The Zionsville Optimist Club is proud to announce our 42nd annual Hit the Bricks 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, September 28. We’ve had 41 consecutive years with no rain!

This year’s event features the usual 5K race/walk utilizing elements of Zionsville’s Rail Trail and also looping through the historic downtown area before returning to the start/finish at the Town Hall. Additionally we will have an 3K walk (Not timed) for those that may want a more leisurely stroll through Zionsville.

We are excited to announce that we are highlighting the local charity Sylvia's Child Advocacy Center as part of our Hit the Bricks fundraising and will be contributing a large portion of funds to this worthy organization after the race. The Zionsville Optimist Club plans to spotlight other local charities that support children in the Zionsville/Boone County area in future years.

Our mission at Sylvia’s Child Advocacy Center is to reduce trauma to a child victim of abuse by allowing them to tell their story in a safe, comfortable and child-focused environment, with a trained forensic interviewer who will ask age-appropriate and non-leading questions. The child’s multidisciplinary team of law enforcement, prosecutor’s office, child protective services, mental health provider, and victim advocate work together to shepherd the child and his or her family toward the first steps of healing.
In October 1965, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens died after being held captive for nearly three months, by her caregiver. Her death sparked action across police departments, prosecution, and the halls of the Indiana General Assembly, plus movies and books.

Sylvia’s tragic death shocked an entire state and community into recognizing the horrors of child abuse in a way no case had before or since.

Sylvia’s CAC is named in her honor. We work every day to remember her name, honor her life, and protect children in Boone County from the same anguish and torture Sylvia endured.

Established in 1981, the Zionsville Optimist Club is a local chapter of Optimist International (optimist.org). Our motto is “Friend of Youth”. Please help us fund important programs for youth in our community. The Zionsville Optimist Club is well known for their support of local youth and other local charities.

This event is our largest Optimist Club fundraiser for the year. Monies raised support multiple local organizations and programs including;

Graduating ZCHS Senior scholarships / Sponsorships of local youth sports / Optimist Club Oratorical Contest / 3rd Grade Zionsville History Program  / Funding for Textbook, Sports and Musical Instrument Assistance / Boone County Boys & Girls Club / 4-H / The HAWK Foundation / Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding / So Big Mountain House Maternity Home / ZCHS After Prom Event / Holiday Gifts for Families in Need / Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana / Sylvia's Child / Zionsville Food Pantry

Register today!
For more information on the Zionsville Optimist Club Click Here

The race start/finish is at Zionsville Town Hall. The route will be similar to previous years and will include running the rail trail and Zionsville's brick main street.

Great looking shirts will be included with your registration through Wednesday, September 18th! Be sure to register by that day to guarantee your shirt!

Shirts/sizes may be limited starting Thursday, September 19.

Gift cards will be provided for overall mens and women's first, second and third place finishers.
There will be age-group awards for the top finisher in each age group of the 5k.

Age groups will be in 5-year increments starting at 14 & under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34..., and 70+.

Post Race Raffle
In addition to the normal overall and age-group award prizes, Hit the Bricks offers the "best post race raffle prizes in Central Indiana"! We've got gift cards, coupons, dinner options and much more from many of Zionsville's best restaurants and businesses. We've really pulled out all the stops for our 42nd Anniversary race. (must be present at post race prize giving to win).

6:30am: Race-day check in
8:00am: 5K Race/Walk
8:05am: 3K Walk (approx. time)

Participants will have the option to pickup their materials (shirt & bib #) on Friday and Saturday.

We will also offer on-site registration both days, as well.

Friday, September 27
Runners Forum - Zionsville (4335 W 106th Street)
5:00pm - 7:00pm

Saturday, September 28
Zionsville Town Hall (1100 W. Oak Street). Enter through the main entrance of the Town Hall.
6:30am - 8:00am

Race-day registration for individuals is $40 for the 5K Run/Walk and the 3K.
For families, race-day registration is $80 for the first two people, then $20 for each additional person.

The 5k course is fast with some rolling hills, and will have you running down Main Street in Zionsville (brick street - hence the name "Hit the Bricks"), through neighborhoods and along the Zionsville Rail Trail.

The 3K is untimed, and will also utilize the Zionsville Rail Trail and downtown Zionsville village area.

Zionsville Optimist Club is featuring Sylvia's Child Advocacy Center as a spotlight charity for this years event. Multiple other local organizations will also benefit from the race.

For event-related questions, please click on the *Contact the Organizers* button on the left-hand side of this page.