Mill Race Marathon Guide

MILL RACE MARATHON

SEPT. 23, 2023

RUN&FUN

YOUR OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE BIG PARTY IN COLUMBUS

Keely Spitler & Katelin gephart

ON THE COVER

Joseph Spear, of Atlanta, georgia, celebrates completing the Mill Race Marathon in Columbus on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Race organizers have planned one huge party in downtown Columbus, and you don't have to be a runner to participate. You'll find an Expo & Packet pick up, live music, activities for kids, food and more. use this as your guide to everything you need to know about the races and events. Then go run and have some fun!

©2023 by AIM Media Indiana. All rights reserved. Reproduction of stories, photographs and advertisements without permission is prohibited. I NFO: 812-379-5633

Eric Frey makes his way through the crowd after winning the truck during the Mill Race Marathon in Columbus on September 24, 2022. Carla Clark | For The Republic

W E l CO m E

TO THE 2023 M ILL R ACE M ARATHON

We are thrilled to welcome everyone to this year’s 11th annual Mill Race Marathon! It’s been 11 years — we can’t believe that a dream hatched in 2011 promoting healthy lifestyles, Columbus as a great place to live and work, and Cummins’ 30+ year relationship with Dodge Ram would still be going strong. This is a wonderful celebration for the entire community including the runners, walkers, volunteers and especially our sponsors and supporters. The energy race day is amazing.

The fun starts Friday, Sept. 22 with the Expo and packet pickup at The Commons. Race participants can pick up their packets and parking passes for race day from 10a.m. until 8 p.m.

The Expo is open to everyone, not just participants, so bring your friends and family and walk around and enjoy the booths from sponsors and local businesses.

WWe’re excited to announce that Mill Race Marathon merchandise will be available again this year at the Expo and on race day at the Finish on Fourth After Party.

Friday evening is the Kids Fun Run at Mill Race Park. The event is the largest kids running event in the Midwest, with over 1,000 participants expected. The Kids Fun Run will take place at 6 p.m., and an aerial view of the little runners is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Race day will start with the opening ceremonies at 7:23 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 in downtown Columbus on Washington Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Again, this year all races will kick off at 7:30 a.m. but this year we will be utilizing wave starts. To all our Half-Marathon and Marathon participants, don’t forget that everyone who crosses the finish line is automatically

entered to win a new Ram 2500 Cummins-powered diesel pickup truck made possible by the official truck sponsor, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus. The truck winner will be announced on the Finish on Fourth party stage at 3 p.m., and the winner must be present to win! And to all our 5K finishers, you will have a chance to win one of four new bicycles made possible by the official bike sponsor, Columbus Cycling and Fitness, announced at the Finish on Fourth after-party stage at 9:15 a.m. The winners must be present to win. This race guide covers everything you need to know to have a successful race weekend. We hope you find it informative and enjoy reading it. We’d like to wish everyone participating this weekend good luck and say a huge thank you to our sponsors and volunteers who make it all possible.

Runners listen to Columbus North senior Molly Hotek sing the national anthem before the start of the Mill Race Marathon in Columbus on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

- Mill Race Marathon Planning Committee

FREqUENTLY ASk ED qUESTIONS

» kIDS FUN RUN

WHEN: 6 p.m. Sept. 22

WHERE: Mill Race Park at Fifth and Lindsey streets

» MARATHON, HALF-MARATHON, 5k

WHEN: 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23

WHERE: Sixth and Washington streets

» IN THE END

Celebrate. You made it. You crossed the finish line. Now what? Volunteers will direct you to a cold beverage, and a finisher’s medals can be picked up on Washington Street at the finish. Chips, granola bars, bananas and snack packs also will be distributed.

The finish will lead you into the Finish on Fourth After Party, where you can rest, recover and celebrate. Stick around for the award ceremonies and the prize giveaways, grab a drink, and listen to some live music while you’re at it.

S CHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Packet pickup and registration at The Commons

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Kids Fun Run packet pickup and registration at The Commons

4:45 to 5:45 p.m.: Kids Fun Run packet pickup and registration at Mill Race Park

6 p.m.: Start of Kids Fun Run at Mill Race Park

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23

5:30 to 6:30 a.m.: Packet pickup at The Commons

6:45 a.m.: Gear check open at The Commons

7:10 a.m.: Opening ceremony

7:30 a.m.: All races begin

9 a.m.: Finish on Fourth After Party kicks off with live music

9:15 a.m.: 5K overall awards ceremony on Finish on Fourth stage

9:15 a.m.: Four bicycles given away to 5K finishers at Finish on Fourth stage — immediately following the 5K overall awards (must be present to win)

11:30 a.m.: Marathon and half-marathon overall awards ceremony at Finish on Fourth Stage

2:13 p.m.: Marathon course closes

3 p.m.: Grand prize truck giveaway drawing at Finish on Fourth stage (must be present to win)

» Can I still register for a race? Yes. Registrations for all races will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at the packet pickup in The Commons. Kids still can register for the Fun Run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at The Commons or from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. at Mill Race Park, 50 Carl Miske Drive. A late fee applies to race weekend registrations, so participants are encouraged to enter prior to race weekend.

» What is the cost to sign up? Registration at packet pickup will cost $115 for the marathon, $100 for the halfmarathon and $35 for the 5K. Participation in the Kids Fun Run is free.

» What if I sign up for one event and decide to switch? Switching is completely fine. However, if you switch to a more costly event, you will have to pay the difference. On the other hand, if you switch to a less expensive event, you will not be reimbursed. To switch events, please first pick up your race packet and then go to the “Help Table” at packet pickup to get the change taken care of.

» How many years has the Mill Race Marathon been around? This is the event’s eleventh year.

» I am unable to participate. Can I get a refund? All entry fees are nonrefundable.

» Where can I get a parking pass? Parking passes may be picked up during Friday packet pickup at The Commons. These passes allow you to park in one of the available parking

locations (all free with your pass) and include information as to which roads will be open and closed on race day.

» Can I push my child in a stroller while I run? Can my dog run with me?

Strollers are allowed only during the 5K. Participants with a stroller must start in the back for safety purposes. Animals are not permitted on the race courses.

» Will finishers receive medals? Yes. All finishers of the marathon, half-marathon and 5K will receive a medal.

» Will there be restrooms along the courses?

Portable restrooms are available at every water station and medical tent on the course.

» Can I change my shirt size? You must pick up the shirt size that you ordered at packet pickup, then you may exchange your shirt after the race at the Mill Race Merchandise booth. Note: Shirt sizes for exchange are on a firstcome, first-served basis.

» Are there age requirements? No, there is not an age limit, but parents must sign a waiver for any participant younger than 18.

» What food and drinks will be at the finish line?

Chips, granola bars, bananas, snack packs, bottled water and Gatorade.

» Will there be a place to leave extra clothing?

Complimentary gear check will be inside The Commons on the main floor starting at 6:45 a.m. Please do not leave any valuables.

Cha N g ES i N Ev ENTS

The major change in 2023 is the second half (miles 13 to 26) of the marathon course.

The first half of the Marathon follows the Half-Marathon course, which features many different areas of Columbus, including world-renowned architecture seen in buildings, churches, bridges and monuments.

Once the Marathon splits off from the Half-Marathon, the course will now feature the parks and greenways of Columbus! The Marathon route runs through or adjacent to Donner Park, Noblitt Park, has a return to Mill Race Park, Greenbelt Golf Course, Lincoln Park, and the Pauline Crump Nature Preserve. Most of this will be while traveling along the beautiful greenways on Columbus’ paved People Trail. Participants will run from Noblitt Park to Mill Race Park in the wooded region along the Flatrock River, and then take a beautiful creekside, tree-lined route along

Haw Creek from downtown Columbus northeast to a turnaround point north of Rocky Ford Road near the Community Church of Columbus before returning downtown all along the greenway until the final half-mile through downtown Columbus to the finish line!

C ONTINUED S UPPORT

Proceeds from the 2022 Mill Race Marathon were donated to Healthy Communities and Columbus Park Foundation for these projects:

» A free, community disc golf course was built at Donner Park

» Support for physical activity in elementary schools

» Expanding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at the Columbus Farmer’s Market.

Proceeds from 2023 will again be directed to Healthy Communities and Columbus Parks Foundation projects.

H EALTHY C OMMUNITIES

Projects for funding in 2023 will continue to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Double Bucks Program at the Columbus Farmer’s Market and looking at ways to increase opportunities and remove barriers to participation in physical activity at elementary schools and for lower income families and older adults by various projects.

C OLUMBUS PAR k S F OUNDATION

Projects for funding in 2023 include considerations of:

» Disc Golf Loaner Disc Library

» Come Out and Play Summer Store

» Farmer’s Market T-shirts

» Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena Skates

» T-Ball bats

» Richards School Park Courts.

> Healthy Communities - Increasing opportunities and remove barriers to participation in physical activity at elementary schools with elementary cross country program and for lower income families and older adults with the Mill Race Gateway Project.

> Columbus Parks Foundation - Disc Golf Loaner Disc Library, Come Out and Play Summer Store, Farmer’s Market T-shirts, Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena Skates, T-Ball Bats and Richards School Park Courts

drug policy helps to ensure fairness

Mill Race Marathon organizers are using an anti-doping policy intended to ensure a clean and level playing field for this year’s competition.

The policy, implemented in 2016, applies to any athlete who competes for cash awards in the marathon and half-marathon, said Randy Stafford, a member of the organizing committee.

Organizers of the eleventh annual event in Columbus deemed the policy necessary because of a trend of runners suspended from larger marathons for using performance-enhancing drugs switching to smaller races to compete for prize money. Two participants were disqualified from the 2017 race due to the anti-doping policy.

“As larger marathons have implemented doping controls and restrictions on who is eligible to win cash awards, these athletes have been moving to smaller events that have not been aware of the suspensions. We would like to keep the playing field level for all athletes so that hard work and talent are rewarded,” Stafford said.

The top five male and female finishers in both the marathon and half-marathon receive prize money. Marathon winners receive $1,000 each while the half-marathon winners receive $700 each. The total prize money awarded for the event is $10,600!

The Mill Race Marathon also serves as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. However, implemen-

tation of the anti-doping policy is more the fact that the Mill Race Marathon is a medium-size event with a nice prize money offering, race director Joel Sauer said.

“We don’t anticipate any problems, but this shows the running community that we take this seriously and (are) committed to a clean, healthy and fair event,” he said.

Violation of the anti-doping policy carries penalties. “Anyone found ineligible due to past doping will not only lose the cash award but will lose their place in the results as well,” Sauer said. A cross-checking system will be used to identify suspended runners.

Payment of prize money will be delayed one to two weeks to give race organizers time to cross-check all award winners against the doping suspension list, Sauer said.

The anti-doping policy for the Mill Race Marathon was adapted from the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, which developed its policy in 2015.

“The executive director gave us permission to use their document, and we are happy to coordinate to prevent rewarding athletes who have used performance-enhancing drugs to cheat,” Stafford said.

Participants in this year’s marathon and half-marathon will be informed about the anti-doping policy through emails and the marathon’s website, he said.

P OLICY ON WEBSITE

Implementation of the Mill Race Marathon’s anti-doping policy is found on the race website, millracemarathon. com, under the awards tab. It says: “The Mill Race Marathon has a policy that prize money is only eligible to participants who are not currently serving a suspension for use of a banned substance, nor has ever served a ban for use of performance-enhancing drugs.”

WHAT THE POLICY SAYS

An anti-doping policy has been adopted for the Mill Race Marathon. Here’s what it says.

To be eligible for elite entry, prize purse or finish result an athlete must:

Not be currently serving a suspension for use of a banned substance

Not have ever served a ban for use of performance-enhancing drugs

Not be represented by coaches and/ or agents who have had two or more such suspensions by their athletes in the previous four years

Not be represented by coaches and/or agents who ever served a ban for use of performance-enhancing drugs during their own athletic career

Provide proper documentation proving they are eligible for prize money (form W-9, W-8ECI or W-8BEN)

Consent to random drug testing according to the standards and procedures of USATF, USADA, and WADA

— Source: Mill Race Marathon organizing committee

REASON FOR POLICY

Here is the Mill Race Marathon’s statement on why the implementation of an anti-doping policy is needed: “The Mill Race Marathon event supports healthy lifestyles that encompass physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. This can only be attained through everyone’s commitment to a ‘clean’ event. To ensure this, we have adopted what we believe is a very fair anti-doping policy instated by the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in 2015. We are excited to take a stand on having an event that provides opportunities for clean athletes to be recognized for their honest and hard work.”

RULES & recommendations

[ HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO k EEP IN MIND ]

AGES

HEADPHONES

The use of personal music players is not forbidden but strongly discouraged. With headphones on, participants might not be able to hear important information from police, volunteers or others.

RISk FLAGS

Runners and walkers should keep an eye on the risk flags located at all water stations and medical tents, which indicate the level of health and safety risk on the course.

There are no age restrictions for any of the races. However, anyone younger than 18 must have a legal guardian sign the waiver to participate.

STROLLERS IN BACk

Participants may walk or run with strollers only in the 5K. They must start in the back.

INSTRUCTIONS

Participants must follow instructions as given from all event officials, including race staff, volunteers, emergency and medical personnel and city officials.

»

SORRY SPOT

Bicycles, skateboards and animals are prohibited in all races.

TEam WORk

SiUPUc baseball squad covers volunteer bases

BY DAVE STAFFORD

Scores of volunteers are needed to put on the Mill Race Marathon each year, but a new team that was a hit last year plans to swing back into action at this year’s event.

The IUPUC baseball team won praise from organizers for showing up in numbers to volunteer at the start/finish line and along Washington Street last year — at least 35 by coach Scott Bickel’s count.

“It really connected our guys with the local community,” Bickel said. “And this year, we’re planning to do the same thing.”

Both Bickel and IUPUC Athletic Director Zachary McClellan said volunteering for the event is part of a “Fellowship Service Engagement Program” (FSEP) that IUPUC — soon to be IU Columbus — wants to integrate as part of the culture of its fledgling Crimson Pride sports programs.

Bickel had just been hired last June when event coordinator Joel Sauer contacted him about the possibility of players volunteering.

“He took that and just ran with it — no pun intended,” McClellan said of Bickel.

After meeting with Bickel, Sauer said, “It became clear that he is all about helping to develop solid character in his players as much as developing solid baseball skills.”

“They divided up and worked all three shifts at the start/ finish,” Sauer said, and Bickel stayed with his three different shifts from 6:15 a.m. until 3:15 p.m.

“We received amazing feedback about what wonderful volunteers the IUPUC Baseball team was, and how encouraging and friendly they were to the participants,” Sauer said. “They were a gem of a volunteer group motivated simply by wanting to give back to the Columbus

community that their baseball team calls home.”

New to Columbus, Bickel said he was unprepared for the size of the event, and many of the players had no idea what they were signing up for.

“Only maybe 10% of our baseball players are from Columbus,” Bickel said. “… The majority of the baseball players had never heard of the event.”

Now though, after volunteering last year and experiencing the thrill of the race, helping pump up runners, pass out bananas or water, and even help tear down and clean up afterward, Bickel said players are enthusiastic about doing it again.

“It leads to a culture,” he said, so that even players who weren’t on the team last year are looking forward to taking part.

IUPUC’s athletics programs just this year attained full NAIA membership, joining the River States Conference. Along with baseball, the school fields men’s and women’s cross country — some of whom participated in last year’s marathon — as well as soccer teams and women’s softball and volleyball squads.

McClellan said the FSEP concept is being stressed in all sports. Athletes are expected to be role models and support the community.

“We’re teaching young men and women the history of Columbus, Indiana, one step at a time,” he said, noting many of them wouldn’t be in the community without IUPUC’s NAIA sports programs.

“You will see more and more service adventures with IUPUC, and now IU Columbus athletics, as we continue to move forward,” McClellan said.

Top Photo: Members of the IUPUC Crimson Pride baseball team gather for a photo before volunteering to help with the 2022 Mill Race Marathon.

Front row from left: Parker Waldon, Gavin Haltom, Caleb Richards, Sam White, Tristian Wirth, Wyatt Sutton, Nathan Van Bibber and Joel Deakins.

Back row from left: Coach Scott Bickel, Coach Kido Masaru, Ethan Guire, Gage Kale, Jackson Kurrasch, Dawson Glassco, Alex McComb, Travis Jones, Jordan Jones, Cam Ingalls, Tyler Dunbar, Jackson Paradise and Trey Johnson. Photo provided

OFFiCial mill RaCE maRaThON mERChaNdiSE

We are thrilled to partner with Art Craft Promotions for the second year to offer a wide selection of Mill Race Marathon merchandise available for purchase. There is something for everyone!

There is technical gear for the runner, soft comfortable gear for everyday use, and Yeti mugs for the office! Don’t miss out on the 4-year Medal Plaque (2022-2025 events) made exclusively by the local C4 High School Program.

Clothing is available in men’s, women’s and youth styles and sizes.

This official Mill Race Marathon merchandise and more will be available at the Mill Race Marathon Expo & Packet pick up at The Commons, 300 Washington St., Columbus, on Friday, Sept. 22. It will also be available at the Mill Race Gear Trailer on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Finish on 4th After Party.

You can also shop for Mill Race Marathon gear online at Millracegear.com or by clicking on the Store tab at millracemarathon.com.

taking the stage

east senior Gavin Foley chosen to sing national anthem

BY DAVE STAFFORD

Columbus East senior Gavin Foley will be on perhaps his largest stage to date when he sings the National Anthem before thousands of people at the start of the Mill Race Marathon, but he said he’ll prepare just like always.

“When I go up on stage and perform, I try my best to give the song I’m performing as much respect as I can,” Foley said.

That’s the approach he takes whether he’s playing to his strength, which he says are classical vocals, or when he’s singing popular tunes like those from his performance in the musical “Footloose” a couple of years back.

Foley shared a few thoughts about performing in this Q&A with The Republic.

What’s your first performance that you remember?

The first performance that I can really remember is performing with the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir (CICC) in December of 2015.

What got you started as a singer and stage performer?

What really jump-started my performance career was my experiences in CICC, but my family would tell you I’ve been singing since the day I was born. As a kid, I was always humming some sort of tune, much to the dismay of my parents, who probably just wished I would stay quiet. In all seriousness though, my parents were very supportive of me as a singer when I was very young, and even got me started singing at my church, First Christian.

Who are some of your favorite musicians or influences?

Ruth Dwyer, Melissa Garcia, and Camilla Gehring have been outstanding positive influences for me as a performer. They have taught me much of the technique that has become second nature to me today. Additionally, they exposed me to a large variety of styles (and languages) in music. More recently, Jenny Heichelbech has helped refine me as a performer, and given me a lot of confidence in my own abilities. As for musicians, Nat King Cole, Elton John, and Billy Joel are some of my favorites.

Where might people have seen you perform locally?

You may have seen me perform with the CICC, W.D. Richards Elementary and Central Middle school choirs, or with Columbus East’s mixed show choir, Center Stage. I was also a part of “Footloose” at Columbus East in the Fall of 2021.

How does it feel to be selected to sing the National Anthem before a crowd of thousands?

It really means a lot to me to have been picked for such an amazing opportunity. It is an honor to sing a piece of music with such significance to our nation. For me, being picked for such an important occasion validates a lot of my experiences as a singer, and makes me feel like I have chosen the right path for myself.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not on stage?

I spend a lot of time with my Scout troop, camping, hiking, or attending other sorts of outings. I love hanging out with my friends, whether it’s going to the farmers market together, or just playing video games at home. I’m a big fan of Magic The Gathering, and oftentimes attend casual tournaments with my friends as well.

Classically trained vocalist Gavin Foley also is at home with more popular vocals such as those he sang in a Columbus East presentation of “Footloose”. Foley was selected to perform the National Anthem before the start of the Mill Race Marathon. Photo provided

good goiNg

marathon proceeds fund disc golf course and local health, fitness efforts

BY DAVE STAFFORD

Participants in the Mill Race Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K may not realize it, but they’re supporting many programs and services in Columbus, including a new recreational activity in Donner Park.

Event proceeds support the Columbus Park Foundation, and this year, a donation from the Mill Race Marathon Fund helped the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department establish a free public disc golf course at Donner.

Parks project and resource development director Celeste Reynolds said the nine- and 18-hole courses help improve the community’s mental and physical fitness and help residents and visitors lead a healthier lifestyle.

“As a free course in the middle of our community, it gives all our community members an opportunity to be outside with friends and family and be active,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds shared some of the comments the Parks Department has received from users about the new course. They include the following:

▪ “I’m so happy that a course like this exists in the town that I grew up in! The design is well thought-out and makes good use of the trees creating some difficult but fair lines at times. ”

▪ “Fun course with short, long, and technical shots.”

▪ “Super fun course! More challenging than I thought it would be. Short and long tees. The long tees are definitely challenging while the short tees are great for anyone to play.”

▪ “Love having this course in Columbus. Great technical shot opportunities!”

Healthy Communities

In addition to providing funding for the Columbus Parks and Recreation Foundation, Mill Race Marathon proceeds also benefit local nonprofit Healthy Communities. These are some of the ways that funding has helped:

▪ Supporting the new Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s Elementary Cross Country Program with $40,000.

▪ Encouraging the purchase of local, healthy foods from the Columbus Farmers Market by supporting the continuation of its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Double Bucks Program with $5,000.

▪ Increasing opportunities and removing barriers to participation in physical activity, particularly for lower income families and older adults. This includes supporting the Mill Race Park Gateway Project, which will improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and comfort at the Eighth Street park entrance in time for 2023 Exhibit Columbus with $20,000, in addition to $80,000 from the Columbus Redevelopment Commission. This project is in partnership

Columbus Department of Parks and Recreation’s Jacob Hendricks, recreation manager, poses with some discs at the free public disc golf course established at Donner Park. Proceeds from Mill Race Marathon events helped fund the new course. Photo provided

Donner Park’s disc golf course includes both nine- and 18-hole layouts.

Photo provided

F i N i S h ER m E dal SER i ES CONT i NUES

When the thousands of Mill Race Marathon participants cross the finish line of their 5K, half marathon, or marathon races, they’ll have the personal satisfaction of achieving a goal. But they will also have something else — a medal to prove what they’ve accomplished.

All finishers receive a Mill Race Marathon medal, and this year it will have a new look and bold color that completes year No. 2 of the Finisher Medal Series. The medals designed for this year’s Mill Race Marathon on Sept. 23 are the second component of a Four-Year Finisher Medal Series. Participants in the 5K, Half-Marathon or Marathon will each receive similar medals. However, the finisher ribbon and color will distinguish the individual’s accomplishment.

With a Four-Year Series, anyone who completes either the 5K, Half-Marathon or Marathon will be able to complete their set of 2022-2025 events.

The medal designs are colorful and depict various distinctive architecture that runners may see in Columbus. In addition, there will be a limited offering of wooden displays that are produced by students of the local C4 program.

ABOUT THE ENGRAVER ANDY SPURLING

Advanced Engraving Cell: 812-314-9862

Online: advanced engraving.net

These displays are available through millracegear.com and will be available for sale at the Expo on Friday, Sept. 22. All proceeds of the sales generated from the medal display will benefit the C4 program.

Marathon organizers are excited

for the finisher medal series as they continue to focus on making Mill Race Marathon a fun event with special “swag” that participants receive. Race participants can customize their medals with their name and finishing time at the Finish on Fourth After Party, where they can be engraved. Andy Spurling (of Advanced Engraving) provides this service for a small fee, and if you miss him at the event, you can contact him at 812-3149862 or advancedengraving.net.

RUNNING AWAY with Prizes

AND THE WINNERS GET ...

All finishers receive medals, with the ribbon color and size determined by whether they competed in the Marathon, Half-Marathon or 5K. Other prizes include gift certificates and age division awards.

$10,600 in cash will be awarded to the top finishers in the Marathon and HalfMarathon.

( CASH AWARD FOR MALE AND FEMALE WINNERS )

H ALF - MARATHON

1st: $700

2nd: $450

3rd: $450

4th: $400

5th: $300

M ARATHON

1st: $1,000

2nd: $700

3rd: $500

4th: $400

5th: $300

5k ( FOR MALE AND FEMALE WINNERS )

1st: $40 Gift Certificate

2nd: $35 Gift Certificate

3rd: $30 Gift Certificate

AGE RE q UIREMENTS

Marathon age group divisions start with 19 and younger, and then in five-year increments from 20 to 24 up to 80 and over. Half marathon age group divisions start with 15 and younger, and 16-19, then in five-year increments from 20 to 24 up to 80 and over.

5k AGE GROUP

Divisions start with 10 and younger, 11 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 19, then in five-year increments from 20 to 24 up to 80 and over. Award winners age 19 and under will receive nominal value merchandise awards to protect future eligibility in high school and college.

AGE GROUP AWARDS FOR ALL RACES (gift certificate for male and female winners)

1st: $20

2nd: $15

3rd: $10

5k BIk E GIVEAWAY

WHEN: 9:15 a.m. Sept. 23

WHERE: Finish on Fourth stage, in front of The Commons

VALUE: $1,000 each, and four names will be drawn

RULES: Must finish 5K by 8:46 a.m. If a winner is under 18 years of age, a legal guardian must claim the prize on his or her behalf; must be present to win

Brought to you by the Official Bike Sponsor, Columbus Cycling & Fitness

M ARATHON/HALF-MARATHON TRUCk GIVEAWAY

WHEN: 3 p.m. Sept. 23

WHERE: Finish on Fourth stage, in front of The Commons

VALUE : $70,000

RULES: Must finish within allotted time (6 hours, 43 minutes for full marathon and 3 hours, 58 minutes for half-marathon); must be 18 years of age or older; must be present to win

Brought to you by the Official Truck Sponsor, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus

Carla

Eric Frey makes his way through the crowd after winning a new truck after the Mill Race Marathon in Columbus in September.

Clark | For The Republic

WILL C ADWELL

&RESUlTS

Whether going for a personal record or creating a baseline for future events, runners and walkers take results seriously after they cross the finish line.

Race director Joel Sauer said he understands that and added there are some exciting options available for both participants and their supporters through Stack Sports timing company.

2022 W INNERS

MEN’S MARATHON

1. WILL C ADWELL

TIME: 2:29:41

2. PATRICk HASLER TIME: 2:37:10

3. NICk YEEND TIME: 2:40:45

4. CORY kIRkHAM TIME: 2:44:29

5. ISAAC SCHUETZ

TIME: 2:48:42

MEN’S HALF-MARATHON

1. JOHN MASCARI

TIME: 1:06:56

2. ANTHONY WILLIAMS

TIME: 1:09:04

3. ADAM TOGAMI

TIME: 1:09:10

4. ISAAC HAAS

TIME: 1:10:39

5. MATT STUMP

TIME: 1:10:56

MEN’S 5k

1. kYLE BURTON

TIME: 16:49

2. GENO COMBS

TIME: 16:58

3. CORY HAHN

TIME: 17:12

4. SPENCER MILLER TIME: 18:14

5. JEROME WILLIAMS

TIME: 18:18

WOMEN’S MARATHON

1. SARAH HIGGENS

TIME: 2:56:54

2. AUBRIE WHITE TIME: 2:59:30

3. NATALIE LEVERONE

TIME: 3:01:38

4. APRIL WOO

TIME: 3:05:52

5. kATIE ADAMS

TIME: 3:27:21

WOMEN’S HALF-MARATHON

1. C AROLINE COLE

TIME: 1:15:53

2. TARYN THOR

TIME: 1:17:24

3. LUCY DOBBS

TIME: 1:17:51

4. L AURA HILLARD TIME: 1:24:13

5. EMILY WAGONER

TIME: 1:24:28

WOMEN’S 5k

1. NICOLE BAROCAS TIME: 20:27

2. ELLIE LUTZ TIME: 20:40

3. LEIGH DUkEMAN TIME: 21:29

4. EMMA LOWTHER TIME: 21:57

5. REBECCA SIMON TIME: 23:30

Split times will be taken on course at 10K (6.2 miles), at the Half-Marathon turnaround (Mile 10.9), at the Marathon turnaround #1 (Mile 14), at the Marathon turnaround #2 (mile 21.3), and at the Finish Line.

Results will be posted online on the Mill Race Marathon website.

Participants also can visit the Results and Awards Tent at Fourth and Washington streets after the race to get an instant printout of time, pace and splits along the course.

There, they can find out if they won an age group award.

There is a 15-minute-per-mile time limit for the marathon.

There is a 17-minute-per-mile time limit for the half marathon.

There is a 21-minute-per-mile time limit for the 5K. There is also a 10 minute “grace period” to allow participants that much time to cross the start line at the beginning of their race.

The instant printouts of results will be in the Results and Awards Tent, which will be located on the southwest corner of Fourth and Washington Street in the heart of the Finish on Fourth post-race party.

SARAH HIGGENS

PaCiNg TO yOUR gOalS

A runner’s pace is defined as the speed at which they run, and for many runners pacing isn’t something they are born knowing how to do.

M ILL R ACE

M ARATHON PACE

GROUPS: Half-marathon

1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30,

2:45, 3:00, sweeper

3:52

Marathon:

Like many skills, pacing takes years of practice and racing to develop. A good pace group can take the guesswork out of racing and keep you motivated to get you to your goal at the end of the race. A good pacer can help followers avoid mistakes like going out too fast, bypassing early water stations and pushing too hard up hills.

For the 2023 Mill Race Marathon and Half-Marathon race, the event has partnered with Beast Pacing to offer a state-of-the-art pacing experience for runners.

3:35, 3:50, 4:05, 4:20, 4:35, 4:50, 6:43

Beast Pacing pacers are chosen for their ability to successfully lead a group while keeping them motivated all the way to the finish. Pacers are assigned times 10 minutes slower than their normal finish times and are required to finish the race within 1 minute of goal time, but never over. Strict guidelines such as these ensure a positive racing experience for runners at all levels.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Here are a few important notes to remember for Mill Race Marathon and Half-Marathon race:

Pace groups are offered free to runners.

Pacers will stage 15 minutes prior to race start near the start corrals.

Pacers will be wearing neon yellow shirts with an orange and black sign to signal their race finish time.

“Sweepers” will be running at the course time limit for both the marathon and half-marathon.

WORld RECORdS

WOMEN’S MARATHON

Name: Brigid Kosgei

Country: Kenya

Time: 2:14:04

Event: Chicago Marathon (10/13/19)

WOMEN’S HALF MARATHON

Name: Letesenbet Gidey

Country: Ethiopia

Time: 1:02:52

Event: Valencia (10/24/21)

mixed gender race

MEN’S MARATHON

Name: Eliud Kipchoge

Country: Kenya

Time: 2:01:09

Event: 2022 Berlin Marathon (9/25/2022)

Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge is also the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours (1:59:40), however it is not recognized as a world record as it was not an open competition and a team of rotating pacemakers was used.

MEN’S HALF MARATHON -

Name: Jacob Kiplimo

Country: Uganda

Time: 57:31

Event: Lisbon (11/21/21)

PaCkET PiCkUP

Participants in the marathon, half-marathon and 5K will pick up their race packets from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at The Commons, 300 Washington St. Packets will be stuffed with bibs, race information and other goodies. Parking passes will be available for pickup as well.

Volunteers will be on site to answer last-minute questions. Additional questions can be emailed to info@millracemarathon. com. Any corrections or changes in registration info — including medical information and emergency contacts — should be completed at the “Help Table” at The Commons.

If you are unable to pick up your race packet at the Expo on Sept. 22, a short time will be allotted for late pickup from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at The Commons.

G EAR CHEC k

Want a clean change of clothes waiting for you near the finish line?

Take advantage of the gear check, which opens at 6:45 a.m. race day in The Commons, 300 Washington St. Organizers advise against leaving any valuables, such as cash, credit cards, jewelry or electronics in the gear bag. Any items not claimed by 2:30 p.m. will be taken to a Columbus Running Club storage facility and held until Oct. 15. After this date, leftover bags — including all contents — will be donated to charity. Participants will need their race bibs to pick up their gear bags, and Mill Race Marathon is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Volunteers help people pick up their packets for the Mill Race Marathon during the Mill Race Marathon Health and Fitness Expo at the Commons in Columbus on Sept. 27, 2019. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

g oing the distance

The Mill Race Marathon draws participants from far and wide, and among the entrants for this year’s race is a marathoner who hails from more than 3,700 miles away.

Brian McAlees, 46, of Port Glasgow, Scotland, is fairly new to distance running, and completely new to the Mill Race, but he’s not looking to be a stranger.

“The running vest I’ll be wearing has the Scottish flag on it. If you’re at the event as a runner or spectator, watch out for me, or listen for the accent, and say hello,” McAlees said.

He took time for the following Q&A with The Republic. How did you hear about the Mill Race Marathon?

B RIAN M C A LEES

My wife, Lynsey, and I will be in the US on vacation in September. Our trip includes Indiana. I decided, mostly on a whim, to check if there were any marathons taking place that could line up with our itinerary. Having found a few contenders, I did some research and landed on Mill Race as the ideal event.

What made you want to participate, and in which event do you plan to participate?

I’m a keen runner, both on roads and on trails. While on vacation, I like to use running to explore new areas. This year, I decided to take it one step further and participate in a formal event. I’ll be running the full marathon, 26.2 miles, or 42.2 kilometres as we measure it in Europe.

vi RTUally everything

FOLLOW ALONG M ILL R ACE M ARATHON

On the web: millrace marathon.com

Facebook: Mill Race Marathon

Instagram: @millracemarathon

T HE R EP u BLIC

On the web: therepublic.com

Twitter: @the republicnews

Facebook: The Republic newspaper

J

O N THE W EB

Want to find places to see and things to do? Can’t remember what time the truck giveaway happens?

Pull out your smartphone or tablet and visit millracemarathon.com.

Organizers worked with Uplift Media to create an easy-tonavigate website packed with all the information participants need leading up to and on race day.

The site is optimized for mobile devices, so users can click on tabs to find information like course maps, schedules, lodging information and Finish on Fourth details.

OIN THE CONVERSATION

You can join the conversation by using the hashtag #millracemarathon on Facebook and Instagram.

Post your favorite stories, photos and videos, and they just might end up in an upcoming edition of The Republic or online at therepublic.com.

How often do you participate in running events, and what’s the farthest distance you’ve traveled to participate in one?

I only took up running in 2018, and given the disruptions to events caused by COVID, I’ve run relatively few organized races. This year has been more productive — I’ve run quite a few 10K races, a couple of half-marathons and one marathon. That marathon was in Manchester, England, and at about 240 miles from home is the previous farthest I’ve traveled to race. It was the successful culmination of a target I had to run a subthree-hour marathon in 2023.

What are you most looking forward to about running in the Mill Race Marathon?

I’m most looking forward to running in an event outside of the UK. I am excited to experience the running culture in Indiana. I know for certain that I won’t win the marathon. And sadly, if I were to win the Truck Giveaway, I suspect it will exceed our baggage allowance for returning home to Scotland.

Anything else you’d care to mention?

I’m hoping for a cool morning in Columbus on race day. Scotland is not noted for its hot temperatures; I’ll have a tough run if it’s very warm.

After this vacation, Lynsey and I will have been to 46 states in our quest to visit them all.

LOST & FOUND

in the middle of thousands of people, it is easy to lose something, whether you’re a runner or a spectator — an iPhone, car keys, sunglasses, jackets.

do your best to keep track of your belongings, but if you misplaced something important, check at the Gear Bag check.

a temporary lost and found will be set up there on race day.

NEW APP TRAC k S RUNNERS

Mill Race Marathon is excited to partner with TracX (the latest race tracking application from MyLaps) to offer our race participants and spectators the ability to track athletes in real time as they make their way through our Columbus courses.

The app is Apple and Google compatible and will provide real-time data including distance completed, area on course, rankings, estimated finish time and more.

The app name is “TRACX – The Event App”. Be sure to download it before race day!

Live updates from the start and finish line will be broadcast on QMIX 107.3 radio, which also will provide information about race leaders.

C ha N g ES FRO m Pa ST y E a RS

H ALF -M ARATHON CH ANGES

One change, but a really nice one! Just past Mile 7, the course will now continue west on 16th Street to Lafayette Street instead of turning south on Chestnut Street. This will bring more shade along the course for participants as well as bring them more into the historic near-eastside area of downtown Columbus. It will also free up 31 square blocks of neighborhoods which will no longer be “boxed in” by the race course. Now everyone living between Lafayette Avenue & Central Avenue from 4th Street to 16th Street can travel eastbound on Eighth Street out of the race course area without having to cross the course at all! (The course runs on the People Trail, which goes under both eastbound Eighth Street and westbound 10th Street on the east side of Central Avenue.)

DON’ T GET TURNED

aROUNd

Every turn will have three indicators:

» There will be a course marshal pointing runners in the correct direction through all turns.

M ARATHON C HANGES

Major course improvements! The second half of the marathon course will be a participants’ delight! Where the first half features many architectural and historic areas of Columbus, the second half will feature the many miles of parks and wide, paved trails that Columbus has to offer its citizens. The course features Donner Park, Noblitt Park, and returns to Mill Race Park via the paved trail that runs under the railroad tracks. This part of the course also features almost the entire People Trail that runs along Haw Creek, starting from downtown Columbus and running up along the often tree-lined trail to a turnaround point north of Rocky Ford Road adjacent to the Community Church of Columbus.

In addition to providing a beautiful park atmosphere for participants in these final 13 miles, these changes have the added benefit of opening up almost all the roads around the City of Columbus upon the completion of the Half Marathon around 11:45 a.m.

» Arrow signs will be posted on all cones, pointing runners in the correct direction at every turn on the course.

» Arrows will be chalked on the road, pointing runners in the correct direction at every turn. A course setup director will drive the entire course, staying 5 to 8 minutes ahead of the lead runners. These directors will do a visual confirmation of the course setup and will give course marshals a heads-up that the runners are just a few minutes back.

The course has been broken into 10 segments, and each 3-mile segment has a separate course director who will make sure all is well.

SighTS TO SEE

a s yo U wind thro UG h the streets o F colUm BUs, known F or its architect U ral G ems, take a look at these BU ildin G s and Parks alon G the race ro U te

» Mill Race Park (Mile 1 & 14): This 85-acre riverfront park, designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh, was recognized as one of the top 100 U.S. parks for design, reputation and accessibility.

» Robert N. Stewart Bridge (Mile 2): Designed by J. Muller International, this cable-stayed bridge is the first of its kind in North America and was completed in 1999.

» SBC Switching Station (Mile 8.5): Distinctive for its mirrored glass facade and primary colored accents, the building houses electronic equipment and was designed by Paul Kennon in 1978.

» Cleo Rogers Memorial Library (Mile 8.5): The Columbus campus of the Bartholomew County Public Library system. The building was designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, completed in 1969 and dedicated in 1971.

» “Large Arch” (Mile 8.5): The sculpture by Henry Moore sits in the library’s public plaza.

» First Christian Church (8.5): The design by Eliel Saarinen was the first contemporary building in Columbus and was completed in 1942. Also in this area are the Bartholomew County Public Library, the Inn at Irwin Gardens and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

» Foundation for Youth campus (Mile 5.5): FFY offers youth and community programs.

» People Trail (Marathon & Half-Marathon) (Mile 5.8 -6.8): Along Haw Creek and Greenbelt Golf Course

» People Trail (Marathon) (Miles 12.5-13.5 & 14.515.5): Wooded section along the Flatrock River connecting Noblitt Park to Mill Race Park and back.

» People Trail (Marathon)(Miles 17.5-25.5): Beautiful out-and-back section starting from downtown and proceeding along Haw Creek and the tree-lined trail northeast past Rocky Ford Road and returning to downtown Columbus shortly before the marathon finish.

» Columbus Regional Hospital (Mile 6.5, 18.5, 24.5): Two pavilions, a central lobby and a glass-enclosed dining pavilion are some of the newer features of the 35-acre campus designed by Robert A.M. Stern.

» Donner Park and Aquatic Center (Mile 10, 12): Businessman and philanthropist William H. Donner donated a plot of land to the city in 1916 to be used as a community park and his foundation later funded a shelter house, a swimming pool and a community center.

7k Farms offer trailers to rent when you buy product from us. We have 10 16ft trailers with different configurations to meet all your needs. We have trailers that are half freezer and half cooler that run on 220v.

We also have units that have a 3 door cooler inside with 3 or 4 freezer chest to fill with products for your event, these units only need multiple 110v circuits. If your organization needs a trailer for freezer storage for an event or fair, 7k Farms can help.

Part of the interior of the First Christian Church tower was exposed during brick replacement work. |

Photo by Hadley Fruits

PaRTy TimE AFTER THE RUN

WHEN: Sept. 23

WHERE: Downtown at Washington and Fourth streets, near The Commons

WHAT: The After Party is called the Johnson Witkemper Finish on 4th and everyone is invited. The event is intended to celebrate the community, the participants and their accomplishments. Finish on 4th will feature live Music from Vinyl Escape from 1:00-3:30 pm with awards and drawings on the main stage throughout the day. Food and beverage will be available to purchase both from vendors on the streets and at the many downtown restaurants that border the After Party. Beer, wine and adult beverages will be available for purchase. Andy Spurling will be engraving medals for participants for a nominal fee.

COST: Entry to the event is free, but food and drinks will be available for purchase. Bounce houses and the pirate castle are also free.

BEER AND WINE SALES: Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the Finish on 4th After Party, but beverages cannot leave the barricades set up around Fourth and Washington streets.

RESTROOMS: Restrooms will be available in the Commons or portable restrooms will be available.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: Call 911 or seek assistance at a medical station set up on Fourth Street between Washington and Franklin streets.

FUNDING: Johnson-Witkemper Insurance Services is the primary sponsor.

S CHEDULE FOR S ATURDAY, S EPT. 23

9 a.m.: Vendors will begin serving food and beverages as well as adult beverages. No charge for admission

9:15 a.m: 5K Awards and Bike Giveaway brought to you by the official bike sponsor, Columbus Cycling & Fitness

11:30 a.m. : Half and Full Marathon results and awards

1 p.m.: Vinyl Escape takes the Stage

3 p.m.: Cummins Ram Truck Give Away brought to you by the official truck sponsor, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus

*Must be present to win bikes and/or truck

A view of the half marathon finisher medals during the Mill Race Marathon in Columbus on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

a PlaCE TO PaRk

There is more parking this year. The Second Street garage will be open and free to the public — no parking pass needed. The only lots requiring parking passes will be the Cummins Corporate Office Building lot, the Sixth Street garage and the Jackson Street garage.

Since the start/finish line is on Washington Street, organizers have opened Brown and Jackson streets and all the parking lots accessible from there — including the Cummins Corporate Office Building surface lot and the downtown garages. Only Washington and Fourth streets will be closed to traffic throughout the entire race this year, opening more spaces along the street and additional access to garages and lots.

Participant and volunteer parking passes will be available at the packet pickup and registration at The Commons 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 22.

Park anywhere after 7:30 a.m. Parking passes will be required from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m., after which the public can park in any available lot, spot or garage. That’s when most spectators and members of the public begin to trickle downtown to provide moral support and cheer on the participants.

Parking passes for volunteers and runners. Runners and volunteers can pick up parking passes at The Commons during packet pickup. The passes will direct them to the designated and reserved parking areas.

Free shuttle bus. A bus will run from the west side Walmart, 2025 Merchant Mile, for spectators and the public. The shuttle will run continuously from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Buses are handicap accessible. The drop-off location in downtown Columbus is between Second and Third streets by the courthouse.

The main message from the parking committee and after party organizers? Don’t worry about parking. All parking garages will be free and open to the public after 7:30 a.m. on race day.

Parking passes will be required from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., after which the public can park in any available lot, spot or garage. Runners and volunteers will get parking passes at The Commons during packet pick-up.

LOT A, Sixth Street Garage

A DDRESS: 601 Jackson St.

S POTS: 925

W HO: Participants

E NTRANCE: Seventh Street

COLOR: Blue

LOT B, Cummins Corporate Office Building surface lot

A DDRESS: Lindsey Street

S POTS: 740

W HO: Participants

E NTRANCE: Brown and Lindsey streets

COLOR: Red

LOT C, Jackson Street Garage

A DDRESS: 401 Jackson St.

S POTS: 290

W HO: Participants

E NTRANCE: Third Street

COLOR: Green

FREE PARkING LOCATIONS Second Street Garage

A DDRESS: 300 Second St.

S POTS: 500

W HO : Free to the public

E NTRANCE : Third Street

HANDICAPPED PARkING: Available in Sixth Street Garage (Lot A)

Columbus City Bus Service will not be available on Saturday, Sept. 23.

FOR yOUR SaFETy

An incident command center will be set up downtown. Key public safety leaders will monitor activity around the city but especially on the marathon course and related venues.

Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center will have a station set up at the center with four dispatchers to get assistance quickly to those involved in marathon-related incidents. That’s in addition to the six dispatchers who will work in the Emergency Operations Center. The National Weather Service will have a meteorologist monitoring radar to promptly alert everyone of weather emergencies.

S ECURITY FORCES

About 100 to 120 police officers will work in the city, covering the event and other routine calls unrelated to the event. The contingent will include officers from Columbus Police and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s departments and Indiana State Police.

Special units include SWAT, bomb squad, police bicycle team and K-9 units. Safety officials said they are confident they are prepared for everything from weather conditions to threats to public safety.

M EDICAL

More than 40 trained medical staff will be on or near the race course and ready to respond to emergencies. A detailed medical plan has been finalized, and all departments have been briefed on marathon logistics.

Medical support includes:

» Two ambulances used for event-related emergencies will be onsite.

» Five medical tents: Sixth and Washington streets; 8th Street and Central Avenue; 16th and Chestnut; 19th and Lafayette; 34th Street and Marr Road.

» Three ALS paramedic “chase vehicles.”

» Nine medical carts staffed with EMTs.

» Three medical bikes.

T RAFFIC

A few Columbus streets will be closed for the race, but most will only have lane restrictions blocked by traffic cones. Police will direct traffic at heavily traveled intersections, stopping cars to let runners through, and then letting traffic resume. A list of road restrictions and closures is on the Mill Race Marathon website, millracemarathon.com, and on Pages 30 and 31.

e mer G ency noti F ications

Want a heads-up if there is a problem? Check your phone or computer. The Republic will post up-to-date information at therepublic.com, along with updates on Twitter (@ therepublicnews) and Facebook (The Republic newspaper)

The Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center also uses Twitter (@ bceos) to send instant updates about traffic accidents and emergencies. Participants and the public also can sign up for alerts through the Everbridge Emergency Notification System. Here is how:

Visit columbus.in.gov/police.

Click the “Citizen Alert” button in the top right corner. Scroll down to the login screen and click “Sign up.”

You will be prompted to provide “My Location” contact information where area-specific traffic alerts emergency notifications can be sent.

Anthony Lemon, of Michigan City, Indiana, wears a thermal blanket and drinks water after completing the half marathon portion of the Mill Race Marathon in Columbus on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

Mike Wolanin | The Republic

daNgEROUS WEaThER [

HERE ’S WHERE TO GO ]

In case of inclement weather, these locations have been designated as shelters:

» Cummins Inc., 500 Jackson St.

» Cummins Inc., 301 Jackson St.

» Fire Station No. 1, 1101 Jackson St.

» Cummins Inc., 500 Central Ave.

» Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St.

» McDowell Adult Education Center, 2700 McKinley Ave.

» Foundation For Youth, 405 Hope Ave.

» Columbus Regional Hospital, 2400 E. 17th St.

» Donner Aquatic Center, 739 22nd St.

» Schmitt Elementary School, 2675 California St.

» Hamilton Ice Center, 2501 Lincoln Park Way

» Mill Race Center, 900 Lindsey St.

» Columbus Community Church, 3850 N. Marr Road

WHERE ARE THEY?

A map of shelter houses can be seen on PAGES 20 AND 21

COURSE COlOR- COdEd

Here’s what the colors of the flags mean:

G REEN FLAG: Low risk. Go.

Y ELLOW: Medium risk. Slow down pace and be aware of weather conditions.

R ED FLAG: High risk. Be aware that heat illness is possible. Slow down and take your time.

BLACk FLAG: Extreme risk. Runners should slow to a walk, and walkers should walk very slowly. Stop, rest, seek shade. If the black flag comes out, timing and scoring will be closed. Medical people, volunteers, water stops, police officers and pickup vehicles will remain on the course.

TWO -WhEElEd aSSiSTaNCE

One of the important elements of the eleventh annual Mill Race Marathon will involve pedal power, not foot speed. A volunteer team of about 20 cyclists, of all ages and genders, will be making their way along the courses to ensure all goes safely and smoothly for the runners on a day that involves thousands of competitors and spectators.

The cyclists play a vital role, said Terry Molewyk who has been directing the volunteer cycling support for the event since the first year. “This is a group of avid cyclists that enjoy supporting the community as well as the marathon, and will be involved in the event,” he said. He estimated that about half of the cyclists have volunteered every year, and about 90% have at least three years of volunteer experience.

The volunteer cyclists use advance rides

of the marathon route to familiarize themselves with the course and spot problems that need to be fixed before the race. That’s important because they are tasked with communicating with the organizing committee and medical personnel by radio, reporting medical issues, looking for safety problems and providing updates on where runners are on the course.

If a medical issue arises, the cyclists won’t provide treatment but ensure paramedics get to the correct location as quickly as possible. “The responsibilities/ activities are to be the eyes and ears in the marathon and report any issues to the appropriate function,” Molewyk said. On race day, spectators will notice bicyclists at the front, middle and the rear of the race, he said. Their presence is to help ensure runners are safe on the course and able to meet their goals.

W HAT THE COLORS MEAN

What the colors mean

Marathon runners will notice volunteers on the course wearing various colors of support based upon their role to ensure a safe event.

Orange: Volunteer Group Leader

Red: Medical

Yellow: Volunteer

Cyclists: Reflective Yellow Vest Black: Race Committee

& STREET ClOSiNgS RESTRiCTiONS

D OWNTOWN S ETUP (T HURSDAY -S ATURDAY )

1. Thursday — No Parking on Fifth Street between Jackson and Franklin streets or on Seventh Street between Jackson and Washington streets from 6 a.m. to noon for placement of portable restrooms.

2. Sixth Street will be closed between Washington Street and the alley west of Franklin Street from 6 a.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday.

3. Sixth Street will be closed from Washington Street to the Sixth Street parking garage entrance from 8 a.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday.

4. No parking on Washington Street between Fifth and Seventh streets from 6 a.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday.

5. Fourth Street will be closed between Jackson and Franklin streets from noon Friday to 9 p.m. Saturday. (Washington Street will remain open at Fourth Street till 6 p.m. Friday.)

6. No parking on Washington Street between Third and Fifth streets from 4 p.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Saturday.

7. Washington Street will be closed between Third Street and Fifth Street from 6 p.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Saturday. The intersection at Fourth Street will be closed.

8. Washington Street will be closed between Fifth and Seventh streets between 6 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. The intersection at Sixth Street will be closed.

DOWNTOWN SATURDAY

9. Fifth Street will be closed between Jackson Street and the alley west of Franklin Street from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. This closure narrows at 9 a.m. Saturday to the alleys east and west of Washington Street.

N OTIFICATION SYSTEM

Whether you live near the race route or need to travel on race day, the Everbridge Emergency Notification System can help you you navigate Columbus.

Organizers will send alerts to residents of specific areas of town who sign up ahead of time.

To do so:

» Visit columbus.in.gov/ police.

» Click the “Citizen Alert” button in the top right corner.

» Scroll down to the log-in screen and click “Sign up.”

» You will be prompted to provide contact information where notifications can be sent in the case of an emergency.

» The address you submit for “My Locations” will be used to send areaspecific traffic alerts.

10. The intersection at Washington and Seventh streets will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

11. No parking on Washington Street between Seventh and Eighth streets from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. No parking on Washington between Eighth and 11th streets from 6 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

12. Washington Street will be closed between Seventh and Eighth streets from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and between Eighth and 11th streets from 7 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.

13. No parking on Third Street between Franklin and Brown streets from 6 to 10 a.m.

14. No parking on the east

curb of Jackson Street between Second and Third streets from 6 to 10 a.m.

15. Eastbound 11th Street will be closed between Lindsey and Washington streets from 7:30 to 8 a.m. for the start of the races.

16. 11th Street will be closed between Washington Street and Lafayette Avenue from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

17. Brown Street will be closed between 11th and Eighth streets from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

18. Eighth Street will be closed between Washington and Lindsey streets from 7:30 to 8 a.m.

19. Lindsey Street will have the two left (east curb) lanes closed between 11th and Third streets from 7:15 to 8:15 a.m. The west curb lane will remain open to traffic from 11th to Third streets.

20. Third Street will have the two left (south/east) curb lanes closed from Lindsey Street to the State Road 46 West overpass ramp from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. The north/west curb lane will remain open for Third Street traffic to continue to southbound State Road

11. Drivers wanting to go to State Road 46 West can take the State Road 11 exit, turn around, head back north on State Road 11, and take the ramp to State Road 46 West.

21. The westbound overpass ramp for State Road 46 West will be closed from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. State Road 46 West traffic will uses State Road 11 South and turn around to use the State Road 11 north ramp onto State Road 46 West.

22. Eastbound State Road 46 (Jonathan Moore Pike) will be restricted to the two south curb lanes from the first driveway east of Morgan Willow Trace to Second Street from 7 to 8:30 a.m. All

eastbound traffic on State Road 46 East will be required to continue east on Second Street.

23. Third Street will be completely closed between Lafayette Avenue and Lindsey Street from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. During this time, Third Street traffic will be turned south on Lafayette Avenue to Second Street.

25. Third Street traffic will be restricted to the south curb from Central Avenue to Lafayette Avenue from 7 to 9 a.m.

26. Franklin Street will be closed from Third to Seventh streets from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. No parking on Franklin Street between Third to Seventh streets from 6 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

27. Police will control traffic at Third and Franklin streets from 9:30 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow runners to cross for the second half of marathon.

28. Police will control traffic at Second and Franklin streets from 9:30 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow runners to cross for the second half of marathon.

29. Franklin Street will be closed from Seventh to 16th streets from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. No parking on Franklin Street between Seventh to 16th streets from 6 to 10:30 a.m.

30. Seventh Street will be closed west of Franklin Street from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No parking on Seventh Street from Washington to Franklin streets from 6 a.m. to 2:30 pm.

WASHINGTON STREET NORTH OF DOWNTOWN — SATURDAY

31. Washington Street will have one lane open for northbound traffic and one lane open for southbound traffic between 11th and 19th streets from 7 a.m. to 12:05 pm. Runners/walkers will be in the two east curb lanes.

N EAR EAST SIDE — SATURDAY

32. Fifth Street will be closed between Pearl and Franklin streets from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m. No parking on Fifth Street between Pearl and Franklin streets from 6 to 10:30 a.m.

33. Sixth Street will be closed between Pearl Street and Lafayette Avenue from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m. No parking on Sixth Street between Pearl Street and Lafayette Avenue from 6 to 10:30 a.m.

34. Pearl Street will be closed between Sixth and Fifth streets from 7:45 to 10:30 am. No parking on Pearl Street between Sixth and Fifth Street from 6 to 10:30 a.m.

35. Lafayette Avenue will be closed between 16th and Sixth streets from 7:45 to 10:15 a.m. No parking on Lafayette Avenue between 16th and Sixth streets from 6 to 10:30 a.m.

36. 16th Street will be closed between Chestnut and Franklin streets from 7:45 to 10:30 a.m. No parking on 16th Street between Chestnut and Franklin street from 6 to 10:30 am.

E AST S ECTION — SATURDAY

37. Central Avenue/State Street/Second Street/Third Street intersection traffic will be controlled by police from 7 to 9 a.m. to allow runners/walkers to continue eastbound from Third Street to State Street. Eastbound traffic on Second Street will be directed to eastbound State Street. There will be no traffic on Central Avenue.

38. State Street will have its two eastbound lanes remain open to traffic. State Street westbound lanes will be closed from Marr Road to Central Avenue from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The center turn lane will be used for westbound traffic (for stray cars that get out) from Marr Road to Central Avenue.

39. Brooks Street will not be restricted but runners/ walkers will use the entire road between State Street and Indiana Avenue. No parking on

Brooks Street between State Street and Indiana Avenue from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

40. Westbound Indiana Avenue will be closed between Brooks and Mapleton streets from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. Runners/walkers will use the westbound lane of Indiana Avenue.

41. Police will control traffic at Gladstone and Indiana avenues from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m.

42. Mapleton Street will be closed between Indiana and McKinley avenues from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m.

43. Hope Avenue/Cherry Street will be closed between McKinley Avenue and Sixth Street from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m.

44. Sixth Street will be closed between Cherry Street and Pleasant Grove from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m.

45. Seventh Street will be closed west of Pleasant Grove to Central Avenue from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m.

46. Police will control traffic at Seventh Street and Central Avenue from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Expect delays getting onto or off of Seventh Street on the east side of Central Avenue. (There will be no delays after 9:30 a.m. if you take Eighth Street or Third Street to head east on Central Avenue.

47. Haw Creek People Trail will be closed from State Street to Rocky Ford Road from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

N ORTH SECTION — SATURDAY

48. 17th Street will be closed to eastbound traffic between Orinoco to Haw Creek avenues from 7:50 to 9:45 a.m. Runners/walkers will stay in the south curb lane.

49. Orinoco Avenue will be closed between 16th and 17th streets from 7:50 to 9:45 a.m.

50. 16th Street will be closed between Chestnut Street and Orinoco Avenue from 7:50 to 10 a.m.

51. No parking on 16th Street between Orinoco Avenue

and Chestnut Street from 6 to 10:15 a.m.

52. No parking on 16th Street between Chestnut and Franklin streets from 6 to 11 a.m.

53. Chestnut Street will be closed from 16th to 24th Street from 7:55 to 10:50 a.m. No parking on Chestnut Street between 16th and 24th streets from 6 to 10:50 a.m.

54. 24th Street will be closed between Chestnut Street and Sycamore Street from 7:55 am until 10:55 am. No parking on 24th Street between Chestnut and Sycamore streets from 6 to 10:55 a.m.

55. Police will control traffic at Sycamore and 25th streets from 8 to 11 a.m. to allow runners/walkers to cross 25th Street on Sycamore Street.

56. Sycamore Street will not be restricted but runners/ walkers will use the entire road between 24th Street and Tipton Lane from 7:55 to 11 a.m. No parking on Sycamore Street between 24th Street and Tipton Lane from 6 to 11:00 a.m.

57. Police will control traffic at Sycamore and 27th streets from 8 to 11:00 a.m. to allow runners/walkers to cross 27th Street on Sycamore Street.

58. No parking on Tipton Lane between Sycamore Street and Home Avenue from 6 to 11:15 a.m.

59. No parking on the south curb of Tipton Lane between Franklin Drive and Sycamore Street from 6 to 11:15 a.m.

60. No parking on the east curb of Franklin Drive between Tipton Lane and 27th Street from 6 to 11:15 a.m.

61. Police will control traffic at 27th Street/Franklin Drive/ Lafayette Avenue from 8:30 to 11:20 a.m. to allow runners/ walkers to cross 27th Street from Franklin Drive onto Lafayette Avenue.

62. Lafayette Avenue will be closed from 17th to 27th streets from 7:50 to 11:25 a.m. No parking on Lafayette Avenue from 17th to 27th street from 6 to 11:25 am.

63. Police will control traffic at Lafayette Avenue and 25th Street from 8 to 11:25 a.m. to allow runners/walkers to cross 25th Street on Lafayette Avenue.

64. 17th Street will be closed from Lafayette Avenue to Noblitt Park from 8:00 to 11:55 a.m. No parking on 17th Street from Lafayette Avenue to Noblitt Park from 6 to 11:55 a.m.

FREE ExPO & PACKET PICK u P

W HAT: Expo & Packet Pickup

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 22

WHERE: The Commons, 300 Washington St., Columbus.

WHO CAN ATTEND: Anyone can attend. Community members, visitors and children will enjoy the expo.

WHAT TO E xPECT: Many local and national exhibitors will be present to share their information and products. Visit the many exhibitors offering apparel, shoe fitting, gate analysis, headbands or food/drink items. The Expo is sure to be enjoyed by all.

Take your photo in front of the backdrop depicting the Robert N. Stewart Bridge.

“Find information on Columbus and surrounding areas at the “Ask Me” table, located on the first floor of The Commons, hosted by the Columbus Area Visitors Center.”

Runners and walkers can pick up their packets and those interested can still register at the Expo.

Enjoy a sidewalk kiosk, outside of the Expo entrance, displaying key maps for the race.

Below, People register and pick-up T-shirts for the Kids Fun Run during the Mill Race Marathon expo and packet pick-up, at the Commons, Friday, September 23, 2022 Carla Clark | For The Republic

Above: Deborah Bassetti and Amanda Waitmann have their photo taken by Logan Cunningham by the truck being given away by Columbus Auto during the Mill Race Marathon expo and packet pick-up, at the Commons, Sept. 23, 2022. Below: Yerin Choi looks at her T-shirt held up by her mother Riyako Nakajaima during the Mill Race Marathon expo and packet pick-up, at the Commons last year. Carla Clark | For The Republic

Above: Adam Tedro and Hadassah Tedrow during the Mill Race Marathon expo and packet pick-up, at the Commons, Sept. 23, 2022.

Below: Shaunna Stamm and Chris Stamm look at his T-shirt during the Mill Race Marathon expo and packet pick-up, at the Commons last year. Carla Clark | For The Republic

FOR ThE FUN OF iT

Sidarth Shekar, left, Jayden Lopez jump out to an early lead in the pre-k and kindergarten division of the annual Kids’ Fun Run at Mill Race Park in Columbus on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

TTo continue encouraging participation, we have continued to offer the training plans and the school incentives begun in 2020. Each elementary school that has 20 or more participants is awarded a $250 gift certificate for sporting equipment and each preschool that has 20 or more participants is awarded a $75 gift certificate for sporting equipment. In addition, Columbus Running Club will provide assistance for school champions to encourage registration and participation.

Continuing in 2022 are the school participation awards for the highest percentage participation of students at a school. There are large, medium and small elementary school categories with the highest participation rate school in each category receiving a $700 gift certificate and second highest participation rate school receiving a $500 gift certificate. The pre-school category awards the highest participation rate pre-school with a $200 gift certificate.

C HANGES FOR THE 2023 kIDS F UN R UN INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

» An Elementary School Cross Country League competitive 1.5 kilometer race has been added.

» The start and finish has been adjusted to provide more space around the Exhibit Columbus Art installation in front of the amphitheater.

» Masks are not required but will be available if anyone needs one.

» An additional Registration and Packet Pick-up time will be available from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, in the lower lobby of Commons.

kIDS F UN R UN

WHEN: Run starts at 6 p.m. Sept. 22. Parents should have their children in the park by 5:45 pm to allow time to pin their bib on, find the starting line and be ready. If the family still needs to register, please be in the park by 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Mill Race Park, Fifth and Lindsay streets, Columbus

WHO: Tots through sixth grade. Tots run first, followed by each grade in order.

EVENTS:

TOTS: About 200 meters or 0.12 miles

PRE-k AND kINDERGARTEN WITH PARENTS: 0.5 kilometers or 0.31 miles

PRE-k AND kINDERGARTEN WITHOUT PARENTS: 0.5 kilometers or 0.31 miles

GRADES 1 & 2: 1 kilometer or 0.62 miles

GRADES 3 & 4: 1.5 kilometers or 0.93 miles

GRADES 5 & 6: 2 kilometers or 1.24 miles

PARENTS: Adults can run the entire length of the course in the Tots and Pre-K/Kindergarten With Parents events. For all other events, the parents can join their older children after the start flagging and exit the course before the finish chute.

YOUTH AWARDS: All children crossing the finish line receive a medal.

SCHOOL AWARDS: Each Elementary school with at least 20 participants receives a $250 gift certificate. Each pre-school with at least 20 participants receives a $75 gift certificate. The elementary schools are divided into three divisions by school enrollment (large, medium or small) and the schools with the highest participation percentage will receive a $700 gift certificate. Runners-up will receive a $500 gift certificate. The pre-school with the highest participation percentage based on enrollment will receive a $200 gift certificate. Gift certificates are for sports and physical activity equipment.

SPONSORS: Healthy Communities, German American Bank and Columbus Running Club.

COST: FREE to participate

T-SHIRTS: Available on a first-come, first served basis for $10 each. Sizes and availability not guaranteed.

TO REGISTER: Registration is available at The Commons, 300 Washington St., in downtown Columbus, from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Expo/Packet Pickup at The Commons from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept 22, and then from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. before the Kids Fun Run in Mill Race Park.

RACE BIB PICk-UP: Race bibs and T-shirts (if pre-ordered in advance online) can be picked up from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 at The Commons, at the Expo/Packet Pickup at The Commons before 4 p.m. Friday, Sept 22, or after 4:30 p.m. at Mill Race Park.

PARkING: Free in Mill Race Park’s front lot or in the Cummins Inc. lots adjacent to the park.

INFORMATION: millracemarathon.com/fun-run

REady TO RUN?

ORgANIzERS SEEKINg MORE YOuTH 5K RuNNERS

iIn 2022, there were 193 participants under age 18 in the Mill Race Marathon 5K. The goal for this year is 300 participants. To encourage more students to participate, the registration price was $10 through Aug. 31 — a 67% discount from the the general $30 fee. Late registration is $15, which is still $20 less than the general $35 late entry fee.

Race organizers also engage middle and high school students in August by displaying race materials and encouraging registration at each school. Getting teens to move more is the organizers’ mission, and teens can choose to run or walk the 5K event.

We offer this discount to young runners to encourage their participation in the 5K. The atmosphere of an official race can be so rewarding and can help instill a lifelong habit of running or walking.

Organizers hope that the reduced cost will motivate teens to join the 5K. They have seen a pattern where some elementary-age kids who have participated in the Kids Fun Run are moving up to the 5K event prior to their middle school years. Younger students who participate in running clubs often have a 5K event they participate in after their club’s season. This has led some younger kids to move past the Kids Fun Run distances and join the 5K race during the Mill Race Marathon.

While youth as old as sixth grade can participate in the Kids Fun Run, by that age some runners have outgrown the shorter race and are well-prepared to participate in a 5K.

We want to make it financially affordable for them to move to the longer distance, as well as to attract middle and high school students.

Another great motivation for youth participation in the 5K are the four bikes that are given away to four lucky race finishers.

Teens who participate at the reduced price are eligible for the bike drawing; they just need to be present at the drawing in order to win.

S IGN UP

W HAT: Mill Race Marathon 5K

WHEN: Event starts at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 23 in downtown Columbus

SPONSOR: Healthy Communities is subsidizing the registration costs for students

AWARDS: Finishers will receive a medal. Student age group winners (first, second, third) will receive awards from White River Running Co.

COST: $15 for late registration after Sept. 1

REGISTRATION: Those who signed up online before Sept. 22 can pick up their race packets (event information, running bib, goody bag and T-shirt) from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at the Expo in The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus, or from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at The Commons. Last minute registrations can sign up at the Friday Expo, although shirt sizes will not be guaranteed.

Runners start the Mill Race Marathon 5K on Saturday, September 21, 2021. Carla Clark | For The Republic

dESigNER

dEja vU

d

Due to the tremendous talent of young artists in the Columbus area, the judging team was challenged to select the 11th annual Mill Race Marathon winning entries for the Kids Fun Run and the Official Poster.

However, two entries and two artists stood apart from the rest (again) as their work was unanimously selected by the judging team. Zane Moravec’s entry for the Official Race Poster was picked, and Hazel Kelley’s design was selected for the Kids Fun Run. Both were outstanding entries. When the judges turned over the selected winners, they were surprised to see two familiar names as both Zane and Hazel also were selected for the 2022 winning entries. But it gets even better as Hazel has won for the past three years (’21, ’22, and ’23). Both of these repeat winners are extremely talented, as witnessed by their current and previous winning selections.

Hazel, now a sixth-grader at CSA Lincoln, is further distinguished as the first three-time winner of the Mill Race Marathon art contest, and her design, done when she was a fifth-grader, will be incorporated onto more than 1,000 T-shirts for the Kids Fun Run participants. Hazel will receive a $50 gift certificate, and her fifth-grade teacher will receive a $200 check to purchase school supplies in honor of Hazel’s accomplishment.

Zane’s artwork was selected when he was a student of Jeff Metz at Columbus North High School, and his artwork will serve as the Official 2023 Race Poster for the 5K, Half-Marathon, and Marathon events. Now graduated from CNHS, Zane is attending Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Georgia to further his outstanding artistic skills. Zane has received a $500 Mill Race Marathon scholarship check (for the second time) and will be putting this money toward his college expenses. Participants who were registered by Sept. 1 will have their names printed on the poster(s) for each specific distance. Posters are available for sale for $10 during the Marathon Expo on Friday, Sept. 22 at The Commons, with all proceeds going toward funding the Mill Race Marathon scholarship and the Kids Fun Run winner recognition.

Judges for the 2023 Art Contest were from key sponsors, schools, and businesses in the Columbus community including Columbus Regional Health-Healthy Communities, German American Bank, Cummins Inc., BCSC, and Stillframes Art and Design (where the judging was held). The Mill Race Marathon committee thanks all students for the outstanding entries and thanks the sponsors and judges who make this event happen.

HAZEL kELLEY

Z ANE MORAVEC

ShOW

SigNS OF SUPPORT

Thousands of runners who snaked through the streets of Columbus during the first ten Mill Race Marathons had one big and long cheering section: you.

dRESSEd FOR SUCCESS

Want to take home a piece of this year’s Mill Race Marathon? You can, whether it’s to remind yourself of the accomplishment or to prove to your friends you really did finish your event!

You have a multiple ways to acquire the event shirt:

Race shirts — For 2023, the Mill Race Marathon Half-Marathon and Marathon shirts will be long-sleeve technical shirts (Kelly green for the Half and white for the Marathon). The 5K will continue with the popular cotton blend shirt (aqua blue).

Mill Race Marathon, now in its 11th year, continues to add sponsor names to the back of each shirt to ensure recognition for those wonderful supporters that help to make this event possible, showcases Columbus as a great place to live and work and gives thousands of participants the opportunity to achieve a milestone and live a healthy lifestyle.

If there are any official 5K, Half-Marathon or Marathon shirts remaining after packet pickup on Friday, organizers will

2023 Race shirts

Woffer shirts for sale. Mill Race Marathon official merchandise and extra shirts will be available at the MRM Merchandise Trailer at the Finish on 4th After Party on Saturday.

Kids Fun Run Shirts — The Kids Fun Run T-shirt, featuring artwork by a local student, is short-sleeved and made of cotton. Participants were encouraged to register early to guarantee a shirt. Any extras available will be sold for $10. Limited availability of the Kids Fun Run shirts will be for sale at the Mill Race Marathon Expo & Packet Pickup before the Kids Fun Run start on Friday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.

General Merchandise — Additional running gear will be available for purchase at the Expo and Packet pick up on Friday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Commons, 300 Washington St. We are thrilled to have Art Craft return for the second year with official Mill Race Marathon Merchandise for anyone interested in more MRM Gear! Look for new items, hoodies and more at the Expo and Packet Pickup as well as at the MRM Gear Trailer on Finish on 4th.

You shouted words of encouragement and gave runners a jolt of energy. You dressed up in wigs and costumes, sang and danced, and rang cowbells. You offered cold drinks. And you held up homemade signs that were funny, creative and motivating.

S OME E x AMPLES WERE:

» Run like the start of Hunger Games

» At least you’re not at work

» This mile is old enough to vote

» You are beating everyone behind you

» Keep breathing

You certainly lived up to your reputation as a welcoming community. Runners were impressed.

If you are looking for ways to support the marathon runners, make a sign of your own. Just think of what inspires you, transfer the idea to a poster and let creativity take hold. Stake out anywhere along the route to offer encouragement to participants.

OThER EvENTS ON TaP

The Mill Race Marathon is not the only game in town Sept. 22 and 23

Here are some of the many other events and attractions in and around Columbus.

HOPE HERITAGE DAYS: Sept. 22 to 24, features music, food, fireworks and shopping. This is Bartholomew County’s oldest and largest multiday festival. Information: hopeheritagedays.org.

E xHIBIT COLUMBUS: On view now, throughout downtown, is the Exhibit Columbus exhibition. This signature event features site-responsive installations created by architects, designers, academics, and artists. This year’s theme, Public by Design, builds on the legacy of Columbus to explore how collaborations between communities and designers can revitalize and reimagine historic downtowns as equitable, beautiful, and joyful places. Stop by the Visitors Center, 506 Fifth St., to pick up a field guide to help you explore the exhibition on your own or sign up for a guided tour (reserve a spot at columbus.in.us). The exhibition is free and open to the public.

INN AT IRWIN GARDENS OPEN GARDEN TOURS: 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 24, 608 Fifth St. No need for an appointment. The Fifth Street gate remains open during those hours, and visitors can come and go as they please. Information: 812-376-3663.

F IND MORE TO DO

The Columbus Area Visitors Center is preparing to answer questions and be a help to all of the visitors to the city for marathon weekend. Staff and volunteers from the center will be at the Health and Fitness Expo on Sept. 22. The booth will include maps of the city, restaurant guides and brochures about the area.

On Sept. 23 the Visitors Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with guided tours scheduled during the afternoon at 12:45 and 2:45 p.m. for the Miller House & Garden tours and the 2 p.m. Architecture tour. Advance reservations are required. Book online at columbus.in.us.

Visitors who would like to take a self-guided tour can download the Columbus IN Tours app for Apple or Android. This free app will direct you to points of interest downtown and provide an audio description and photos of each site.

Columbus is overflowing with architectural gems, most prominent among them examples of midcentury modernist marvels. Among them is First Christian Church, 531 Fifth St. Designed by Eliel Saarinen, the landmark and its congregation celebrates its 81st birthday this year.

H ADLEY FRUITS FOR L ANDMAR k COLUMBUS FOUNDATION

iNTERNaTiONal CiTy W HAT TO SEE IN C OLUMBUS

Although located squarely in America’s heartland, Columbus is truly an international city. People from all over the world call Columbus home. Currently, 44 native languages are spoken by students in the public school system. Much of the area’s ethnic diversity stems from the business community. More than 30 international companies from countries such as Japan, China, India, germany, Korea and Canada have facilities here. Cummins Inc., headquartered in Columbus, is a global company that brings many international employees to the community.

‘THE VERY BEST’

This has never been a city to settle for “good enough.” Columbus is still guided by the vision expressed in 1964 by the late J. Irwin Miller, former Cummins chairman and philanthropist.

“We would like to see the community come to be not the cheapest in America, but the very best community of its size in the country. We would like to see it become the city in which the smartest, the ablest, the best young families anywhere would like to live … a community that is open to every race, color and opinion; that makes them feel welcome and at home here … a community which will offer their children the best education available anywhere … a community of strong, outspoken churches, of genuine cultural interests, exciting opportunities for recreation. No such community can be built without citizens determined to make their community best.”

More than 50 years later, the city has come a long way toward fulfilling Miller’s vision. Columbus is ranked sixth in the nation for innovative architecture design by the American Institute of Architects. It also has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America, one of the Safest Metropolitan Areas (America’s Safest Cities), one of the Best Places to Live and Launch a Business (Fortune Small Business magazine) and one of the top Historical

Places in the World (National Geographic Traveler magazine).

ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES

Columbus’ stature as one of the world’s architectural showcases draws visitors from around the world. The notion that a small town could be home to architecturally significant buildings was not lost on community leaders. Through the Cummins Foundation and leadership of J. Irwin Miller, an offer was made to pay the architectural fees for the design of a much-needed public school. Later, the offer was extended for all public buildings if the architects were selected from a foundation list. Today there are more than 60 public and private buildings designed by notable architects.

NOTABLE BUILDINGS

Among the notable structures are Bartholomew County Public Library, by I. M. Pei (1969); Cummins Irwin Conference Center, Eero Saarinen (1954); Clifty Creek Elementary School, Richard Meier (1982); The Republic Building, Myron Goldsmith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (1971); St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (1988) and Columbus Signature Academy — Lincoln Campus (1967), both by Gunnar Birkerts; and North Christian Church, Eero Saarinen. Many of the well-known buildings are in the downtown area, mixed with historic

structures from Columbus’ early years. The shops along the city’s main street — Washington Street — have been restored or maintained to keep their historical perspective.

The county courthouse, built in 1874, anchors the southern edge of downtown. Next to it is a limestone monument to Bartholomew County veterans who died serving their country. The old blends with the new as life moves on.

ExHIBIT COLUMBUS

Exhibit Columbus is an exploration of community, architecture, art, and design that activates the modern legacy of Columbus, Indiana. On view now throughout downtown, the event places the modern legacy of Columbus into a global perspective by bringing together people, ideas, and inspiration. This signature event features “Public by Design” site-responsive installations created by architects, designers, academics, and artists. Stop by the Visitors Center, 506 Fifth St., to pick up a field guide to help you explore the exhibition on your own or sign up for a guided tour (reserve a spot at columbus.in.us). The exhibition is free and open to the public. Learn more at exhibitcolumbus.org.

VISITORS CENTER TOURS

The Columbus Area Visitors Center, 506 Fifth St., offers a variety of tours. Knowledgeable staff members are on hand to answer questions about all Columbus has to offer. Visitors can watch a video showcasing several of the prominent designers whose buildings stand throughout the city. Drive by the Visitors Center after dark to see the illuminated 9-foot-tall sculpture by glass artist Dale Chihuly. “Yellow Neon Chandelier” contains 900 pieces of hand-blown glass.

kIDSCOMMONS

This three-floor interactive children’s museum at 309 Washington St. has multimedia exhibits that entice the visitor at every turn. These include Our House, an exposition of the world’s various cultures; ExploraHouse, which demonstrates how a house is made and the various forms of energy used to power it; the Climbing Wall; and The Camp Kidscommons exhibit, which introduces kids to nature, native animals, and the great outdoors. Kidscommons offers educational programs for children of all ages. Information: kidscommons.org or 812378-3046.

THE COMMONS

This multifunctional civic center’s history is more than 40 years old. Designed by Cesar Pelli, it was completed in 1973. The Commons, 300 Washington St., reopened in 2011 after being torn down and redesigned. The Boston-based planning and design firm Koetter Kim & Associates and Indianapolis-based CSO Architects designed the new-look Commons, and the Cummins Inc. office building connected to it. The Commons includes restaurants, a performance space, conference center and children’s play area. It is home to one of the community’s most iconic pieces of public art, “Chaos I,” by Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely.

ATTERBURY-BAk ALAR AIR MUSEUM

Bakalar Air Force Base opened in 1943. It was used as a training base for crews of B-25 and B-26 Bombers, C-46 and C-47 Transport Aircraft and CG-4 Gliders during World War II. Bakalar was closed by the Department of Defense in 1970, the city of Columbus received the title in 1972, and it was renamed Columbus Municipal Airport in 1982. Exhibits at the museum, 4742 Ray Boll Blvd., include scale aircraft, World War II glider pilots, Tuskegee Airmen, barracks, art, Columbus manufacturers and more.

ZAHARAkOS

Zaharakos is characterized as an “ice cream parlor and museum,” which is true enough, but it would be hard to overstate its status for more than 100 years as a Columbus institution. That is what makes its 2009 renovation, so apparent in every detail, such a labor of love. The original marble and onyx countertop and soda fountain, mahogany woodwork and Welte Orchestrion, a giant music box, are all back. The museum side is a treasure trove of artifacts from the heyday of the great American ice cream parlor.

FIRST C HRISTIAN C HURCH AND HENRY MOORE’S “L ARGE ARCH ”

The Mill Race Marathon would like to thank our generous sponsors who make this race possible and showcases our community as a great place to live and work.

m ain Spon S or S

AEI

ZwanzigZ

White River Running Company

SGS Transportation

Valvoline

KPIT Technologies Inc.

Martin Supply

Ryan Furr Creative

Columbus Cycling and Fitness

Diamon D

Manar, Inc l QMIX

Elwood Staffing

Columbus Running Club

Culligan

Strand Associates

ERS-OCI Wireless

LHP

Elaine Hilber for City Council

Aton Storage

Boyer Machine & Tool, Inc.

Delta Dental

Sunright America

Premise Health