Four Course Records and 28 Olympic Trials Qualifiers Highlight Historic 2026 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
CNO Financial Group (CNO) marked its 11th year as title sponsor of the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and related races.
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CNO Financial Group (CNO) marked its 11th year as title sponsor of the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and related races. The 19th annual event produced four course records and 28 qualifying performances for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Marathon, compared with 13 in 2025.
The races welcomed 18,000 registered participants from all 50 states and more than 35 countries. More than 8,000 marathoners finished, and the event recorded its 14th consecutive sellout. Johnnie Guy won the men's marathon in 2:11:47, while Lindsey Bradley won the women's race in 2:29:47, both course records. Owen Smith set the men's half-marathon record at 1:01:42, and Rebecca Schmitt set the women's 5K record at 15:56. CNO said it looks forward to returning for the event's 20th edition next year.
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Record-breaking performances across all three race distances headline the 19th annual event as Beyond Monumental looks ahead to its 20th anniversary
The 28 Olympic Trials qualifying performances more than doubled the 13 recorded in 2025, further establishing
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
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,
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
Results:
CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
Men's Champion: Johnnie Guy of
Women's Champion: Lindsey Bradley of Heath,
CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon
Men's Champion: Owen Smith of
Women's Champion: Indianapolis' Mikayla Reed captured the women's half marathon title in 1:08:51. Marisa Howard of
CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental 5K:
Men's Champion: Lance Sobaski of
Women's Champion: Rebecca Schmitt of
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 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
"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
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
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
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
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SOURCE Beyond Monumental