CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
Indianapolis, United States · November · Independent
Why people love it
- Fast loop with about 92 m (302 ft) of gain; 18 to 19 percent of finishers qualify for Boston.
- Hotels, expo, start and finish all sit within a few blocks downtown.
- Cool November air: starts average 2 to 6 °C (36 to 42 °F).
- A loud finish through Monument Circle after a quieter middle.
Watch out for
- Sold out in August 2026; entry is now by waitlist.
- First miles are crowded and GPS drifts; start slowly to avoid fading after mile 20 (32 km).
- Early potholes and medians near the start; one runner reports rough pavement.
- Meridian Street rollers at miles 15 to 18 (24 to 29 km), then a quiet greenway.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.4
Of 51 race reports summarised by one aggregator, 45 were positive. Dissenters cite crowded early miles and a patchy middle, not the experience overall. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.2
A 2023 coach called the weekend streamlined. Gaps: an understaffed water stop near 19 km (12 mi) in 2024 and crowded corrals before 2025. · High confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.4
Flat loop, 7.5 hour cutoff, strong aid and a clear half and full split. A first marathoner called it fun in 2022. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAmong the fastest4.6
About 92 m (302 ft) of gain, 18 to 19 percent of finishers qualifying for Boston and 13 Olympic Trials qualifiers in 2025. · High confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryPleasant3.4
Downtown monuments, the State Capitol, Broad Ripple and tree-lined Meridian Street, then a quiet greenway. Pleasant city running, not spectacular. · Medium confidence
- Room to runRoomy3.6
First miles are crowded for many runners, with weaving and GPS trouble. Corrals were widened when the start moved in 2025. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceMixed3.4
Several runners report rough pavement and early potholes. Otherwise ordinary asphalt. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed3.6
Mostly closed, but one older half marathon runner noted stretches with one lane for runners and cars on the rest. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessMostly flat4.4
About 92 m (302 ft) of gain over 42.2 km (26.2 mi); one runner's Strava showed 110 m (361 ft). · High confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
A loop with no net drop. · High confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth4.0
Hotels sit at the start and the expo is a short walk away. Older reports mention extremely crowded corrals. · Medium confidence
- Pacers and timingGood4.2
A pace team and race app are used; a 2:55 group was packed through the first half in 2025. · Medium confidence
- Crowd supportStrong3.9
Loud at Monument Circle, mile 20 (32 km) and the finish, quieter on the north side and greenway. Reviews range widely. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood4.2
Stations about every 3.2 km (2 mi) with water, sports drink and gels. A coach called them abundant; one 2024 runner hit an understaffed stop. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm3.5
One older reviewer found it cold and windy, another a calm 2010. A 2023 race had 13 km (8.1 mi)/h (8 mph) wind. · Low confidence
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Starts average 2 to 6 °C (36 to 42 °F). Reports range from calm 7 °C (45 °F) to -1 °C (30 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.4
November in Indiana can be cold, windy or wet. 2022 was spotty and 2025 was calm. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.9
Monument Circle is visited twice, Riverside Park at mile 20 (32 km) is a known meeting point, and the finish is downtown. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.8
Between 213 and 237 m (699 and 776 ft) above sea level. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early2.9
One reviewer found no downtown rooms by 1 August, so book when you register. An official block exists. · Medium confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.7
Runners called hotels affordable and walkable to the start in 2025. No prices were found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalk to everything4.6
Hotels sit near the start, the expo is at the Indiana Convention Center, and start and finish are both downtown. · High confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.0
The airport is about 11 km (7 mi) from downtown, and Chicago, Cincinnati and Nashville are within a day's drive. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.4
Bib pickup and expo are called efficient and uncrowded, with a helpful race app. · High confidence
- Town and foodGood3.5
Pleasant downtown with Broad Ripple nightlife nearby. Few reviewers discuss dining. · Low confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inHard2.2
Sold out 13 straight years; 2026 sold out in August, the earliest ever, and only a waitlist remains. · High confidence
- Value for moneyGood value3.6
Fee unknown. Reviewers like the medal, on-course gels and post-race party, and none complain of overpricing. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Indianapolis, Marion County, United States
- Typical month
- November
- Latest or next date
- 7 November 2026
- Organiser
- Independent
- Field size
- About 6,600 athletes
- First held
- 2008
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Climbing
- 92 m (300 ft)
- Descent
- 92 m (300 ft)
- Start time
- 08:00
- Cutoff
- 7.5 hours
- Boston qualifier
- Yes
- Surface
- Asphalt city streets
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Yes
- Air temperature
- 2–11 °C (36–52 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate
- Altitude
- 213 m (700 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Indianapolis International (IND), 11 km (7 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Indianapolis, Near the Indiana Convention Center and Monument Circle
- Booking
- Hotels within a few blocks of start, expo and finish, with an official block. One reviewer found no downtown rooms by 1 August.
What racers and reviewers say
- FatMarathoner (2026 guide)Raced 2026 · article · Positive
Detailed guide. 92 m (302 ft) gain, start relocated to West Street, 7.5 hour cutoff, about 18 to 19% BQ rate and 17,500 across all events. Includes a mile by mile course walk-through. Partly drawn from organiser material.
- Team RunRun (Natalie Lutz, 2023)Raced 2023 · blog · Positive
Coach's PR of 3:00:10. Hotel at the start, streamlined expo, abundant aid, awesome crowds with quiet patches, a few early potholes and medians, perfect 11 to 13 °C (52 to 56 °F), 13 km/h (8 mph) wind.
“Big race feel with small race simplicity!”
- Lindsey Hein blog (2013)Raced 2013 · blog · Positive
Local coach account of the first miles by Lucas Oil Stadium and Mass Ave, the Fairgrounds, Broad Ripple turn and Meridian Street. Easy street parking, aid with Clif Shot Bloks. 2 minute PR (3:12:43 for the runner's marathon).
- Doug Masson blog (half marathon 2010)Raced 2010 · blog · Positive
Half-marathon runner calls it excellent, with good crowd levels and nicer than the Indy Mini. Sunny, cool at -1 °C (30 °F), no wind. Half, not full.
- Racecast (51 race reports)Raced 2025 · aggregator · Positive
45 positive and 6 mixed of 51 reports. Common themes: crowd energy peaks from mile 25 (40 km), crowded early miles and GPS issues, plentiful aid with some understaffed stops near mile 12 (19 km), and fatigue after mile 20 (32 km).
Show 5 more
- BibRave reviewsaggregator · Positive
Runners call it fast and flat with one noticeable hill near mile 16 (26 km), mixed crowd support, rough pavement, crowded corrals and tough hotel booking by August. Via search summary.
- WeeViews (first marathon)Raced 2022 · blog · Positive
First marathon, spotty weather but strong course and support: flat, fast and fun.
“Flat, fast, and fun!”
- Racecast 2025 race reports (Reddit-sourced)Raced 2025 · forum · Positive
Four 2025 runners (2:48 to 3:18) report perfect 7 °C (45 °F) with minimal wind. One flew in cheaply and walked to the start with an A corral 15 minutes before the gun.
- Beyond Monumental (sell-out release)Raced 2026 · article · Positive
Organiser release: the 2026 expanded marathon sold out in August, the earliest ever. Organiser source, entry facts only.
- PR Newswire (2025 milestones)Raced 2025 · article · Positive
Joseph Whelan 2:12:29 course record, Amanda Mosborg 2:32:01 women's winner, 13 Olympic Trials qualifiers.
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Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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