Inspired by the success of women’s races like the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco each October, Indiana’s capital city got its own women-only race event in 2011 with the debut of the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon & 5K. Now set for its 12th annual running, the race takes runners on an out-and-back course that loops through the city’s downtown districts and follows a stretch along the banks of the White River, which flows through the city.
Indiana Women’s Half Marathon & 5K
August 30, 2025
Indianapolis
Trail
Ready to sign up?
100-500
Fast & Flat
Park Run
High: 72°
/ Low: 50°
Starting in Military Park — the oldest park in Indianapolis — in the heart of the city’s downtown district near its state capitol buildings, runners head east through downtown and then northwest out of the city, past the Indiana University campus, the home of the city’s minor league baseball team the Indianapolis Indians — and which served as the primary filming location for the 1988 movie “Eight Men Out.”
Runners then make their way northward up and around the edges of Taggart Riverside Park, running all the way south along the White River Parkway, where they’ll have views of the tree-lined parkland areas of the baseball fields and golf course inside the park on the left heading north.
Once runners cross the White River, that view includes the river as well. At the turnaround point, they’ll run around the Riverside Golf Course before making their way down south along the other side of the park and the river.
Two more river crossings later, runners will head through the university campus again before crossing the finish line at Carroll Stadium.
Overview
Inspired by the success of women’s races like the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco each October, Indiana’s capital city got its own women-only race event in 2011 with the debut of the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon & 5K. Now set for its 12th annual running, the race takes runners on an out-and-back course that loops through the city’s downtown districts and follows a stretch along the banks of the White River, which flows through the city.
Course Description
Starting in Military Park — the oldest park in Indianapolis — in the heart of the city’s downtown district near its state capitol buildings, runners head east through downtown and then northwest out of the city, past the Indiana University campus, the home of the city’s minor league baseball team the Indianapolis Indians — and which served as the primary filming location for the 1988 movie “Eight Men Out.”
Runners then make their way northward up and around the edges of Taggart Riverside Park, running all the way south along the White River Parkway, where they’ll have views of the tree-lined parkland areas of the baseball fields and golf course inside the park on the left heading north.
Once runners cross the White River, that view includes the river as well. At the turnaround point, they’ll run around the Riverside Golf Course before making their way down south along the other side of the park and the river.
Two more river crossings later, runners will head through the university campus again before crossing the finish line at Carroll Stadium.
