Mike Wolanin | The Republic Children and their guardians take part in the tots division of the Mill Race Kids Fun Run at Mill Race Park in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
It may be slow now, but believe her, it’s just the calm before the storm.
That’s what Registration Coordinator Kim Bennett told a group of volunteers two hours before the 2025 Mill Race Marathon Kids Fun Run, which made a triumphant return Friday after being rained out in 2024.
The storm eventually came, but this year it was thankfully in the form of the thousands who flocked to Mill Race Park.
Bennett has been registration coordinator for the event going on a decade. And her familiarity in getting what’s known as the largest kids running event in the Midwest up and going is evident as she coaches volunteers up.
Bennett said last year it was a bit painful when the event was canceled considering the amount of work that had been put into it logistically up until the day of, adding that it was still the right decision.
“We just couldn’t live with ourselves if something happened,” Bennett said. “(But today) it feels good to have some sunshine. We can anticipate people are planning on coming, whereas last year they were seeing the rain and thinking, ‘Maybe I’m not going to mess with it.’”
The tots race got started first, just after those taking part were dazzled with a train that passed by.
The first race could only be described as a mass of humanity, with kids smiling and stumbling along and their parents by their side, some in running attire, others who clearly just got off work.
After the tots, pre-K and kindergarten students, with and without parents had their turn. Then grades first through sixth made their way through the course. All who finished received a medal.
There were 1,020 kids pre-registered for the race before the start of the day. Over 100 had added their names as of 5 p.m. Friday, organizers said. By 6 p.m., that number had jumped to 1,175 and counting.
Reethi Sriram, a sophomore at Columbus North, was setting up a booth as part of her Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter. Sriram and her two friends Nandini Kondhare and Saanvi Pradeep were raising awareness for how to treat pediatric sports injuries such as sprained ankles. The group was passing out informational flyers, bandages, gels to protect against the sun and antiseptic wipes.
When asked of her memories participating in the Fun Run as a child, Pradeep recalled being relieved to cross the finish line.
“I remember being happy I finished it because my parents would take me to ice cream after,” she said.
Mollie Adams said her sons Oliver, 7, Elliott, 5, and Jon, 3, participate in the Fun Run each year, and that Oliver is planning to join the BCSC cross country program next year because he’s taken to running.
Adalynn Barger, a third-grader, took part in her first Fun Run this year. She said while she didn’t know a whole lot about the race itself, she did say confidently that she likes running. Her dad, Todd Barger, said while he’s retired from running, he did take part in The Flying Pig Marathan in Cincinatti twice.
Anna Troutman, a student from Southside, is celebrating her 9th birthday on Saturday, she said proudly. After the Fun Run, she and a couple of friends are having a sleepover themed after KPop Demon Hunters, a movie released last month that has proven to be a skyrocketing success among young people.
Anna said after Friday’s sleepover, she and her friends are going to Starbucks, IHOP and Five Below.
“We get to tell her where we’re going,” Anna said of her mother Nicole and her birthday status. Nicole said they will enjoy KPop Demon Hunter sodas, candy and ramen later: “whatever foods you see in the movie.”
“I’m sure there will also be dancing,” Nicole went on. As with any proper birthday celebration, there will also be slime.
The course was a little different this year as well— the start and finish lines were moved away from the registration tent in front of the amphitheater to reduce congestion. In addition, school awards were based solely on the number of school finishers as a percentage of school enrollment.
For elementary students, schools that had 20% or more of kids registered finish earned $700; $500 went to schools that had between 12 to 19 percent of students registered finish; and $250 went towards schools that had eight to 11 percent of those registered finish.
For pre-schools, those that had 20% or more of those registered finish got $200 and those that had 12 to 19 percent of those registered finish received $75.
By the numbers:
- Estimated number of kids registered: 1,175 and counting
- Race length, by age group:
- Tots (4 and under): about 200 meters or 0.12 miles
- Pre-K and kindergarten with parents: 0.5 kilometers or 0.31 miles
- Pre-k and kindergarten without parents: 0.5 kilometers or 0.31 miles
- Grades 1 and 2: 1 kilometer or 0.62 miles
- Grades 3 and 4: 1.5 kilometers or 0.93 miles
- Grades 5 and 6: 1.5 kilometer or 0.93 miles
