8-Hour Dream Endurance Race & Cat Nap 5K

The 8-Hour Dream Endurance Race is a fixed duration event; you have eight hours to run, walk, or stroll as far as you can. It is the largest endurance running event in Central Indiana and has experienced records each year. The Dream has SOLD OUT three years in a row primarily because our returning runner percentage is so high. Spending a day on Butler's campus at what feels like a running tailgate, while testing your limits, is truly an unforgettable experience.

Throughout the day, participants choose between the long course (5K) or the short course (1.91miles) for strategy, shade or to achieve the accurate distance they are shooting for. Both courses take you up and over the now famous Bulldog's Revenge hill. There are three ways to participate: the SOLO category, TEAM category or the Cat Nap 5K. The Team category offers three divisions (female, male and coed) and two team sizes (3-4 or 5-6 members). The Cat Nap 5K starts at the same time as The Dream offering family and friends the opportunity to run the first loop with SOLO runners.

There are two specialty TEAM divisions; the RC Cup for certified non profits and the FC Cup for "fitness clubs" or other training organizations.  Both CUP divisions will be a 6-person co-ed only containing 3 male and 3 female participants.  Fitness Clubs and organizations can enter multiple teams in the FC Cup division (think OrangeTheory#1 and OrangeTheory #2, etc.) but the RC Cup division only allows one entry from a running club.  Running clubs can enter teams in the OPEN division but only one competes in the RC Cup division.

For the 3-4 person COED division, the team must have one female if three people and two females if four people.  NEW for 2025, the 5-6 person COED division must have a minimum of two females if five people and 3 females if six people.

What makes The Dream unique is the start time (10 AM) the location (outside of the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on Butler University's campus) and the closing ceremonies and post-race party. The post-race party features a beer garden, music, and complimentary food!