Mike Cole - Zionsville Monthly Magazine

March 2018 Writer // Janelle Morrison Photography // Submitted The 2018 half marathon circuit is off to a running start as the Zionsville Half Marathon is celebrating its third race on the bricks and throughout the scenic town. Mike Cole, founder and race director of Zionsville Half Marathon and 5K, is pleased with the increased registration figures he is seeing for this year’s half marathon. “It looks like we’ll have upwards of 500-600 this year based on registration traffic,” Cole said. “That’s a good number for us.” Cole, who competed in track and cross country while he attended Ball State University, is also a running coach and personal trainer who works with people at all levels of experience, from beginners to those who are competing in marathons. He purposely designed the Zionsville Half Marathon course to showcase the community and take runners through “the best sides of Zionsville.” The half marathon will be a single-looped course, starting and finishing downtown on the bricks. The race runs through several scenic Zionsville neighborhoods, goes partially along the Zionsville Rail Trail and then back into the village. “People come downtown, and they walk around,” Cole said. “They eat breakfast at Rosie’s and eat lunch at Greek’s Pizzeria. Some will stay afterward and shop and enjoy the things that Zionsville has to offer. It’s nice to be able to take runners through the town, through the different neighborhoods and trails. It’s definitely not a flat course, but it’s not a super hilly course either.” Prize money is awarded to the top three overall males and females and first place masters in the half marathon. Medals are awarded to all finishers in both races. Age group awards are presented in both the Half and the 5K run. Overall awards are presented to the winners of the 5K. The Zionsville Half Marathon and 5K will both begin on April 15 at 7:30 a.m. There is a three-hour time limit on the half marathon, and the age minimum is 10 years old. Refreshments, including pizza, will be available after the race. One free beer will be awarded to all finishers 21 and over with a valid ID as well as 15 percent off all menu items at Greek’s Pizzeria. Local supporting sponsors of the Zionsville Half Marathon include Endurance House, Run 2 Race, Greek’s Pizzeria, Oyler Dentistry, New Balance and Blue Rub. Cole announced registration is currently open for the inaugural 4th of July Big Boom 5K run that will start and finish on the bricks in downtown Zionsville and will step off at 7:30 a.m. Registration and event information for both races can be found at run2race.com. Zionsville Monthly is proud to be the media sponsor for this great event in downtown Zionsville. Register at run2race.com.

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