public though so there were walkers & bikers that you had to dodge & look out for. No real direction at the end, lots of people were passing up the people handing out the medals & had to go back. Beer garden was only for participants so family & friends couldn't join in. Beer garden was in the opposite direction of the food, massages, gear check, etc.

Race Tips

Corral start wasn't really a corral start at all, just lining up according to pace then everyone takes off. Shuttle from the hotels dropped everyone off about 3 blocks away from the start.

Logistical Tips (Hotels, Restaurants, Parking, Discounts, etc.)

Stayed at the Doubletree about 2 miles from the start. Had shuttles to & from the Expo & the start line. Very nice rooms & I thought reasonable cost.