Running Smoothly
Geist Half Marathon and 5K Moves to New September Date
Writer / Renee Larr
Photography Provided
Runners, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the Geist Half Marathon and 5K each year in April. This year the event team celebrates its 15th anniversary with a move to the fall. The race will take place on September 16 around the beautiful Geist Reservoir.
“Originally, a group of residents came together to create the race and the nonprofit that hosted the race,” says Jake Reardon McSoley, director of recreation and wellness for the City of Fishers. “The Geist Half Marathon organization board came to the city about six months ago with interest in the city taking over the planning.”
Reardon McSoley says the event perfectly aligns with the city’s health initiatives. The city is also partnering with Vision Event Management. During those early conversations, the planning team learned of community feedback. Previous participants’ feedback included moving the race to the fall. Reardon McSoley says the move came down to a few significant reasons – timing, weather and roadwork.
“In the past, the date it was offered was about two weeks away from the largest half marathon in the state and the Midwest, the Mini Marathon,” Reardon McSoley says. “That makes it very difficult to compete with another race. There aren’t a ton of runners who participate in both races.”
The demographics for the Geist Half Marathon are similar to the demographics of the Fishers community. Many parents and families participate each year, but find the spring timing difficult due to other events. Reardon McSoley says with spring comes more outdoor events, and families needed help choosing which ones to prioritize.
Spring in Indiana is often filled with pleasantly warm, sunny days and the occasional colder, gray days. Reardon McSoley says the planning team looked into fall weather and found better average temperatures in September. Runners and walkers will experience the sights of vibrant fall foliage around Geist Reservoir. The race showcases some of the beautiful neighborhoods in the Geist area.
“Another reason the move to the fall made sense was due to roadwork,” Reardon McSoley says. “Road projects always kick off in the spring, and that makes a race through the streets of Fishers a bit of a challenge. By the fall, that’s usually a different story.”
One significant change for the 5K is a new route adding a new, major attraction to the area – Geist Waterfront Park. Reardon McSoley says the city is excited to show off the new park to race participants. He says the course was already beautiful, but adding in the park will offer new and different views of the reservoir.
“We evaluated both courses to see if any improvements could be made,” Reardon McSoley says. “We decided to keep the half marathon course the same. I’ve participated in the past, but I’d forgotten how beautiful of a course it truly is. There are about eight different places where you get great views of Geist.”
Half marathon participants receive a long-sleeved tech shirt, and a soft, short-sleeved shirt for 5K participants at no additional cost. In years past, the shirts were not included in the price to enter the race. The shirt designs will be released soon, and Reardon McSoley encourages people to be on the lookout. The planning team is also working on plans for a 3” medal for half marathon finishers, and a 2.5” medal for 5K finishers.
Reardon McSoley says the team is looking to upgrade the entertainment experience for participants. He says they want to add additional entertainment along the course to keep runners and walkers energized throughout the half marathon. Interested parties can apply through the race website. He says they’re also looking for around 500 volunteers for the water stations, start and finish areas, packet pickup, food area, kids play zone, course marshal, cleanup crew, gear check, goody bag stuffing, results, awards, and event tear down.
One tradition that will continue, but with a slight upgrade, is the VIP experience. It includes special VIP gear, a post-race massage tent, all-you-can-eat catered food and drinks, and upgraded restrooms, for a small, additional per-person fee.
“Every resident of Fishers can get involved in some way in this family-friendly event, whether that’s through participating in the race, volunteering or cheering on participants,” Reardon McSoley says. “It’s a great way to showcase our community here in the City of Fishers. We encourage everyone, regardless of ability or age, to participate.”
Reardon McSoley says the planning team expects around 2,000 half marathon participants, and 1,200 5K participants. The race is a rain-or-shine event, but participant safety is paramount. Dangerous weather is monitored throughout the event. Registration is open until 5 p.m. on September 15, or until the event reaches maximum capacity. Race expo and packet pickup are on September 15 at Grace Fishers Church.
For more information, visit geisthalf.com.
