Santa Hustle Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis, IN
- Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
Save 10% w/code RRSANTA***It’s not just a race. It’s a magical experience. Come join the Santa Hustle® magic at White River State Park in Indianapolis. The Santa Hustle Race Series is more than just a run—it’s a magical holiday experience filled with festive fun, Christmas cheer, and a whole lot … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Dec 06):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 35 | 32 | 38 | 49 | 60 |
| L (°F) | 27 | 14 | 31 | 40 | 25 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Positive Vibes, Messy Organization
- Course was fine other than the canal, understood why the adjustment was made as construction made it so that the usual course could not be used. - The canal … MORE
– Course was fine other than the canal, understood why the adjustment was made as construction made it so that the usual course could not be used.
– The canal section was awful, great place to run casually, but not a great place to race at that pace with all of the twisting turns especially going up and out of the canal.
– Several runners that did not study the map got off track and were about 3 miles short on the course. The only reason I studied the map so hard was that I heard the same thing happened in last year’s race with runner’s getting off course and being short. The average runner that is not leading the race should know where to go and it just wasn’t clearly marked at all. There should have been someone on the canal making sure only those that did the full canal section left to go to Military Park.
– Announcer, music, and enviornment were all what I would expect for an event like this and it was generally a positive environment
– No splits throughout the race kinda stinked for how much the price was to get in, but again, I understand with potential budget restrictions.
– Missed the awards since it said online that they would be at 11:30 but I heard them going off at 10:45 while I was cooling down which caused me to miss it.
– Overall not the best race you will ever be a part of but still decent given nearly 300 runners in the half and 700 in the 5K.
Scenic and joyous run!
I appreciated the joyful attitude of the those running the event. Even on a rainy, gloomy day… they kept it fun! With the price of admission I was a little … MORE
I appreciated the joyful attitude of the those running the event. Even on a rainy, gloomy day… they kept it fun! With the price of admission I was a little disappointed with the selection of treats at the end of the run, but that’s minor.
Nice Race
The course is nice and flat. The swag is awesome! They do a nice job of running the race, but I was confused afterwards about the age group places. According … MORE
The course is nice and flat. The swag is awesome! They do a nice job of running the race, but I was confused afterwards about the age group places. According to results I finished 3rd in my age group, but the announcer said they weren’t giving out age group awards. Gave me a pat on the back and that was that. Maybe they need someone who knows what is going on with awards to run it.
Horrible course
I’ve done this half marathon almost every year since 2011 when in comes to Indy it has gone downhill every year This years half marathon course was terrible and confusing … MORE
I’ve done this half marathon almost every year since 2011 when in comes to Indy it has gone downhill every year This years half marathon course was terrible and confusing as I seen many runners getting off course or going the wrong way. I even wonder how many even ran 13 miles I didn’t win an award this time since I was coming off a tough 50k but there was none for the runners that did. The swag also has gone downhill with cheap shirts and average medals. Race price is also high and charge for race day pick up I will not be doing this race anymore
Gone downhill
This series used to be super fun, everyone got a Santa shirt, hat, and beard so there were thousands of Santa’s running down the road. Over the years the swag … MORE
This series used to be super fun, everyone got a Santa shirt, hat, and beard so there were thousands of Santa’s running down the road. Over the years the swag has gotten lower quality and this time the after area was non existent. Done this race 5 or 6 times and this was my last
Horrible route
The swag, the organization, the Start and Finish line are amazing, but the route…. The route is absolutely terrible. The first half of the half marathon is through a homeless … MORE
The swag, the organization, the Start and Finish line are amazing, but the route…. The route is absolutely terrible. The first half of the half marathon is through a homeless campground. Not just a tent under a bridge, but running out and back through many, many “sites” set up. The path is full of leaves, sticks, and mud. The smells in the air are nauseating, from trash, to fire, to bacon, to dog food, to manure. It was disgusting! I do not recommend this race unless the route is changed.
Course Distance inaccurate
Great swag. Easy course but it was long - 3.17 miles not 3.1. It doesn't sound like much but that is as much as 40 sec in additional time. And … MORE
Great swag. Easy course but it was long – 3.17 miles not 3.1. It doesn’t sound like much but that is as much as 40 sec in additional time. And really?! charging $5 for picking up packet on race day. For out of towners it is tough to pick up the day before.
Not a great course
I’ve done the Santa Hustle in Indy multiple times. The new course this year was absolutely awful. The first half of the race was just terrible, including unmanned water stops … MORE
I’ve done the Santa Hustle in Indy multiple times. The new course this year was absolutely awful. The first half of the race was just terrible, including unmanned water stops with no cups—just partially frozen jugs of water and no Gatorade made. It was cold, I get it. The water freezing, you can’t help. But not even having cups set ihr to runners could pour their own water? Ridiculous. Not to mention running through a couple homeless encampments didn’t really feel all that safe. I will make sure to check the course before I consider this race in the future. If it looks like it did this year, I’m out. Then the finish was already being taken down when I finished—under 3 hours. There is a 3:30 course limit. The last person that crosses at 3:30 paid the same race fee as someone who finished in 1:30–they deserve a good finish experience too. I’ve never see this race so poorly put together.
It was FANTASTIC!!!!
I really liked this race because the scenery was great. I loved how the course ran along the river. I would recommend this race to anyone even people who don't … MORE
I really liked this race because the scenery was great. I loved how the course ran along the river. I would recommend this race to anyone even people who don’t like to run.
Race use to be better
Done the half every year they had it here in indy. But it’s gone downhill big time 1st the course was average at best with water stops the 1st half … MORE
Done the half every year they had it here in indy. But it’s gone downhill big time 1st the course was average at best with water stops the 1st half of the race with no one there A confusing course as I saw many runners cut the course or just get lost And lame finish with most people and food gone and I was midpack I placed in my age group but saw no sigh of a awards ceremony and didn’t want to wait in the cold so I helped myself to a age group medal that were sitting in a box It’s to bad as this race use to draw huge crowds the 1st few years in indy. Also the lack of communication from the race.
Fun & Festive
This is a great race for fun and laughs! Costumes were great and there was a great range of runners from beginner to advance. The only negative I would have … MORE
This is a great race for fun and laughs! Costumes were great and there was a great range of runners from beginner to advance. The only negative I would have is at the beginning there is no room to try and pass the walkers so it took me a minute to get running.
Fun and Chilly Race
This race took place near the heart of downtown Indy. I had not visited in several years and appreciated the opportunity to explore the city as a runner versus typical … MORE
This race took place near the heart of downtown Indy. I had not visited in several years and appreciated the opportunity to explore the city as a runner versus typical visitor. I found the areas around the downtown area to be quite scenic, but there were some dull sections. It was literally freezing, so there was not any course entertainment and some water stops were self serve and I completely understand. I bought the Mrs. Claus package so I could be a total goober/cheerful runner. The post-race food was bananas, water, and hard vending machine cookies. I guess I should be happy that the race wasn’t too pricey and I got a lot of good swag for a low price. Also, one vendor had a fire pit that was a true life saver. They may want to have those warming lamps around for others who weren’t like me and pinned themselves up in the tent with the fire pit.
Some good, some bad, Ho ho ho.
Race begins and ends in a easy accessible area; parking and hotels. Packet pickup was easy, sweatshirt was nice and medal was nice. The race was well laid out and … MORE
Race begins and ends in a easy accessible area; parking and hotels. Packet pickup was easy, sweatshirt was nice and medal was nice. The race was well laid out and police presence was strong, with the course separated from traffic the whole time with cones, and mostly well signed. Its flat and the scenery was a decent tour of the city.
I had a big issue with the water stops and enough porta potties (timing with the 5k did not help. 5k started 15 minutes after the half and i waited for 20 minutes and did not get to go). There was an issue as there was no water (no volunteers) from mile 2 to mile 10. And also no porta potties “at the water stops” as was mentioned either. The tables were set up and boxes of cups and jugs of water were out but no one there to hand it out.