Record-breaking performances across all three race distances headline the 19th annual event as Beyond Monumental looks ahead to its 20th anniversary
INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Four course records fell and 28 athletes achieved qualifying times for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon on Saturday at the 19th annual CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K. Record-breaking performances across all three race distances highlighted a historic day of racing that welcomed 18,000 registered participants from all 50 states and more than 35 countries.
The 28 Olympic Trials qualifying performances more than doubled the 13 recorded in 2025, further establishing Indianapolis as a premier destination for competitive distance running.
Johnnie Guy captured the men’s marathon title in 2:11:47, breaking the previous course record of 2:12:29 set by Joseph Whelan in 2025.
On the women’s side, returning champion Lindsey Bradley claimed her second Monumental Marathon title and broke her own course record with a winning time of 2:29:47. Bradley previously won the 2024 event in a then-record 2:31:49. Isabel Hebner of Austin, Texas, finished just over one second behind Bradley in one of the day’s closest finishes.
The records continued in the men’s half marathon, where Owen Smith established a new course record in 1:01:42, surpassing the previous record of 1:02:25 set in 2024. The depth of competition was particularly impressive, with seven men finishing faster than the previous course record.
In the women’s 5K, Rebecca Schmitt added another record-breaking performance, winning in 15:56 to surpass the previous course record of 16:03.
Adding to the day’s standout performances, Indianapolis’ own Mikayla Reed claimed the women’s half marathon title in 1:08:51, finishing just 25 seconds shy of the event record.
Beyond the elite performances, the 2026 event marked another milestone year with its earliest sellout in event history, 14th consecutive sellout and largest marathon field for the third consecutive year. The continued growth reflects the event’s national and international appeal and the strength of Indianapolis’ running community.
Results:
CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
Men’s Champion: Johnnie Guy of Leopold, Ind., delivered a commanding victory in the men’s marathon, crossing the finish line in 2:11:47 to establish a new course record. Guy finished nearly 90 seconds ahead of the competition, breaking the previous record of 2:12:29 set by Joseph Whelan in 2025. Cameron Dickson of Jamaica Plain, Mass., finished second in 2:13:16, followed by Kobe Blanco of Spring Arbor, Mich., in 2:14:12.
Women’s Champion: Lindsey Bradley of Heath, Texas, captured her second Monumental Marathon title and broke her own course record with a winning time of 2:29:47. Bradley edged out Isabel Hebner of Austin, Texas, by just over one second in a thrilling finish, with Hebner taking second in 2:29:48. Melissa Berry of Flagstaff, Ariz., rounded out the podium in 2:31:40.
CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon
Men’s Champion: Owen Smith of Bozeman, Mont., claimed the men’s half marathon title and established a new course record in 1:01:42. Matt Richtman, also of Bozeman, finished second in 1:01:48, followed by Noah Fisher of Greenville, S.C., in 1:02:04.
Women’s Champion: Indianapolis’ Mikayla Reed captured the women’s half marathon title in 1:08:51. Marisa Howard of Boise, Idaho, finished second in 1:09:27, followed by Jessica Gockley-Day of Richfield, Minn., in 1:09:51.
CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K:
Men’s Champion: Lance Sobaski of Brighton, Iowa, in 14:28.
Women’s Champion: Rebecca Schmitt of Edgewood, N.M., in 15:56.
Other Highlights:
- The 2026 event celebrated its earliest sellout in history and 14th consecutive sellout, welcoming 18,000 registered participants from all 50 states and more than 35 countries.
- More than 8,000 marathoners crossed the finish line, marking the third consecutive year of a record participation in the marathon field.
- A total of 28 athletes achieved qualifying times for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon, more than doubling the 13 qualifying performances recorded in 2025.
- Beyond Monumental’s Run for a Cause program brought together nearly 300 athletes fundraising for charitable organizations. Among them, 26 runners supported Team Monumental Kids, raising more than $35,000 to advance youth health and well-being in Indianapolis.
“This was a defining day for the Monumental Marathon,” said Jed Cornforth, President & CEO of Beyond Monumental. “Four course records and 28 Olympic Trials qualifying performances demonstrate the incredible caliber of athletes choosing to race in Indianapolis. At the same time, seeing more than 8,000 marathoners cross our finish line is a remarkable milestone. As we approach our 20th anniversary, these achievements reflect how far we’ve come and the exciting future ahead for this event.”
“There’s something special about seeing thousands of runners, volunteers, supporters come together each year for the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon,” said Gary C. Bhojwani, Chief Executive Officer, CNO Financial Group. “As we celebrate our 11th year as title sponsor, we’re proud to continue our partnership with Beyond Monumental and grateful to the City of Indianapolis and the entire community for their support of this event. We look forward to returning for the marathon’s 20th event next year.”
CNO Financial Group, the event’s title sponsor, proudly supports their hometown marathon and celebrates Beyond Monumental’s shared commitment to health, wellness and the central Indiana community. The sponsorship continues to provide significant growth opportunities for Indy’s premier running event.
Full results, when available, can be found here.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. Participants can secure their spot for 2027 this weekend at monumentalmarathon.com. Single-event registration closes Sunday, Nov. 8 and will reopen for the tradition of special Monumental Resolution pricing on Jan. 1, 2027.
About Beyond Monumental
Beyond Monumental, the 501(c)3 non-profit responsible for the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, provides the Indianapolis community with a complement of activities built around their premier event that promotes healthy living & fitness for all ages. Beyond Monumental gives back to the Indianapolis community by supporting youth programming that reinforces healthy lifestyles for young people, with an emphasis on working with urban students and Indianapolis Public Schools, donating over $1.7 million since inception. The CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon is a top 15 marathon in the US and is nationally recognized by Runner’s World as one of “Ten Great Marathons for First Timers”. The 19th annual running is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2026. For more information, please visit beyondmonumental.org.
About CNO Financial Group
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO) secures the future of middle-income America. CNO provides life and health insurance, annuities and financial services through our family of brands, including Bankers Life, Colonial Penn, Optavise and Washington National. Our customers work hard to save for the future, and we help protect their health, income and retirement needs with 3.3 million policies and $39.3 billion in total assets. Our 3,200 associates, 5,100 exclusive agents and more than 6,500 independent partner agents guide individuals, families and businesses through a lifetime of financial decisions. For more information, visit CNOinc.com.
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SOURCE Beyond Monumental
