Sam Costa Half Marathon returns to Carmel March 24

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By Heather Collins

It’s time to start gearing up for the oldest race in the state. The 49th annual Sam Costa Half Marathon and the 13th annual Sam Costa Quarter Marathon, presented by Indy Runners, will start at 9 a.m. March 24 at Northview Church in Carmel.

CIC COM 0320 Sam Costa
Townsend

Race Director Terry Townsend said the Sam Costa Marathon began before running went mainstream. Townsend credits Frank Shorter with helping bring marathon running to the masses after winning his Olympic gold medal in the marathon during the 1972 Summer Olympics.

The marathon is named after Sam Costa, a detective from the Chicago Police Dept., who traveled from Illinois to Indiana to compete with fellow running enthusiasts and pioneers, including Chuck Koeppen, the legendary track and field coach of Carmel High School.

Townsend said he strives to create an atmosphere that is joyful and allows people to relax and have the best performance they can on race day.

“I think the Costa is the best organized, the best managed and the most participant-friendly event that you’ll run all year,” Townsend said. “And people recognize that and they come back to it.”

This year, the Sam Costa Half Marathon has been declared the 2018 Road Runners Club of America’s Indiana State Half Marathon Championship.

New to this year’s race, students from Hamilton Southeastern’s Habitat for Humanity will operate a bag check for the event. Donations from the bag check will contribute to building a house in Hamilton County.

In preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Sam Costa Marathon, event organizers are searching for all the previous male and female overall winners of the Sam Costa Marathon since the race began in 1970.

Registration is available the day of the race. For prices and additional information, visit samcosta.com.


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