2026 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Nov 7

2026 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Nov 7 Countdown

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Race Information

Race2026 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Nov 7
CityIndianapolis
Date2026-11-07 at 08:00
Field Size~6,674 runners
Time Limit7 hours
TimezoneAmerica/Indiana/Indianapolis
Official SiteBeyond Monumental
RegistrationRegister

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature6°C / 43°F
Humidity72%
Wind13 km/h
Rain Chance25%
Typical ConditionsCold, crisp early-November Indianapolis morning — prime PR weather

What to Prepare: Early November in Indianapolis usually delivers a cold start around 43°F / 6°C, warming only into the upper 40s–low 50s°F (8–11°C) by late morning — the kind of crisp, dry conditions that make this a PR factory. An 8:00 a.m. gun means a chilly first few miles, so throwaway gloves and a long-sleeve or trash-bag top you can shed are smart. Cold and calm is exactly what you want for a fast time, so resist the urge to overdress.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 13 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Course Profile

Course TypeCity loop
Elevation Gain92m
TerrainRoad (flat downtown and neighborhood streets)
ProfileOne of the flattest, fastest big-city marathons in the U.S. — built as a late-season Boston-qualifier and PR factory with only about +302 ft (92 m) of total climbing and a near-flat net profile (a few small rollers, most notably around miles 15–18). The course starts and finishes downtown near the Indiana State Capitol and Indiana State Museum, runs a largely north–south route past Monument Circle and the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument up North Meridian Street, and tours Indy's historic tree-lined neighborhoods — Fall Creek Place, Old Northside, Butler-Tarkington, Broad Ripple — plus a pass by Butler University and the Indianapolis Museum of Art grounds. USATF-certified and a Boston qualifier, with one of the highest BQ rates in New England (about 18.8% of finishers qualified in 2025).
Boston QualifierYes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2026 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Nov 7

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Featured In

Best Marathons for a PR 2026 Easiest Boston Qualifying Marathons 2027 Flattest Marathons 2026 Best Fall Marathons in 2026 (Sep-Nov) Best US Marathons 2026 Best Marathons for First-Time Runners Over 40 (2026) BQ Over 50

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and what time does it start?

The 2026 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is on Saturday, November 7, 2026, with the full marathon and half marathon starting together at 8:00 a.m. ET in downtown Indianapolis. The race traditionally runs on an early-November Saturday, alongside a half marathon and 5K.

How do you register for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, and how much does it cost?

Entry is open registration — there is no lottery — through the official site (monumentalmarathon.com), which uses the Haku registration platform on a tiered schedule that rises as race day nears. The event sells a marathon, half marathon, and 5K, so register early to lock in the lowest price before the field fills.

Is the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon course flat, and how much elevation gain is there?

Yes — it is one of the flattest, fastest marathons in the country, with only about +302 ft (92 m) of total climbing and a near-flat net profile. The single notable feature is a stretch of small rollers around miles 15–18; the rest is fast and flat, which is exactly why it is such a popular PR and Boston-qualifying race.

Is the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon a good Boston qualifier?

Yes — the course is USATF-certified and a recognized Boston qualifier, and its flat, fast profile with cold late-season weather makes it one of the highest BQ-producing marathons in the U.S. — about 18.8% of 2025 finishers ran a Boston-qualifying time. Check the time you need with our Boston Qualifying Calculator before you set a pace plan.

What is the start area and route like — what landmarks does it pass?

It is a city loop that starts and finishes downtown near the Indiana State Capitol and Indiana State Museum. The largely north–south route passes Monument Circle and the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument, heads up North Meridian Street, and tours Indy's most historic tree-lined neighborhoods — Fall Creek Place, Old Northside, Butler-Tarkington, and Broad Ripple — with a pass by Butler University and the Indianapolis Museum of Art grounds before turning back to the finish.

What is the time limit for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon?

The full marathon carries a 7-hour course limit — about a 16:00 per-mile pace — with the finish line closing at 3:30 p.m. Runners who fall behind that pace may be asked to move to the sidewalk to finish so streets can reopen on schedule.

How big is the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, and why is it a PR-friendly race?

The full marathon drew about 6,674 finishers in 2025, ranking it among the top 15 largest marathons in the U.S. The combination of a flat, fast, well-supported course and cold early-November conditions is what makes it a genuine PR and BQ factory — crisp air, a quick downtown loop, and one of the highest Boston-qualifying rates anywhere.

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