INDIANAPOLIS (June 10, 2019) – The Indy Women’s Half Marathon and 5K has announced that it is expanding its purse to the top 20 finishers for this year’s half marathon, scheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2019. The top positions in the 5K will also offer a cash payout, bringing the total purse money presented to $4,000, the largest in the nine-year history of the event.
Since its start in 2010, the Indy Women’s Half Marathon has grown to be largest women’s-only running event in Indiana and the seventh largest women’s-only half marathon in the United States. The event draws many running teams, clubs and social groups and last year included participants from 38 states.
The increased purse offered to competitors in this year’s race reflects the growing popularity of the race among local and regional elite competitors. The 2018 race featured several runners who have secured qualifying times for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials, including the 2018 Indy Women’s Half Champion Pasca Myers. Myers won in a time of 1:16:03 and then went on to run a time of 2:34:21 at the California International Marathon in December 2018 to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta. Race organizers anticipate that the 2019 Indy Women’s Half will be just as competitive as the 2018 race. In addition to a strong lineup of elite runners, this year’s field will include thousands of others who are running for a personal best, running to honor a loved one, or are just running for fun.
“The Indy Women’s Half Marathon has grown to be a race that attracts world-class runners, and we want our awards to reflect the quality of competition that we have in this race,” said Race Director Todd Oliver. “We hope this decision shows runners how serious we are about continuing to grow the Indy Women’s Half Marathon and supporting the talented runners from Indiana and across the country who join us to race.”
For more information about the Indy Women’s Half Marathon and 5K or to register for either the half marathon or 5K, go to www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com.
About Indy Women’s Half Marathon & 5K
The Indy Women’s Half Marathon was introduced to the central Indiana running community in August 2010 as the first women’s only half marathon in Indiana. In just a few years, it has become the largest women’s running event in the state and the seventh largest women's half marathon in the country. A women’s-only race offers a unique atmosphere, emotion and camaraderie from women of all ages and abilities. According to a 2014 Running USA industry report, there are 8.6 million female runners in the U.S. Within that group, half marathons are the fastest growing race distance. The race is owned and operated by Carmel, Indiana-based CRRG Events. More information can be found at www.indywomenshalfmarathon.com, on Instagram @indywomenshalf and Twitter @CRRGevents.