COLUMBUS, Ind. — Mill Race Marathon organizers are planning to have this year’s race event in-person.
Laura Dudukovich, director of the Mill Race Marathon Planning Committee, said that organizers decided to open up registration this week as they’re becoming increasingly confident the event can be safely held on Sept. 25.
“We have connected with Columbus Regional Health, and all of our medical folks who help us support the event, as well as the city,” Dudukovich said. “With the number of (COVID-19) cases going down, and the vaccine becoming more available, everyone is just ready to get back to in-person and some level of normal.”
Dudukovich added that she feels like the organizing committee has become a “well-oiled machine” of public and private entities working together over the last nine years.
The full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) races are all on this year’s schedule. The annual Kid’s Fun Run and expo at The Commons are also planned for Sept. 24.
While this year’s course will be different, due to the opening of the new overpass at the intersection of State Road 46 and State Road 11, Dudukovich said runners will still zip by all of Columbus’ famous attractions. Dudukovich said organizers are currently working on creating a course map, which will be posted on its website soon.
This year, the first 300 women to sign-up for the half of full marathon, from Intentional Women’s Day (March 8) to Mother’s Day (May 9), will receive a free Mill Race Marathon training tank top. Tank tops will be shipped in June in the size selected during registration.
Also new this year: Every finisher will receive a free beer or non-alcoholic beverage of choice to celebrate their accomplishments during the Finish on 4th After Party.
Last year’s marathon was held virtually, with more than 300 individual participating. During the 2019 event, more than 3,200 runners and walkers competed.
Dudukovich said that more details, including any changes due to public health concerns, will be announced as the event draws closer. She said the No. 1 priority is promoting health and wellness, and that all decisions made in the coming months will reflect that.
With many races this spring canceled or moved to virtual formats due to COVID-19, the thought of holding the marathon in-person this fall has a lot of people in the community excited, Dudukovich said.
“We’re trying to be as normal as possible, but also will continue to plan and prepare and keep safe,” she said. “Everyone that I have talked to in the committee and outside just want to go back to in person. We want to go out and feel like it was before March of 2020.”
