Knobstone Trail Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Saturday, October 14, 2023 • Martinsville, IN • Course Map

Get ready for a rugged trail race with plenty of steep hills, long flat stretches and long ascents broken by switchbacks at the Knobstone Trail Mini Marathon, 10K & 5K, which takes place as the fall leaves are turning every fall in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest about 35 miles south of Indianapolis.

You’ll definitely want to be prepared to run in a trail environment and have the proper footwear (e.g., trail shoes) at this race, but if you’re up for the challenge the view is reportedly spectacular from the ridges and hills along the wooded forest trails. At the race’s 2013 running, just over 120 runners crossed the finish line in the half marathon alone.

The race starts and finishes near the intersection of Beanblossom Road and the Main Forest Road, just off Old Highway 37 that runs north to Martinsville, the town that serves as the headquarters of the runners club that organizes the race, the Hoosier Hikers’ Council.

To get there, take U.S. Highway 37 south from Indianapolis to Martinsville, and proceed 4 miles south from town until you see the signs for the state forest and the race.

From the starting line, the race takes a mostly counter-clockwise route along an out-and-back loop course through the forest, taking runners over flat stretches like Tincher Ridge, Gorley Ridge and Shipman Ridge, as well as plenty of challenging uphill and downhill stretches in between.

The race finishes with a final loop along the State Forest service road, as runners end back at the starting line at Mason Ridge.

The trail for the race is reportedly a “well-groomed” trail, and the race is generally clearly marked each year with five water stations and radio communications dispersed throughout the course. While you’re in town, there’s plenty of camping, hiking and outdoors to enjoy — many runners camp overnight in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest, or stay in nearby Martinsville or Nashville.

Participants who don’t wish to run the 13.1 miles through the forest for the mini-marathon can instead take part in any of the event’s other races that day — which include a 10-mile race, 10K, and 5K for runners and walkers. The number of entrants for the race is limited to 300, so sign up early!

Race Weather & Climate

Located just outside the Morgan-Monroe State Forest between Bloomington and Indianapolis, the town of Martinsville tends to see moderately warm summers and mild-to-cool weather conditions in the fall, with record temperatures in October as low as 15°F (in 1952) and as high as 92°F (in 1953).

On race day (Oct. 14), the average low is 40ºF and the average high is 67ºF.

Past Results

Course Map

See the race route map for the Knobstone Trail Half Marathon here.

Starting Time

  • 9:00 AM

Fees

$20

Registration

To reserve your spot in the 2023 running of the Knobstone Trail Mini Marathon, 10K & 5K, register online at the event website here.

Official Race Website

www.hoosierhikerscouncil.org

Comments

Ever run in the Knobstone Trail Half Marathon? Share your impressions here, or post your review in the Comments below.

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