There's a 1 mile fun run series in Indy - it's put on by the local running store and the series is called Brew Mile. (the local running store is called Blue Mile.) These runs are about once a month? and are held at different breweries in the area. Indy is big on local craft brew, and we have at least 5-10 different breweries and brew pubs around the city. It's only $5, and you get a beer at the end. So, totally worth it. DD (8 years old) loves doing them because it's a managable distance for her, and she loves the craft beer atmosphere, since we're into it at home - both DH and I are home brewers, so DD knows a LOT about the brewing process, and we made her a little shirt that says "Assistant Brewer" that she loves to wear to these races.
There's another event called Tap & Run. It's a 4 miler in June, and the water stations all have malt and hops in the water, if you know what I mean.
(they are chug stations.)
Every Spring, Indianapolis hosts the country's largest half marathon - the 500 Festival Mini Marathon (known locally as "the mini"), with over 35,000 people! It is WONDERFULLY organized, and part of the course is 2.5 miles around the Indy 500 track. They have cool little catch phrases on shirts like "To the Track and Back" and "Kiss the Bricks" - a tradition - the finish line of the Indy 500 is a yard of bricks, and during the mini-marathon, people actually stop to kiss them, just like drivers do when they win the race. There are running race photographers stationed there to take your pic when you're crossing the brick-yard.
There's another in the fall - The Women's half. Last year was it's first year, and my first half by myself. It was so hot that it got black flagged when I was at mile 10. I went ahead and finished it. The thing I loved about this race was that it was sponsored by Paul Mitchell, so there were free manis and pedis at the expo, free mini-massages at the expo, and at the finish line, in addition to getting snacks and all the normal post-race stuff, everyone got a rose, free beer (local brewery was a sponsor as well), and a little beauty packet (samples, a really nice comb) including a coupon for a free haircut that was good for the rest of the month at the local Paul Mitchell salon school.
Another in the fall near my house (in the burbs) is called "Wine at the Line." It is put on by a local winery. Last year was it's 2nd year, and I heard there were over 5,000. It's a 5k or 5 miler, and it starts and ends at the winery. The courses go over the country roads, through their small cattle farm (the winery sells their own grass-fed beef), and back to the winery. At the end, you get a Wine Glass filled with their wine, if you want. DD liked this one too. (Oh, and you get a long sleeved shirt at packet pickup).
Last year, The Mini was my first half marathon, and I was scared because there are SO many people. But omg, it was so well organized, there were people cheering you on the whole course, there are bands along the way, at least one a mile. The local high schools all had their cheerleaders along the Indy 500 track to cheer you on, and there was some sort of competition between them, about who carried out the theme the best. It's awesome, and I highly encourage others to try it. There were runners and walkers of every shape, size, ability, and age. I crossed the finish line just behind a 9 year old kid!
As I just started doing races last year, I'm looking forward to finding the more "unique" ones in my area!
This is a cool idea for a thread. Sorry I'm so long winded!
