The Mill Race Marathon benefits different organizations dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles in Columbus, IN. In our first ten years, we have donated over $720,000 to various charities. Our 2023 goal is to donate $40,000 to the Columbus Park Foundation and Healthy Communities!

The inaugural year for the Mill Race Marathon was 2013. 2023 is our event’s 11th year.

We hope to see 5,000 participants in this year’s event including the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K which all start at 7:30 am on Saturday and the Kids Run which starts at 6:00 PM on Friday.

Yes! The marathon course is flat and fast, an ideal race for your Boston qualifier!

Parking passes will be handed out at the “Parking Pass” table located to the far right of the packet pickup tables.

The Mill Race Marathon Expo will take place at the Commons at 300 Washington Street, Columbus, IN. Learn more at the Expo page on this website.

The Full & Half Marathon and 5k run start at 7:30 AM.

The race site is in downtown Columbus, Indiana. The start/finish line is near 6th Street and Washington Street.

The Columbus Running Club hosts a 17-week training for all race lengths. Training will start on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Learn more on the Training tab of our website.

Switching is completely fine! If you switch to a costlier event (“upgrade”), you will pay the difference between the entry fees of the two events. If you switch to a less expensive event (“downgrade”), there is no charge or refund.

For Upgrades:

Go to the event registration page and click on the event that you want to upgrade to.

Select the option showing the upgrade that you want.

Complete the upgrade registration online.

For Downgrades:

Go to the event registration page and click on the event that you want to downgrade to.

Select the option showing the downgrade that you want.

Complete the downgrade registration online.

After September 21st, event changes will need to be processed at the HELP TABLE at packet pickup. 

Strollers are only allowed in the 5K event, and only for walkers. Participants with a stroller must start in the back for safety purposes. For safety and insurance purposes, animals are not permitted on the race courses. 

The 5K course splits off at 3rd and Franklin Streets just past 2 miles.  The Marathon course splits off at Washington and 7th Streets just past 13 miles.

If participants of the Full Marathon do not reach this split by 10:55 a.m. (keeping a 15 minute/mile pace), they will be directed onto the Half Marathon course, and they will be official finishers of the Half Marathon being scored and timed accordingly. (As an official finisher of the Half Marathon, the participant will still be eligible for the truck drawing.)

The following items will be available at the Finish Line:

• Pretzels
• Granola Bars
• Bananas
• Snack Packs
• Water Bottles
• Gatorade (Blue)

Most water stops will offer both water and Gatorade. The water stop just before mile 6.7 will have a variety of GU Gel flavors.  The water stops near miles 16.3 and 19.8 will have a variety of GU Gel flavors. The GU Gel flavors for 2022 are; Jet Blackberry, Strawberry Banana, Chocolate Outrage, and Salted Carmel.

Special thanks to White River Running Company – the official Gel sponsor of the Mill Race Marathon and Half Marathon.

Portable restrooms are available along the courses as follows:
Half Marathon – at each of the 8 water stations along the course.
Full Marathon – at each of the 18 water stations along the course.

Yes, all finishers of the full marathon, half marathon, and 5K will receive a finisher medal. Finisher medals are uniquely designed to commemorate the race, the community, and the unique qualities of Columbus, Indiana. Check out our 20223 finisher medals here.

Yes – A link will be provided closer to race day.

Yes, that is allowed. You will need to bring a copy of their photo ID and a note from them (i.e. an email) that states that you have permission to pick up their packet. At Packet Pickup, you will also need to sign a form stating that you picked up their race packet.

Yes, that is allowed. They will need to bring a copy of your photo ID and a note from you (i.e. an email) that states that they have your permission to pick up your packet. At Packet Pickup, they will also need to sign a form stating that they picked up your race packet.

We are sorry that you will not be able to join us for this year’s event. Per the refund policy entries are non-refundable, however, we are happy to provide two options for you to choose from. If you are unable to participate then you may (1) Transfer your entry to another person by following the transfer process found in this FAQ, or (2) Request that your race shirt be mailed to you if you contact the race organization by Saturday, September 16, 2023.

If you are unable to participate due to pregnancy, injury, or military deployment, we offer deferrals to the 2024 event with appropriate documentation. Please submit either your doctor’s note stating injury/pregnancy or proof of deployment to info@millracemarathon.com by Saturday, September 9, 2023. To remain consistent with the administration of this policy, deferrals do not extend to anyone besides the injured, pregnant, or deployed participant and we must receive the documentation by September 9, 2023. Deferred entries cannot extend past the following year.

You may exchange your shirt after the race at the Mill Race Marathon Merchandise booth. Note – shirt exchanges after the race will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

No, there are no age restrictions, but parents must sign a waiver for any participant under the age of 18.

A complimentary gear check will be available inside the Commons on the main floor starting at 6:45 am. Please do not leave any valuables.

Yes, you may transfer your entry to another person by following these processes:

1. Go to the event registration page and click on the event that you are registered in.
2. Select the option to transfer your entry.
3. Complete the online transfer process. You will get a 7-digit code to forward to the person whom you are transferring your entry to.

Transfers must be completed by both parties online no later than September 20th at 11:59 PM. 

After September 20th
This can be handled at the Packet Pickup Help Table on Friday, September 22nd. Please send an email to the person receiving your entry stating that you indeed want to transfer your entry to them. This email must be brought to Packet Pickup as proof of the transfer.

The person receiving the entry will need to go to the Help Table and (1) fill out an entry form, (2) sign the waiver, (3) pay the $5 transfer fee, and (4) show your email giving them the entry.

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Yes! You can register at Packet Pickup on Friday, September 22nd. No Race Day Registration. Please go to the HELP TABLE to register.

Late fees apply to race weekend registration.  Register prior to race weekend and save!  (See registration prices at this link.)  

You can confirm your entry on our website here.

While discouraged for safety and awareness reasons, they are allowed.  Please do not put them on until mile 1, and please take them off the last mile of your race so you can hear instruction and encouragement on the course.  Since it will be impossible for us to enforce these guidelines, we ask that participants self-police this … especially at the starting line, for the sake of the safety and courtesy of all participants.

Yes! Beast Pacing Team will be back this year to pace you through the Marathon and Half Marathon races. 

The pace times are as follows: 

Full – 3:35, 3:40, 3:50, 4:05, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, Sweeper (6:48) 

Half – 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, Sweeper (3:57) 

Yes – lost and found is located at Gear Check inside The Commons.

We do not have a specific wheelchair division. If a wheelchair athlete participates, they would not be eligible for any of the runner awards, but they would be eligible for the truck drawing if they finish the full or half marathon.

We do not provide complimentary entries.

Yes, all 5K participants run together.

There is a 15-minute-per-mile time limit for the Marathon. There is also a 10-minute “grace period” to allow participants that much time to cross the starting line.

There is a 17-minute-per-mile time limit for the Half Marathon. There is also a 10-minute “grace period” to allow participants that much time to cross the starting line.

There is a 21-minute-per-mile time limit for the 5K. There is also a 10-minute “grace period” to allow participants that much time to cross the starting line.

Check out the awards for all events here.

Mill Race Marathon will follow the current guidance from CDC, IN and Bartholomew Co Health officers