Revamped Indiana Women’s Running Festival Adds Events, Fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

September 14, 2023

Inaugural walk supports Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center’s MOVE Program

CARMEL, Ind. (September 14, 2023) /SPORTSWIRE WOMEN/ – CRRG Events announced today that the 13th annual Indiana Women’s Half Marathon has grown to include four races as the revamped Indiana Women’s Running Festival. In addition to the half marathon, the Indiana Women’s Running Festival will include the Women’s 4-Miler, Women’s 5K, and Get a MOVE on Cancer 1-Mile Walk. The event, to be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, will move from downtown Indianapolis to its new home in Carmel, Ind.

The inaugural Get a MOVE on Cancer 1-Mile Walk offers participants with an opportunity to support breast cancer patients through fundraising for the Multidisciplinary Oncology Vitality and Exercise (MOVE) Program at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Race participants can donate through their registration or create a fundraising group for breast cancer awareness month, recognized globally in October.

The MOVE Program, offered free to all cancer center patients, gives individuals a personalized plan for exercise and physical therapy throughout all stages of their cancer journey. Oncologist Tarah Ballinger, MD, developed the program after finding studies prove exercise during cancer treatment reduces negative side effects, improves mood and accelerates healing.

The Indiana Women’s Half Marathon, formerly known as the Indy Women’s Half Marathon, was introduced to the central Indiana running community in August 2010 as the first women-only half marathon in Indiana. In just a few years, it became the largest women’s running event in the state and is now one of the ten largest women-only half marathons in the country. With a robust cash purse and historically competitive fields, the race regularly attracts participants from more than 35 states.

All races start and finish at Carmel’s Gazebo at Civic Square. Half marathon participants will explore popular areas and attractions such as the Monon Greenway, Carmel City Center, Midtown Plaza, the Carmel Arts & Design District, Meadowlark Park, the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, and Central Park. Like the half marathon distance, the Women’s 5K and brand-new Women’s 4-Miler offer cash awards to the top finishers. Race finishers will enjoy music and a cookout at the post-race festival, also held at the Gazebo.

“We’re thrilled to bring the 4.0 version of this event to the women’s running community,” said Todd Oliver, race director and president of CRRG Events. “We’ve taken the best parts of its past events at Monumental Circle, Military Park and IUPUI to Carmel, and bringing it all to another level with the Indiana Women’s Running Festival. With the added Get a MOVE on Cancer 1-Mile Walk, we’re looking forward to not only promoting the benefits of an active lifestyle but also helping empower those going through a difficult time.”

Registration for the Indiana Women’s Running Festival and fundraising information are available at IndyWomensHalfMarathon.com.

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About CRRG Events:

CRRG Events is an event management and production company with more than 20 years of producing successful running events. Based in Carmel, Indiana, CRRG Events has staged and managed events across 11 states ranging from a 1-mile football halftime race to ultramarathons. For more information, please visit CarmelRoadRacingGroup.com.