Contact: Allison Dininger
Marketing, Social Media and Public Relations Intern
Beyond Monumental
allison@beyondmonumental.org
317-727-5426
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A lively race celebrating summer, community and record-breaking competition
This Saturday, the Indianapolis Monumental Mile and 5K, created by Beyond Monumental, will be returning to Indianapolis’ monumental circle. This race has a place for everyone, from record-breaking elites to families and pets in the community mile and Doggie dash. This lively event is the perfect representation of the Indianapolis community supporting each other and healthy lifestyles.
Community fun to watch for at the Indianapolis 5K and Monumental Mile
A race day for families, friends and even dogs
- Doggie Dash: The Doggie Dash is returning for its 5th annual race, giving families the chance to race with their dogs while supporting Friends of Indy Animals! Every registration equates to $5 donated to the nonprofit, and runners can even sign up to run with shelter dogs.
- Community Mile: This family-friendly and non-competitive race is the perfect way for everyone to celebrate wellness and enjoy the summer downtown. Strollers and wagons are welcome.
Breaking boundaries and sub-four miles
The elite athletes have been training to break the four-minute mile record and compete for a $500 cash prize, along with a $500 time bonus for breaking the 4:00 (men) or 4:30 (women) barriers.
- The Men’s Elite Field Highlights include: Ryan Drew takes the lead for the Men’s Elite Field with a seed time of 3:56. Seth Elking is hot on Drew’s heels with a seed time of 3:59. Scott Spaanstra and Ben Nagel are both on the four-minute mark, and looking to break that barrier on the road.
- The Women’s Elite Field Highlights include: Halle Hill, an NCAA national qualifier with a 4:13 personal record, leads the women’s field. Mikayla Reed, previous champion of the Monumental Mile, has a speed of 4:42 follows close behind. Lani Bloom returns with a second-place achievement from last year’s Monumental 5K with a speed of 16:48. Maddie Salek, with a seed time of 4:46, provides tough competition for the other runners.
Torchy Challenge- A New Way to Experience the Race
Participants who register for both the 5K and mile this year are automatically entered into the Torchy Challenge! This challenge allows runners to test their strength and experience the race in a unique way. Finishers of both the 5K and the Mile will get to join the list of first year Torchy Challenge winners and get a commemorative 2026 Torchy Award.
Celebrating Corporate Wellness
The Monumental Corporate Cup will return to honor Central Indiana companies promoting employee health, well-being, and community involvement through fitness and volunteerism.
- Small Business Champion Award Recipient – Fleet Feet
- Medium Business Champion Award Recipient – Brooks
- Large Business Champion Awards Recipient – CNO Financial Group
- Receiving the award on behalf of CNO Financial Group: Elizabeth Kinder, Director, Community Relations.
Traffic Advisory:
There are multiple lane closures during the Indianapolis Monumental Mile and 5K on Saturday, June 20:
The West half of the Monument Circle will be closed from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. for the 5K. The West curb lanes on Pennsylvania Street from Saint Joseph Street to Saint Joseph Street, and on Saint Joseph Street from Saint Joseph Street to Meridian Street, will be closed from 7:35-8:45 a.m.
New York Street will be closed. No traffic will be allowed from Meridian to Penn Street from 8-11:15 a.m. St. Clair, North, Michigan, New York, and Ohio streets will have rolling closures for each race, but traffic will be able to cross between races.
Schedule
| Time | Wave |
| 6:00 a.m. | Packet Pickup and Gear Check |
| 7:30 a.m. | Indianapolis 5K |
| 8:45 a.m. | Doggie Dash |
| 9:00 a.m. | Community Mile |
| 9:15 a.m. | Youth & High School Mile |
| 9:30 a.m. | Open Mile |
| 9:40 a.m. | Masters Mile |
| 9:50 a.m. | Elite Female Mile |
| 9:56 a.m. | Elite Male Mile |
| 10:15 a.m. | Monumental Corporate Cup |
7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. – These monumental races conclude with a Post-Race Party featuring music, food, and drink, and a perfect view of the Finish Line! The party will take place in the southwest quadrant of University Park and will celebrate everyone’s commitment to wellness.
The Indianapolis 5K & Monumental Mile has a race for everyone and attracts participants of all ages and abilities. The 2025 event has a full slate of races throughout the morning, including a 5K, a Doggie Dash, and Non-Competitive Community race, Youth, Masters, Open and Elite divisions of the mile. All finishers will get to take home a Finisher’s Medal, Torchy Challenge participants will get an additional prize, and participants over 21+ can redeem a free adult beverage in the Post-Race Party.
CNO Financial Group, a long-standing Monumental partner and title sponsor of the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, will be available on-site for interviews or quotes upon request. Our partners support Beyond Monumental’s mission of actively supporting youth health and well-being by providing access to exceptional events and programs centered around the sport of running.
On-site registration will be available on race day, subject to availability, beginning at 6:00 a.m. on the south side of University Park along E New York Street. For more information, please visit monumentalmile.com.
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About Beyond Monumental
Beyond Monumental, the 501(c)3 non-profit responsible for the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, provides the Indianapolis community with a complement of activities built around their premiere event that promotes healthy living & fitness for all ages. Beyond Monumental gives back to the Indianapolis community by supporting youth programming that reinforces healthy lifestyles for young people, with an emphasis on working with urban students and Indianapolis Public Schools, donating over $1.6 million since inception. The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is a top 15 marathon in the US and is nationally recognized by Runners’ World as one of “Ten Great Marathons for First Timers”. The 18th annual running is scheduled for Nov. 8, 2025. For more information, please visit beyondmonumental.org.