From race website: “The Eagle Creek Trail Marathon has been retired as of 2021. The new trail system on the west side of Eagle Creek Park substantially changes the character of the event so after 12 years, we have chosen to transition to a different race to complete the 4 race series we produce in the park.”
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The Eagle Creek Trail Marathon remains #1 for urban based trail marathons across the USA. Offering the quarter, half and full marathon distances, this race is one you won’t want to miss!
The Eagle Creek course is mostly single track through forested park around Eagle Creek Reservoir. About 90% of the course is extremely runnable, but there are a few sections with steep, but short hills with lots of roots. It allows you to open up your stride on the flat sections, yet has just enough technical sections to make it interesting.
There will be a little bit of everything…but mostly single track through the woods going over roots and branches. There is a grassy open section, and there is spot you will cross over a road and run on pavement for a short distance.
The out and back course is 13.1 miles in length, Half Marathoners will run this once and Full course racers will complete the course twice. All events start and finish at Eagles Crest following the trails to the south, crosses the causeway on 56th Street (street will be closed) and then north into the trail system on the east side of the park.
The Quarter Marathon distance does not cross 56th street, this distance will turn around at the “Big Bear” before the road crossing.
What You Get at the Race:
– An unforgettable experience running the “Best Urban Based Trail Marathon” in the country (Trail Runner Magazine, 2011)
– Choose either the super soft short sleeve unisex race tee in triblend black, or the racer favorite women’s racerback tank, also in triblend black. (or save some money and elect the “no shirt” option).
– Celebrate with 2020 Finisher Medal! This heavy duty 6″ black matte beauty will be yours when you cross that finish line!
– NEW for 2020! For finishers in the Half and Full Marathon, you’ll cross that line and grab the all new black stainless water bottle, Take It Outside! – Get Up. Get Out. Get Running.
– Free to download, professional, high-resolution, race photos. If you know us, we’ll have hundreds to choose from.
– Post-race snacks and beverages… including our famous snow cones!
– A self gratifying sense of accomplishment that you conquered an event that only a small number of people get to do each year (remember the field is limited and this event will sell out!)
Note: This race is limited to the first 600 racers to make sure the trails are not overcrowded and parking remains under control.
LESS
Great 2020 Race Experience!
Cannot say enough positive things about this race! Handled the COVID situation extremely well, but also just really nice, helpful race staff, and a fun race overall. Interesting and somewhat … MORE
Cannot say enough positive things about this race! Handled the COVID situation extremely well, but also just really nice, helpful race staff, and a fun race overall. Interesting and somewhat challenging course with unique aspects like running parts of the race on a strip of land with water on both sides. Plenty of rocks, roots, trees, wooden staircases, etc, to make this a more challenging trail race than would typically be expected of central Indiana! Also very nice race shirts and GIANT medals, if that’s your thing!
Underestimated Trail Marathon
Who knew Indianapolis, IN had a trail marathon? I live in the mountains of Virginia and frequent Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian trail with my family. We are used … MORE
Who knew Indianapolis, IN had a trail marathon?
I live in the mountains of Virginia and frequent Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian trail with my family. We are used to steep trail ascents and descents hiking up and over the Appalachian mountains. With the Eagle Creek Trail Marathon being held in the Indianapolis area, I was anticipating mostly flat, well-maintained trails for the 26.2 miles. However I would be in for a challenging surprise.
The course would wrap around the perimeter of Eagle Creek Park running from the west side of the Eagle Creek Reservoir over to the east side, looping around a small lake, and then heading back to the starting point. One lap would be a half-marathon distance, so that meant the marathoners would be looking at two laps. As for terrain it would be mostly dirt trail in the woods, with the lap portion around the lake taking place on a gravel road. Only a mile or so of each lap would be on paved surface where runners would cross over the reservoir via a 56th street bridge.
The trail was fairly narrow but made of well packed dirt, and with no rain for the past few days, the traction and footing was good. However every few minutes it seemed like there was a tree down across the trail in which you either had to jump over, or for several of the larger ones, stop and actually step over one leg at a time. The trail took us continually up and down hills, some of which had wooden crafted steps to get up them, and some of them did not.
I definitely underestimated this trail marathon and was not anticipating the heat and humidity to affect me as much as it did. As it turns out I was not the only one to have a tough time with the trail, as I finished 35th out of 66 runners. Come to find out 136 people signed up for the marathon…88 actually started it (meaning most switched over to the half-marathon distance prior to the start)…and only 66 actually finished. Despite my slow time, it made me proud that I completed the race under tough conditions and played it smart to ensure a finish to add another state to my list.
I highly recommend this trail race for trail runners looking for a nice challenge during the summertime! You can read my full race report at: https://runningriddles.com/races/the-2019-eagle-creek-trail-marathon-in-indianapolis-in/
A nice change from road racing!
Fun race. Extremely well organized. So much fun! Nice trails. I've run 3 different trail races put on by 131 Event Productions, and they have all been fantastic. They have … MORE
Fun race. Extremely well organized. So much fun! Nice trails. I’ve run 3 different trail races put on by 131 Event Productions, and they have all been fantastic. They have awesome tech shirts, great medals, free race pics, and snow cones at the finish line! They are well-organized with courses well marked and great aid stations staffed with wonderful volunteers. Races are reasonably priced and capped to keep the trails from getting too congested. I look forward to participating in more of their events in the future.
Very fun, runnable trail marathon
Mostly single track through forested park around Eagle Creek Reservoir. About 90% of the course is extremely runnable, but there are a few sections with steep, but short hills with … MORE
Mostly single track through forested park around Eagle Creek Reservoir. About 90% of the course is extremely runnable, but there are a few sections with steep, but short hills with lots of roots. It allows you to open up your stride on the flat sections, yet has just enough technical sections to make it interesting. One thing that could be improved is to make the medals specific to the distance and the year; the half marathon runners received the same bling as the marathon runners. I thought it was a very fun course though and would do it again if I was in the area.