Around Indy, the Drumstick Dash has become an annual tradition for many, and it’s easy now to see why. This year was my first time attending the Drumstick Dash and it was a blast! The idea of getting up early on a holiday to go out for run/walk with a 20,000 other people didn’t appeal to me much at first, but, after the fact, I’m happy after that I went.

From the information and packet pickup before the race, to the set up of the race itself, the entire event is very well organized. There was no wondering where to park, where to start the race or what amenities would be available during the race.

Parking at Glendale Mall was ideal and it’s an easy walk from there to the start of the race (less than a mile away). There’s also a shuttle there to/from the race if you want to save on all the walking. If you have your bib beforehand, arriving at least 30-45 minutes before the start of the run will give you enough time to grab a coffee or water, stop for a pre-race restroom break and get to your corral.

I loved the fact that this race accommodated both runners and walkers of all fitness levels! It was a fun, no-pressure activity to start off Thanksgiving day while helping out a great local organization. The only thing I would have changed is the picking up of the bibs beforehand — I’d rather have had the option to pay extra to have the packet content shipped ahead of time, but that’s a gripe I have with any race like this. Overall, it was a great event and I look forward to going back again next year.