Christmas in July Half Marathon and 5K (Indianapolis)

Welcome to the 8-Hour Dream Endurance Race — Indiana’s Largest Endurance Running Event!

The Dream is a fixed-duration endurance race with one simple goal: go as far as you can in eight hours. Run, walk, or stroll — every mile counts. Held on Butler University’s iconic campus, The Dream has become the largest endurance running event in Central Indiana and continues to break participation records year after year. In fact, the event has sold out FIVE years in a row, driven by an incredibly high percentage of returning runners.

Spending a full day outside historic Hinkle Fieldhouse feels like a "running tailgate" — part competition, part celebration — all while testing your physical and mental limits. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

The Course

Throughout the day, participants can choose between:

• The Long Course (5K)

• The Short Course (1.91 miles)

Runners may switch between courses at any time to manage strategy, seek shade, or dial in a target distance. Both courses feature the now-famous Bulldog’s Revenge Hill, a defining challenge of The Dream.

Ways to Participate: There are three ways to be part of the action:

• SOLO – Take on all eight hours yourself

• TEAM – Share the challenge with teammates

• Cat Nap 5K – A single-loop 5K starting at the same time as The Dream, perfect for family and friends who want to join the opening lap with SOLO runners

Team Categories & Divisions include:

• Categories: Female, Male and Coed

• Divisions within each category: 3–4 person team or 5–6 person team

Coed Team Requirements:

• 3–4 Person Teams: 3 runners → minimum 1 female | 4 runners → minimum 2 females

• 5–6 Person Teams: 5 runners → minimum 2 females | 6 runners → minimum 3 females

RC Cup is Back: The coveted cup goes to a local running club logging the most miles. Four different running clubs have captured The Cup over the last seven years. Will we have a new club take home the trophy in 2026

• Run Clubs must be certified nonprofit running clubs with non-profit status

• Require 6-person coed teams (3 males, 3 females)

• Running clubs can only enter one team in the RC Cup, but may also enter additional teams in the OPEN division

Post-Race Celebration: What truly sets The Dream apart is more than the miles: The post-race party includes a FREE cookout, live music, beer garden and the Podium Ceremonies. After a long day, free food, drink and smiles is the only way to close the book on The Dream.

Whether you’re chasing miles, cheering teammates, or soaking in the atmosphere, The Dream delivers eight unforgettable hours.

Join us for the Seventh Annual CT5K!

• you can walk or run the race, starting in the CKS parking lot, on 8/9 at 7:30 am OR

• you can walk or run it virtually and share your proof of running/time OR

• you can stay in bed and think about all those crazy people who got up to walk or run 3.1 miles on a Saturday morning!

Cost is $35 per individual or $140 for a family living in the same household (up to 8 people)

*registrations received after August 4th will not receive a shirt.

Please contact Shannen Priser at [email protected] with any questions or if you are interested in volunteering.

Join us in remembering all murder victims and help fight for their justice.

DNA 5K: Run for ‘Hope’, Stand for Justice

Inspired by Carmen Hope VanHuss, and

In Partnership with CRIME STOPPERS OF CENTRAL INDIANA

We aim to raise money for advanced DNA testing to uncover crucial answers,

and ensure that the pursuit of justice continues for those who no longer have a voice.

With over 7000 cold cases in Indiana, DNA testing is critical in the pursuit of justice for these families.

And while we are lucky this technology exists, tests can run in the tens of thousands of dollars for one case depending on what is needed. Therefore, substantial fundraising is needed to ensure this crucial testing is accessible in a timely manner to all who need it. Please help us in this important pursuit!

*Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana is a 501(c)3 Organization -any donation you make is tax deductible.

Ready to get your run and groove on? Join us for the Opening Act 5K run/walk positioned to kick off Carmel PorchFest. You will be "part of the show" by participating. Strategically timed with a 10:30 AM start on Sunday, you will have time to finish, socialize then walk through MidTown to the start of PorchFest, just three blocks away. MidTown is in the DORA district so if you partake in an adult beverage, you are free to walk around MidTown with the special cup we provide. Enjoy post-race refreshments, music and more with specials from MidTown restaurants.

This timed 5K will include age group awards, medals and official event shirt. The course starts and finishes on the Monon Blvd at MidTown and takes runners north on the Monon, west towards Meadowlark Park then south to City Center Drive then back north to the finish.

THE BIG NEWS! This is where you are a part of the show! A jazz band will arrive at 11:45 AM and march the group north on the Monon to the start of PorchFest!! Think Mardi Gras fun coming to Carmel.

Proceeds benefit the Carmel PorchFest Grant Program, the program created to provide financial support to students interested in the musical arts to cover such items as new instruments, lessons, schooling, musical opportunities, etc. in exchange for volunteer hours.

Join us for this inaugural event to make it a tradition of running, music and fun!