Registrations increase by more than 80 percent; sellout likely for full marathon
CARMEL, Ind. (Dec. 2, 2013) – The Carmel Marathon Weekend will return on April 12, 2014 for its fourth annual event including a full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay and 8K. Event organizers anticipate back-to-back record-setting participation for 2014. In 2013, the Carmel Marathon and Carmel Half Marathon were the fastest-growing half and full marathon in Indiana based on percentage growth. For 2014, current total registration numbers for the Carmel Marathon, Carmel Marathon Relay, Carmel Half Marathon, and Horizon Bank 8K are trending 88 percent ahead of 2013.
In only its third year, the 2013 Carmel Marathon grew to become the second largest marathon in Indiana, with a 30.5 percent increase in finishers from the previous year. The Carmel Half Marathon also saw a large bump in finishers, with a 36.6 percent increase. The popular 13.1-mile distance race was also ranked in the top-10 for half marathon finishers in the state moving up 3 positions in the top 10 ranking. Carmel Road Racing Group, the event management and consulting group for the Carmel Marathon, expects the marathon to reach its registration capacity and sell out before April. To date, participants are registered from 28 states and four countries.
“With a few years under our belt holding the race in April, following the change from our inaugural date in June, I think runners are circling our date as their kickoff spring event,” said Todd Oliver, president of Carmel Road Racing Group and race director for the Carmel Marathon Weekend. “We’re one of the first full and half marathons in the spring, therefore we get a lot of people who trained through the winter and are ready for that ideal ‘race day temperature’ for a PR and/or Boston-qualifier. In 2012, we were rated as one of the top 50 courses in the U.S. to qualify by MarathonGuide.com. That really put us on runners’ radars.”
In 2013, the Carmel Marathon Relay was added to event giving individuals, families, co-workers, and friends the chance to run the full marathon course with a team of two, three or four. The Marathon Relay utilizes the same course and start time as the marathon giving relay members the opportunity to experience the marathon course. The relay will return in 2014 with the addition of a corporate division. The third annual event in 2013 also introduced the disabilities division, with pushrim and handcycle competitors as well as non-traditional, human-powered wheelchair users.
Carmel Road Racing Group is also working to grow partnerships with local businesses. The Carmel Marathon Weekend recently added Horizon Bank and Lanter EyeCare to its list of existing sponsors, which includes Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP, Tom Wood Automotive Group, Indiana Vein Specialists, Miler64, Dr. Michael Helms, Salon 01, PowerAde, Pedcor, and Hamilton County Sports Authority. St.Vincent Carmel Hospital will continue to as the official medical partner of the event.
Early bird pricing for the 2014 Carmel Marathon Weekend is available through Dec. 31, 2013. For more information and to register, please visit www.CarmelMarathon.com.