The Carmel Marathon is a mostly flat to slightly rolling course with approximately 140 feet between the high and low points of the course.
The start and finish lines are located north of the Palladium at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and City Center Drive. The marathon course highlights the picturesque views of Hamilton County, Carmel Clay Parks trails and the Arts and Design District before returning to the Center for the Performing Arts.
The marathon consistently ranks as one of the best Boston Qualifying Marathons in the U.S.
The Carmel Marathon was the 78th largest marathon in the U.S. last year and was the 72nd largest in 2022.
This year 21% of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon and 22% of runners qualified for Boston in 2023.
This gives the Carmel Marathon the 42nd highest percentage of Boston Marathon qualifiers in the U.S. last year and the 42nd highest percentage so far in 2024.
Its Course Score of 98.86 ranks it as the 225th fastest marathon course in the U.S. and the 3rd fastest course in Indiana.
The typical race time temperature and humidity levels are within the ideal range for optimal marathon performance. This, coupled with the Course Score, gives the Carmel Marathon a PR Score of 98.86. This PR Score ranks it as the 167th fastest marathon in the U.S. and the 2nd fastest in Indiana.
Learn more about PR Scores and Course Scores on the FAQ page.
Carmel Marathon Elevation Chart
Max Elevation: 880 feet (268m) Min Elevation: 739 feet (225m)
I loved everything about this race. The route was fantastic! I feel like the “hills†were almost the kinds that you’re thankful for - they change up your stride just enough, but none of them last very long. I would 100% do this race again!
Every police officer, volunteer, or anyone associated with the event team was delightful and encouraging.
This was my 1st marathon in 2018 and then my fastest (BQ) in 2021. 2018 was super windy, so they had to shut down the end of race concessions. 2021 was ideal conditions all the way around. Good race support and fan support.
Race Tips
It's downhill at the start, so dont go out too fast. It's mostly flat with many slightly rolling hills. Dont believe the "flat" and train for the hills. Beware miles16-22 is a constant climb that can be daunting if you're struggling. "It goes on forever!" Regardless, this race (typically) has ideal weather and if you trained properly and run a smart race, you will PR.
This marathon is disappointing. The half and full runners stay together for the entire half! There are plenty of water stations, but they used water straight from the fire hydrants and it tasted so bad I was afraid to drink it for fear of getting sick. Because there are so many runners together, there are not nearly enough port a pottys. The lines are very long until past mile 13. There is absolutely zero nutritional support at any aid station. There are plenty of first aid station though, although I did not use them I thought that was a good idea. The volunteers are very nice and enthusiastic. It is such a horrible feeling to come up to the finish line and have to stay to the left and pass it to continue on for another 13.1 miles. But, the absolute worst part is that they pack up things more than two hours before the time limit and there is NOTHING except water for the last finishers of the Full Marathon. I ran 26.2 miles and choose at mile 20 to stay with and encourage another runner that was ready to quit and so my time was 5:28. We only received a bottle of water. Nothing else. And, there was still over an hour to go until it was over. We were supposed to get pancakes. They were gone, the chocolate milk was gone, all the vendors were gone. It made you feel like a loser.
Race Tips
Water that is actually healthy to drink. Nutritional support. Don't act like the race is over more than 2hrs before everyone finishes.
Expo was great, good swag bag, course is not flat rolling hills. Aid station every mile, solid crowd support. Post race was weak but might be due to all the rain. Start line wasnt organized.
Race Tips
Good for locals, not sure I would travel for this race
4.3 Stars from 11 Reviews
