Bringing a Weekend of Running to Carmel

Todd Oliver spearheads a weekend of running events kicking off on June 11, 2011.

The city of Carmel continues to evolve into a world-class city, celebrating new exhibitions and partaking in new experiences. On Saturday, June 11, 2011, Carmel will host the USA Track and Field (USATF) Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend. The USATF is an Indianapolis based organization, charged with keeping the rules and records for all the United States track and field competitors and events. This national governing body is for the sports of track and field, cross country running, road running and racewalking. The USATF is a nonprofit organization that has nearly 100,000 members. President Stephanie Hightower and CEO/Executive Director Doug Logan are at the helm of the organization. USATF is responsible for an array of track and field events for youth programs, masters (age 40+) competition, the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, coaching education, sports science, athletic development, and annual meetings.

The Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend encompasses a series of races, which include a 26.2-mile marathon, a 13.1-mile half marathon, a one-mile family fitness walk, and an 8K event that has attracted hundreds of runners from across nation, competing for a sizable prize purse. This is one of many national races where runners will acquire points, leading them towards a possible run in the 2012 Olympics in London, England. The racing events will be in close proximity to Carmel’s new Performing Arts Center, which is set to have opening festivities during the week of January 22-30, 2011. The Center will boast a state-of-the-art, acoustically perfect 1,600-seat concert hall (which has been dubbed The Palladium), a 500-seat proscenium theater, and a 200-seat studio theater. This national championship track and field event has traveled across the country spanning from Georgia, Minnesota and the West Coast, as well as the acclaimed Central Park in New York City.

“All of our hard work is paying off by being awarded the opportunity to host this national marathon,” said William Knox, director for Hamilton County Sports Authority. “I am truly excited because this championship marathon will bring national exposure and positives for the city of Carmel.” What makes this year’s competition unique and unlike any other track and field event hosted by USATF, is that the race will now take place in the organization’s home state – Indiana.

The Carmel Road Racing Group, as well as other civic and community organizations, has played an integral role in the promotion and execution for this event. Todd Oliver, president of Carmel Road Racing Group, has laid the groundwork for the initial planning of this major event. “This is truly an exciting moment in the history of Carmel,” said Oliver. “We are already receiving out-of-state runners registering for the race, and we are 11 months away from the marathon!”

The series of races encompassed within the marathon will be a welcome addition to several other events that are attracting world-class runners into the greater Indianapolis area. The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the Indianapolis Marathon and Half Marathon, along with the Geist Half Marathon, have showcased distance runners and created a large impact in Indianapolis. With the addition of the Carmel Marathon Championship Weekend, Indiana will continue to shine as a hub for competitive running. Some may wonder about the significance of this event. The event will generate a positive economic impact on Hamilton County because of the efforts put forth by Carmel Mayor James Brainard, Carmel’s City Council, the Hamilton County Sports Authority, along with several other stakeholders.

“This will place Carmel on the national sports map,” said Kevin Rider, Carmel City Council at-Large member. “A big thank you goes out to the USA Track and Field organization. We are glad to be partnering with them because they are a huge organization within the sports realm.” Having this event will support the continued growth to the Indianapolis economy. Specifically for Carmel, this event would generate residual financial benefits to new and existing businesses, further boost a spirit of civic pride, as well as continue to establish solidarity with the United States marathon community.

Marty Day, co-owner of Runners Forum in Carmel.

“This is a big deal for Carmel,” said Marty Day, co-owner of the Runners Forum. “The city of Indianapolis is the stage for many major sporting events such the NCAA Championships, Indianapolis 500 and the upcoming 2012 Super Bowl. Carmel has a very active running community, and this event will further draw attention to the diversity and competitiveness of Carmel with other key cities throughout the nation.”

The race is set to begin and end on City Center Drive, which is directly near the Palladium. Doug Logan, CEO of USATF, believes it is important to take and highlight this sport within the breath of this country. “This upcoming event is in the heartland, middle America!” said Logan. “This marathon has traveled all throughout the United States, and now for the championship race to be where this organization is headquartered – is truly rewarding.”

With anticipated numbers reaching well over 7,000 people for all four events, Carmel is sure to leave a strong and favorable “track and field” footprint on this marathon for years to come.