I started participating in this race in the late 1980s, and I have run in several in the last few years. I long for the speed I once had, but am truly grateful that my health allows me to continue running. The Mini-marathon accommodates a wide swath of skills and speed for runners. It is well organized and well attended. They have so improved the days when a mass of 10 to 20 thousand massed in the downtown area and taking some time to actually run. Now, with the invention of corrals and controlled starts, it is awesome that you can run very close to the beginning of the race. Elite runners are in special areas to get a start truly easily and fast.The corrals are graded to place people with relatively similar running skills.
The information provided continues in a regular stream with health and fitness hints and opportunities. There are reminders are getting in seed results in order to get a better start position. There are training race opportunities along the way. The expo distributes the artifacts of the race efficiently and easily. Given there are about 30K entrants, it occurs very smoothly. The course is not terribly interesting... it is an urban setting. One charming portion moves the course around the Indy 500 Racing track and through the supports areas of the race. This is somewhat grueling given how much radiant heat seems to appear from this surface in the morning sun. There are not a lot of opportunities to walk on such surfaces ordinarily, so this is interesting. BTW, an historic pastime of the race is the appearance of music along the race course... each barely out of hearing range, and with a range of musical styles.
I continue to enjoy it and have already signed up for the next (just before my 73rd birthday). I am really looking forward to the event.