This page serves two purposes:

• describe the course location within Indiana (top of page)

• give information on the course layout (bottom of page)

Course Location

The course is located centrally between some of the Midwest's major cities.  If you look to the map in the left column, The Challenge is:

• 45 minutes east of Evansville
• 35 minutes west of Louisville
• 3 hours south of Indianapolis
• 2.5 hours from Bowling Green
• 2.5 hours from Cincinnati

Below is a closer regional map zoomed in over northern Perry County.  To get the "Google Maps" link to your town and get directions/estimated driving time, click here.

Course Description

The course is a 13.1 mile / 26.2 mile run over what is known as The Two Lakes Loop in the Hoosier National Forest.  "Googling" Two Lakes Loop will give you lots of information about the trail due to its popularity among hiking enthusiasts.  The course will run a perimeter around two lakes (Indian Lake and Lake Celina).  The half marathon will run 1 loop around both lakes while those wishing to complete the full marathon will run 2 full loops around the perimeter.

CLICK HERE for an elevation chart for the course

CLICK HERE for a grade chart for the course (based on the grade of climbs and descents)

A topographic map of the trail is below:

Using a Garmin GPS navigation device, the total elevation gain for one loop (1/2 marathon course) yielded a total of 4470', which would total to 8940' for 2 loops (full marathon course).  Here's how that figure holds up to the other tough North American marathons:

Yukon River Trail Marathon       (Canada’s toughest)   8000’ elevation gain

Pikes Peak Marathon      (Colorado’s toughest)            7815’ elevation gain

Indian/Celina Challenge         (Indiana’s toughest)        6300’ elevation gain

Saddleback Mtn. Marathon    (California’s toughest)   5100’ elevation gain

Tecumseh Trail Marathon (near Bloomington, IN)           3500' elevation gain

Grandfather Mtn. Marathon (West Virginia’s toughest)  3000’ elevation gain

Land Between the Lakes Trail Marathon (KY)               1100' elevation gain

Boston Marathon                (World Renown)                459’ elevation gain

As we get closer to the race, we plan to give even more detailed notes about the course with both elevation charts and possibly mile-by-mile course analysis for better preparation for our runners.