Last Updated on October 9, 2018 by cassnetwork
INDIANAPOLIS – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announced that registration has opened for the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Set for Saturday, May 4, the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon will mark the race’s 43rd running.
Named one of “America’s Most Iconic Races” by Runners World, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of the nation’s largest half marathons (for the past 20 years) and annually attracts participants from all 50 states and 15+ countries around the world. Known as The Greatest Spectacle in Running, the race starts and finishes in downtown Indianapolis and includes a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500. The flat, fast course is packed with thousands of the nicest volunteers you’ll ever meet, 16 course aid stations and nearly 100 course entertainment acts.
Now through October 31, participants can lock in the race’s lowest rate of $65. Prices will increase starting Nov. 1.
“The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has become an incredible tradition to kick start the month of May in Indianapolis, and no city does a better job of hosting massive events than Indy,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “This 13.1-mile course has so much history and iconic allure with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but it’s the people and volunteers who come together to provide entertainment throughout the course, massive cheering sections and pit stations that make all the difference. We’re excited for the next edition of The Greatest Spectacle in Running.”
A new addition to the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the Gold Mile, a segment of the course paying tribute to fallen service members and their surviving families. This inspirational mile will be lined with thousands of feet of patriotic décor, hundreds of American flags and volunteers dressed in gold shirts, greeting participants with pictures, banners, signs and sentimental items of their fallen heroes. The Gold Mile will be located along the backstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a segment known for being the toughest peak of the race. The Gold Mile provides OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants with the opportunity to honor and celebrate the lives of service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice and connect with the surviving family members of the fallen. The tribute will provide inspiration, motivation and support for participants and surviving family members.
The 2019 Mini-Marathon weekend will feature a number of different race distances for participants of all ages and abilities. Participants can choose to run the half marathon, the 5K, or one of the three challenges that incorporate multiple races.
The Greatest Spectacle Challenge (35.2 Miles)
Participants of The Greatest Spectacle Challenge will tackle all of the 500 Festival running events during the spring season, including the Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, the 500 Festival 5K, and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Greatest Spectacle participants will receive a commemorative shirt and medal as well as shirts and medals for the Miler Series, 5K, and Mini-Marathon (a total of four medals and shirts).
Mini Maniac Challenge (32.1 Miles)
Mini Maniac Challenge participants will take on all 32.1 miles of the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy in February, March, and April, and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in May. Mini Maniac participants will receive a commemorative shirt and medal in addition to the shirts and medals for the Miler Series and Mini-Marathon.
Mega Mini Challenge (16.2 Miles)
Mega Mini Challenge participants will conquer both the 500 Festival 5K and OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on race morning. Participants who register for the challenge will receive a commemorative shirt and medal as well as shirts and medals for the Mini-Marathon and 5K.
500 Festival 5K
500 Festival 5K participants will hit the streets of downtown Indianapolis prior to the start of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Participants in the 5K will run or walk 3.1 miles and will have the same exciting start line and finish line experience as the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Registration for the 500 Festival 5K starts at $35.
VIP Experience
OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants can upgrade their registration with a VIP Experience. Pricing for the VIP experience is $100 and a limited number of upgrades are available. VIP participants will receive:
- Expedited VIP packet pick upat the Mini-Marathon Expo
- Race day VIP parking
- Private gear checkon race morning
- Exclusive VIP Post Race Party celebration including food, beverages, massages
- Private VIP restrooms
- An Indy Mini VIP half-zip jacket
- Custom VIP bib
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sponsored by OneAmerica, Franciscan Health and Meijer. The Mini-Marathon will be broadcast to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13. To register for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, or to learn more, visit www.indymini.com or search #IndyMini on social media.
About the 500 Festival
Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and foster positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $400 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
SOURCE: News release from 500 Festival