2026 Ohio Northern Indoor Marathon and Half Marathon

Registration

Register Here

The participants in the event will be decided on a first-come-first-served basis using the online link above. The deadline for registration is December 31, 2025 or until the race is filled (it is expected to fill much sooner). We will notify you by e-mail if you are accepted in the race when we receive your registration and payment. If we receive your response after the field of 40 runners is reached, we will promptly return your registration fee. Updated registration lists will be periodically posted on the race website.

Race Fee:
$100 for the marathon or half marathon. Fee will include a t-shirt and finisher’s medal.

Race Information

Packet Pickup:
Packet pickup will be the morning of the race, Sunday, Jan. 25, starting at 6:30 a.m.

Awards:
The first male and female finisher in each race distance will receive an award. There will be no age-group awards due to the small field size. Unfortunately, runners cannot use their time from an indoor marathon to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Qualifying Standard:
There is no qualifying standard to enter the race. However, after six hours (at 1:30 p.m.), we will no longer time runners due to facility restrictions.

Field Size:
A maximum of 40 runners will be able to compete in the event, but race organizers reserve the right to make exceptions or increase the field size.

Course:
The course will be 211 laps for the marathon and 105.5 laps for the half marathon on the indoor, 200-meter track in the field house in the ONU Sports Center. Every 30 minutes, runners will change directions after finishing their current lap. While you may be able to watch the snow falling through the glass walls, the conditions for the race will be comfortable and dry.

The marathon course is USATF certified: OH10061PR. Please note that certification indicates that the course is not shorter than marathon length. However, as is the case with any track event (or road course with numerous turns), runners will likely run a further distance as they pass competitors on turns and as they switch directions in outside lanes. Thus, many runners find that running a ‘personal best’ marathon time in an indoor marathon is not as easy as the ideal weather conditions and flat terrain might suggest.

Changing directions:
Every 30 minutes, a large orange cone will be placed at the start/finish line. When runners pass the cone, they should switch directions and begin running in the outside lanes until all runners have changed directions.

Timing:
Timing will begin with a gun start, and an overall time for each runner will be obtained using a FinishLynx timing system. Members of the ONU cross country and track & field teams will be timing each lap and recording it. Runners will receive their lap splits following the completion of the event. The timing system will be removed after six hours (at 1:30 p.m.) due to time restrictions in the facility.

Aid Stations:
There will be two aid stations on the track throughout the event: one at each end of the track. It is recommended that runners bring their own water bottles, sports drink, gels, food, etc. These items can be placed on the tables, and runners can use them at any time by stopping at the table or picking up their items and carrying them between the tables. Water and sports drinks will be available throughout the event.

Restrooms:
Restrooms are located just outside the Field House, and runners can use them throughout the event.

Music:
Headsets will not be allowed during the marathon. We will have music playing for the entire duration of the race.

Spectators:
Spectators are welcome, and seating is available beside the track. However, we ask that runners do not allow friends, etc., to run with them during the marathon due to space restrictions. Strollers are not allowed on the track, and pets are not allowed in the Field House.

Waiver:
Knowing that participating in a marathon or half marathon is a potentially dangerous activity, I enter and run this race certifying that I am medically able and trained. I also assume any and all risks associated with participating in this event, including the effects of heat. I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators or anyone else who might claim on my behalf, waive, release and discharge any other parties associated with this race, including race organizers, Ohio Northern University, sponsors and volunteers, from claims of any kind or nature arising out of, or in the course of, my participation in this event. The undersigned further grants full permission to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings, or any other record of this event for promotional and other legal purposes. I also certify that I am at least 18 years old on the day of this marathon. I have read the foregoing and verify my agreement by my signature below.

Directions and Hotel

The ONU Sports Center is located on the campus of Ohio Northern University on W. Lincoln Ave., Ada, OH 45810. Click here for a map.

The Inn at Ohio Northern University is located on campus, just a five-minute walk from the Sports Center. Please call the Inn directly at 419-772-2500 or 866-713-4513 to reserve your room. A late checkout time is available for an extra fee — check with the Inn when making reservations. There are additional hotels in the nearby cities of Lima and Findlay.

Race Supporters

We would like to thank all of our marathon sponsors, including:

• The Inn at Ohio Northern University – Ada, Ohio
• Second Sole – Perrysburg, Ohio

Some of the past proceeds from the ONU Polar Bear Indoor Marathon and Half Marathon helped to purchase ElliptiGO bikes to provide cross-training and low-impact workouts for injured cross country and track & field student-athletes. Thank you for your support!