Back Your Badge Marathon 2026

The Back Your Badge Marathon is a Plainfield, Indiana race weekend focused on local first responders, featuring a marathon, half marathon, 5K, and Kids Fun Run. The marathon and half marathon begin at 7:30 AM, the 5K starts just before, and all three main races commence and conclude at the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation and Aquatic Center. The course is USA Track & Field certified, fast and flat, and the marathon can serve as a Boston qualifier, with a 7-hour time limit for the full distance and a 4-hour limit for the half. The route follows historic US 40, the Plainfield Trail System, parks, paved trails, and roads past police, fire, and communications facilities, including a run through a fire house bay. Each participant selects a public safety agency to represent, with every mile contributing to that agency’s total; the agency accumulating the most miles earns bragging rights and a traveling trophy. Proceeds benefit the chosen agencies, the Town of Plainfield sponsors the event, and the race coincides with the Quaker Day Festival, concluding with a Victory Party and Beer Garden post-finish.