Back Your Badge Marathon
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Event overview
The Back Your Badge Marathon takes place in Plainfield, Indiana on September 19-20, 2026. The event offers multiple distances and a kids race, all starting and finishing at the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center in Plainfield, IN 46168.
- Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 5k
- Kids Run
Runners choose a team to "back" during registration: Police, 911, or Fire. Registered participants receive a shirt in the team color, a finisher medal, and other standard race items.
Courses and aid stations
The event features USATF certified courses with route sections on paved county and neighborhood roads, Historic US 40, Franklin Park, the Vandalia Trail, and local parks and neighborhoods. The marathon course includes running through a fire station bay, Hummel Park trails, and passages past local public safety facilities.
Aid stations, restrooms, and medical support are placed along the courses. Examples include water at Mile 1.7, restroom and medical aid at Mile 3.2, larger aid stations with water, Gatorade, ice, cooling towels and medical support around Miles 12.2 and 13.5, and support near the later miles such as Mile 24 and Mile 25.1.
Logistics and awards
The race uses chip timing with live results and provides digital finisher certificates and course photos. SWAG includes a shirt, finisher medal, and an optional medal display. Cash prizes are listed for the top three male and female finishers in the marathon and half marathon: Marathon 1st $250, 2nd $150, 3rd $75; Half-Marathon 1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50. Age-group awards and non-cash prizes for the 5k are also offered. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
