17 running, walking, cycling, and other events in Carmel, Indiana

Let's get the gals together on Galentine's Day, 2/13, to run for Free to Move - for Alyssa Lokits. If you cannot make it in person, you can run your miles virtually.

The in-person version of this race will be in Carmel, IN on the Monon Trail.

After interviewing Abby Lokits for the Finish Lines & Milestones podcast (EP 142), I wanted to do something to help raise awareness (and some donations) for Free to Move.

About Free to Move

Free to Move was founded in honor of Dr. Alyssa Lokits, a beloved advocate whose unwavering love for others, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to progress left a lasting impact. Alyssa was a strong, independent, and compassionate person who deeply cared about empowering others, especially women. Her commitment to safety, support, and community continues to inspire us every day.

Alyssa was an active woman who loved running and holistic health, and she always believed in the importance of physical activity for both mind and body. Tragically, her life was taken in a senseless act of violence while she was simply out for a run, a place where she felt safe and free. ​

Alyssa’s legacy lives on through our mission to foster a safer, stronger world for women, focusing on their safety, empowerment, and education. We are committed to carrying her vision forward by creating a community where women can be free to exercise, move, and live without fear.

The Foremiler will be on a

weekend in February 2026

We are trying a different approach.

Winters in Central Indiana are crazy

Just look at the past Christmas !

So I will look at the weekends in February, the conditions of the paved cart paths and make a call

on a Saturday or Sunday to run!

We ask you register online ( to fulfil the waiver )

Cost at registration is at no charge

This gives me a estimate of those interested if they can make that date

Raceday bring CASH of $15.

We will be donating profits to the

Humane Society of Hamilton County

The run is on all paved cart paths

If you have not run before you should be impressed with the course

More info at

iwant2run.com

The Oldest Race in the State of Indiana and the Flagship Race of our club - Indy Runners and Walkers! Initiated in 1970 by educators and coaches from Carmel High School, and managed by our volunteer led, not-for-profit club since the early 80's, Sam Costa has the legacy, charm, and friendly participant experience you would expect from a race put on by runners for runners. The Half is a test of early season fitness for those who train all winter. The Quarter provides a distance to build on for those with aspirations for longer events later in the Spring. Either way, the Sam Costa has a place for you! There is a 3-hour time limit for the Costa. This equates to a 13:44 pace for the Half Marathon (27:28 for the Quarter). Walkers are strongly encouraged to select the Quarter Marathon.

The Sam Costa is brought to you by Indy Runners and Walkers, Indiana's largest RRCA-affiliated running and walking club. All net proceeds from the race benefit the Indianapolis running and walking community by providing high school scholarships, the healthy promotion of walking and running as a lifestyle activity and competitive sport, seasonal training programs, community runs/walks, and so much more.

Special thanks to our hosts at Northview Church in Carmel, the Costa venue since 2006, for their hospitality and for providing a warm indoor space in their Student Activity Center for pre-race and post-race activities.

You've trained all winter. Now, it's time for the last long run before the Carmel Marathon (register here!).

This event is free for Carmel Runners Club members (see your newsletter for a discount code) and $15 for nonmembers (join CRC now to get this discount and more!).

On Saturday, March 28th at 8am (announcements at 7:45) at Union Brewing Co, join Carmel Runners Club for a preview run of the Carmel Marathon Weekend races. There will be a 20 mile preview course for full marathon, an 11 mile preview course for the half marathon, and a shorter option on the Monon Trail for 10k and 5k participants or anyone looking to get in a few miles that day. These are un-timed fun runs. Each route will cover as much of the respective course as possible. These events will be open course, and roads will NOT be closed. Please use caution and stay on sidewalks or the Monon Trail while running.

Check out the courses below:

• 20 Mile: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/gp/bookmark/view/id/7779040

• 11 Mile: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/gp/bookmark/view/id/7700874

• Short Course (3 mile): http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/gp/bookmark/view/id/7700884

The event includes the run, as well as the post-run social where food and one beverage will be provided by CRC, UBC, and the Carmel Marathon. This is always a great event. You won’t want to miss out!

Learn more about Carmel Runners Club and join the club at http://www.carmelrunners.net/

This event will run per the Carmel Runners Club weather policy, with no refunds will be offered for cancellations due to weather or other reasons.

Saturday, April 18, 2026

One of the 50 largest marathons in the US!

Consistently ranks in the top-25 of marathons to BQ (per marathonguide.com)

Includes a half marathon, 10K and 5K!

Come to Carmel, Indiana, voted one of the best small town suburbs in the US. Our unique race-day format includes all race distances utilizing the same start AND finish line! This allows participants to arrive, prepare and start together then easily find each other at the finish. Marathon and half marathon runners start together in the south two lanes with the 10K and 5K together in the north two lanes of City Center Boulevard. The four lanes are separated by a grass medium for 300 yards until the first turn where the courses turn in opposite directions. The official start/finish area and all race activities are located next to the Palladium Music Center, at the corner of 3rd Avenue and City Center Drive. Free parking, beer garden and more. Join us!

Why should you run Carmel? Here are the most common answers from our runners when surveyed:

• One of the flattest and fastest Midwestern marathon and half marathon courses in the Spring

• A race distance for everyone in your running group (offering a marathon, half marathon, 10K & 5K)

• All races are on Saturday starting at 8:00 AM (10K and 5K) and 8:10 AM (marathon and half)

• Marathon course is a USATF Certified Boston Qualifier and has consistently been one of the 50 fastest in the US

• Event offers both marathon AND half marathon pacers with marathon pacers running Boston qualifying times

• Easy FREE parking at the expo and the start/finish area

• Great fitting, gender specific shirts that actually breathe and are light weight

• Custom-designed finisher medals unique for each distance

• Finish line recovery area features the Indiana Spine Group Pancake Village serving pancakes to runners

• Official Beer Garden features free beer to celebrate your day

• Same start and finish location makes it ideal for spectators and families

• Water and Gatorade approximately every 1.5 miles

Race Week Details

• Please click here for all race week information.

Let's Ride on Saturday!

Bring the whole family out for a fun Saturday morning! The action starts first thing in the Bike Rodeo with ramps, rumble strips, slalom cones, and a rainbow finish tunnel!

Bike Carmel Family Fun Ride

After you check out the rodeo, visit with Carmel Police. Get a caricature drawn of you and your family. And jump in one of Carmel’s fire trucks with Chief Moriarty!

Bike Carmel Family Fun Ride at Carmel Elementary (5/9 and 6/20)

Join us for a morning of bikes, smiles, and community at the Bike Carmel Family Fun Ride! Perfect for riders of all ages and skill levels, this event is designed to help kids build confidence on their bikes in a safe, fun environment.

Kick off the morning in our interactive Bike Rodeo, a closed-course parking lot skills area where young riders can practice starting, stopping, and steering. Plus, don't miss out on getting a free custom caricature drawing! Mid-morning, everyone will group up for a fun, casual neighborhood ride led by Coach Matt, before heading back to the school for even more time in the Rodeo.

Event Schedule:

• 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Check-in, ride the Bike Rodeo skills course, and get your caricature drawn!

• 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Group neighborhood ride led by Coach Matt.

• 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: More time to practice skills in the Bike Rodeo!

What to Bring: Your bicycle, a well-fitting helmet (required for all riders), and a big smile. We can’t wait to ride with you!

Bike Carmel Family Fun Ride: Firehouse Parade Edition (6/6 and 7/11)

Sirens, fire engines, and bicycles—oh my! We are teaming up with the Carmel Fire Department for a very special edition of the Bike Carmel Family Fun Ride.

The morning starts at Carmel Middle School with our classic Bike Rodeo, where kids can test their handling skills on our safety course, plus enjoy free caricature drawings! Then, get ready for the main event: a spectacular bicycle parade safely escorted by CFD's very own Chief Moriarty in a real fire engine! The parade will roll from the school directly to the Carmel Fire Safe House, where families will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and the fire museum.

Event Schedule:

• 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Check-in at Carmel Middle School, ride the Bike Rodeo, and get your caricature drawn!

• 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM: The CFD Fire Engine Parade departs for the Safe House, followed by an interactive facility and museum tour.

• 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Head back to the school for more time in the Bike Rodeo!

What to Bring: Your bicycle, a well-fitting helmet (required for all riders), and your sense of adventure. See you at the starting line!

PLEASE READ REGISTRATION DETAILS

• Thank you for your interest in Pup Running, Inc. We look forward to a cooperative effort in order to hold after-school practices as well as three (3) track meets.

• Pup Running is offered to ALL CCS 4th and 5th graders.

-- Registration cost for after-school practices and the 3-meet series is $19 plus processing fees. Team t-shirts are offered for purchase for $10. While shirts are OPTIONAL it should be noted that approximately 90% of participants order shirts. Shirts are custom; therefore no refunds, no late orders can be accepted.

-- The 3 meets are: Wednesday, April 29th; Tuesday, May 5th; and Thursday, May 14th @ the Carmel HS Track beginning at 6:30 pm. Practice schedule for your specific school club will be posted on our website as soon as it is determined by your school.

-- The school you select will determine your team t-shirt design and color as well as delivery!

-- The email you provide will receive important updates throughout the season as well as send a confirmation email of registration.

-- There are NO LATE REGISTRATION & NO REFUNDS. Registration will close April 1st. FINAL rosters are sent to the schools April 2, 2026. In the interest of safety, we do NOT make changes to the rosters as it adds confusion during the very hectic school dismissal time. The Pup Running season is very short; therefore, once registration closes, bibs, t-shirts and ribbons are ordered in preparation for our fast-approaching first meet. Please help us spread the word about registration and the FIRM deadline!

NOTE: Select "I am completing this form for "SOMEONE ELSE" and enter your runner's information as it should appear on their race bib. PARENT/GUARDIAN's email addresses MUST be provided to receive in-season communication and race results. PARENT/GUARDIAN's name should also be on the waiver. All other information should be with respect to the runner.

Registration fees