Carmel Marathon vs Indianapolis Monumental Marathon — Marathon Comparison

Jacob Board's review of 2022 race.   

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.

Race Tips

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

McCallister's review of 2021 race.   

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.

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

DR's review of 2019 race.   

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.

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

KV's review of 2019 race.   

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

Zachary Kroll's review of 2019 race.   

Review

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

Race Tips

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

NBO's review of 2025 race.   

Review

I found this race very easy to navigate in every way. The expo was good but not too big, the corrals were easy to locate in the morning and easy to get into. Even the line for the porta-potties didn't take too long. The field was fast, and while crowded for the first three miles or so, thinned out enough where it wasn't difficult to make a move when needed. The road surfaces were not great in many places - downright dangerous in a couple. Also, the course was too narrow in a few spots early on. Water stops were plentiful, and it was easy to get both water and electrolyte as the cups were different colors. There were gels available at multiple points but I didn't take any. At no point were the course markings difficult to understand, and the split/merge with the half marathon was pretty seamless. No issues. The finish area was nice, and it didn't take me too long to get out and back to my hotel. It was a little crowded (both with half-marathoners and spectators), but not so much that it was a hassle to get where I needed to be. The race t-shirt wasn't great, there was a free hat which was nice, and I think the medal looks really good. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed it though - I had a great race (big PR!), and I think objectively it's a great race. Could be improved by repaving some sections of road and by opening the width of the course to both lanes early on - the narrowness was a bit frustrating. Regardless, I'll run it again for sure. Really fun time.

Race Tips

If you're shooting for a BQ, PR, etc., get to the front of your corral before the start. The course is too narrow early on and even though it isn't a major, the crowding can feel like it.

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

Get a hotel right at the start/finish and you'll have zero issues getting to/from the start. Make sure you confirm your checkout time and leave yourself time to get cleaned up post-race.

Rebecca B.'s review of 2024 race.   

Review

The start line had waves so it was easier to navigate to my appropriate wave. The crowd support was actually very good! I was surprised that so many neighborhoods along the course had people out cheering! The weather was perfect as far as temperature (low 50s), it was a little windy (7-9 mph) but not too bad- I stayed in a pack most of the time to help shield the wind. Speaking of, it is crowded! Sometimes a good thing because I almost always had someone to run with (ran 2:56:04) but also, in the beginning it was hard to run tangents because of rubbing with a group.
- right after about mile 6 it was the sweet spot of plenty of people to run with but not too crowded. Overall, I would definitely pick running with a few too many people over running by myself! Indianapolis marathon did not disappoint! It exceeded my expectations! Super fast course, great atmosphere- you should run it for sure!

Race Tips

Even pacing is probably best. Super flat but the only hills do come at about mile 15.5-17, a few ups and downs. Expect the start to be crowded but also decently easy to navigate to your appropriate corral. Not quite enough porta potties if you are someone who likes to go one last time at the absolute last minute like me.

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

We stayed in an Air BnB in "The Block" and it was super close to the start and a bit more affordable then the hotel rooms that close to the start. Lots of good food options nearby.

J's review of 2023 race.   

Review

Likes- Overall event very well managed and great race event!!

Dislikes- Please get more portable restrooms at starting line! Very inadequate for number of runners, 30+ min wait time.

Race Tips

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

Anonymous's review of 2021 race.   

Review

Race Tips

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

Anonymous's review of 2021 race.   

Review

No complaints about the race itself, but allow LOTS of time to get to the start corrals. Sidewalks on S. Capital were jammed (2021) with spectators, making it almost impossible to get to starting corrals. It took 20-25 minutes to walk about 2 blocks, and many of us were fearful we would miss the start of the race.

Race Tips

Water stations aren't well marked, so the first few can come as a surprise. On the positive side, the split at mile 7 between the marathon and the half marathon is the best I've ever seen.

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