Written by: Kimberly Eberl
Posted: Thursday, 27 March 2008
Page 5 of 5
Indiana
Illinois’ eastern neighbor is packed of challenging courses, multisport races and festivals for outdoor adventurers and their families. We can’t talk about Indiana races without the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon held on May 3. If you haven’t signed up, unfortunately you will have to wait until 2009 as the race is sold out.
If you are running the 13.1 mile course, be sure to look into hotels and make dinner reservations pronto as everything is always booked solid and you may need reservations for great carbo loading. Eric Tryba of Chicago is a repeat participant. “Without a reservation you might get in someplace like Buca di Beppo at 10:30 pm.,” he said. “If you're lucky.”
If you aren’t feeling a half marathon, the Hoosier state is also popular for its DINO Mountain Bike Series, Indiana's largest and oldest mountain bike race series. DINO stands for Do Indiana Off-Road, and races start May 3 at the Winona Lake Trail. www.dinoseries.com
The race is a part of the Northern Indiana Fat & Skinny Tire Festival in Winona, which includes road bike events, kids events and entertainment.
There are plenty of non-cycling activities for families and friends, too.The Muncie Endurathon on July 12, is a a long course event with a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run. Muncie in July can be very hot, though, so beware. Although being on Ball State’s campus you can find affordable accommodations. For even more spirited adventure, look into the Memorial Day Trail Run Extreme 12K, part of the XYZ Trail Series Race. On Memorial Day, this “Xtremely” rugged 12K trail course in Portage, Ind., traverseshills, log jumps, creek crossings, mud and switchbacks over single track mountain bike trails.
For Notre Dame fans, you can’t beat the Sunburst Marathon and Half Marathon on May 31. Start at the College Football Hall of Fame and finish at Notre Dame. If you’re not up for the full marathon or half, take advantage of the 5K/10K runs This year mark’s the race’s 25th year. www.sunburstraces.org
Canoefest 2008 in Brookville, Ind., (near the Ohio border) looks promising as Brookville is celebrating its Bicentennial year. Canoefest, June 27-28, is the largest canoe race in Indiana. In addition to races, there is a Talent Show, Chicken Fry Off and trophies for categories such as "Best Historical Outfit While Participating in a Canoe or Kayak Race.” http://www.canoefest.orgz/
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What's the appeal of endurance sports? It's hard to say, but it's easy to see that more and more athletes are getting hooked on 24-hour bike rides, ultraruns and any other way they can get an endurance fix. 
