Carmel Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Home » Races » Indiana » Carmel » Carmel Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Date

Apr 18, 2026

Starting Time

8:00 AM

Course

Road

Fees

$85+

Location

Carmel

Participants

1,000-10,000

Terrain

Fast & Flat

Environment

Urban

Temperature
High: 59°
/ Low: 38°
Overview

This small city that was voted by Money Magazine as one of its top 20 places to live in the U.S. in 2010 plays host to the 14th annual running of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend, a series of four races that features both a full and a half marathon in addition to a 10K and a 5K. All four running events follow out-and-back courses that start and finish in the heart of Carmel’s Arts and Design District, where the city’s newly built Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts stands, along City Center Drive.

From the starting line in front of the Palladium, runners in the half marathon head out on what is basically a counter-clockwise loop route through the city, along a combination of city streets as well as just over a mile along the Carmel Creek Park trail.

Both the half marathoners and the full marathoners start the race together, running the entire half marathon together. Those running the half will cross the finish line back at the Palladium while the full marathoners keep going for the second half of the marathon west of the half marathon route.

Course Description

After going south from the start line for two miles on Westfield Boulevard, the race turns left onto Hazel Dell Road. Save your energy for this part of the race–while the first half of the race is mostly downhill, the slightly uphill climb begins here, making the second half of the race more interesting (and challenging).
After mile seven, the long stretches of road end as runners continue northward and westward, along turns on Lumberlost Drive, Main Street, Hawthorne Drive, and Smokey Row Road, before turning right onto the Hagan Burke Trail. The trail winds southwest along the creek briefly on its way to meet up with the Monon Trail. Runners then turn onto the Monon Trail for a brief stretch and then turn again onto Smokey Row Road, and then start the last few miles of the race that bring them back into the section of town known as Olde Town Carmel.

Ready to sign up?

Train with Runna

Use code HALF for 2 weeks FREE

Ready to sign up?

Half marathon news, reviews, and discounts right to your inbox

Half Marathon Guide's 'Perfect For'

Let others know what makes this race so special.