Half Marathon runs through heart of Historic Meridian Park
HMP residents cheered, chalked streets, made more than 50 inspirational signs, and played music to motivate the 2,945 runners and walkers participating in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 7. The half marathon participants ran and walked through HMP along Washington Boulevard and Pennsylvania Street between 30th and 34th Streets.
Many participants expressed their appreciation to neighbors for their warm welcome. According to one participant who contacted HMP through its website: “…it was such a pleasant surprise and so uplifting to see the welcome messages, yard signs, chalk drawings, and cheering neighbors as we trudged through your streets. Thank you so much for supporting us, and please know how much it means to the runners and walkers to hear your words of encouragement and to see your waves and smiles. What a great way to get your community together, and we all appreciated it so very much. Thank you!”
“The day was beautiful and the cause — our public schools — was a wonderful reason for us all to come together,” said long-time HMP resident Lorraine Phillips Vavul. “We feel very lucky that the half marathon chose to come down two of our three main thoroughfares.”
“We love the opportunity to show off our neighborhood,” summarized HMP President Doug Day. “We truly appreciate the support of neighbor Gretchen Turner who spearheaded our neighborhood’s supportive efforts for the marathon.”