Back for its ninth year, the 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy, features the use of ChampionChip Timing and Scoring on certified courses. The Series is designed to provide participants a low-pressure opportunity to gauge their progression in preparation for the 2009 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. The series gradually increases in distance, coinciding with a typical training program’s schedule

2009 Training Series Dates & Distances

5K:   Saturday, February 7, 2009; 8:30 a.m. (NOTE TIME)     5K Results 2-9-08
10K: Saturday, March 7, 2009; 8 a.m.                                        10K Results 3-1-08
15K: Saturday, April 4, 2009; 8 a.m.                                           15K Results 4-12-08 

Deadlines & Fees

Pre-registration applications must be postmarked one week prior to each event or online registration will end three days prior to each event. On-site registration is available for an additional $2 fee and begins 90 minutes before each event. There will be a discount for those who pre-register for all three 500 Festival Training Series events. (No refunds or transfers.)

Click here to register online

Participants who register for any event will receive free admission to the Indiana State Museum the day of each Training Series by presenting their bib number at the box office.

Seeding

Race packets will not be mailed!  Packets can be picked up on the Friday before the race from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the 500 Festival Building, located at 21 Virginia Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. You can also pick up packets race morning at our Race Headquarters beginning 90 minutes before the start of the race.

Race Headquarters is located at:
Indiana State Museum
650 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Parking is recommended in the White River State Park Garage on Washington Street which provides underground access to the Indiana State Museum.
 
Click here for alternative downtown parking options. 

Parking tips (source: Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.)
Metered parking is FREE after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.

Here are a few downtown parking and traveling tips:

• Arrive early and relax during peak exit times.
• Parking is abundant. There are more than 66,000 parking spaces downtown. Plan where you will park ahead of time.
• Plan your route ahead of time and carpool if possible. Prepare to park away from the event site.

Enter downtown from the side on which you plan to park and park facing the direction you intend to depart. Plan to use a parking garage or lot. Metered parking is limited around special event areas.

Click here for a map of the parking areas!

Highlights of the 500 Festival Training Series:

• Outstanding course support with mile markers, clocks at every mile, split timers, water and Gatorade Pit Areas, and course entertainment.  
• ChampionChip Timing & Scoring
• Delicious post-race refreshments
• Receive free admission to the Indiana State Museum the day of the event by presenting your bib number at the box office. 
• Official results available following the event at www.500festival.com. 
• USATF-sanctioned courses
• All events will begin and end near the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon start line in downtown Indianapolis. Please visit our web site for complete course details.
• Participants do not have to be registered for the Mini-Marathon to participate.

Format
The 2009 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy, will again feature ChampionChip Timing & Scoring. At Packet Pick-Up, you will receive a small, plastic timing chip that adheres to your shoelace. Your time starts when you cross the start line and stops when you cross the finish line. As a result, the chip tabulates your "net time" or the actual time it takes YOU to complete the course.

All chips must be returned after you cross the finish line. Lost chips will cost the participant $30.

DO NOT participate with the ChampionChip in your hand or any place other than you shoe.

Weather Policy
Race officials may cancel, delay or change the event in case of extreme weather or other conditions that may affect the safety and health of the participants. In the event of cancellation, refunds will not be issued. For the latest weather information regarding each event on race day of the event, please tune to WISH TV-8 or listen to 95.5 WFMS, 104.5 WJJK, or WARM 93.9.

Race Regulations
Participants will:

• not be allowed on the course before the official start
• not participate with another person’s number
• not be allowed to wear headphones
• obey all directions by course marshals, police, and safety personnel (streets will not be completely closed)

The 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy, is open to both runners and walkers. A time limit of 18 minutes per mile is required, after which, participants will be required to board the trail vehicle.

Unregistered participants, unauthorized vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates, strollers, baby joggers, and animals are prohibited along the course. All race regulations comply with liability insurance requirements and ensure your safety and the fairness of the event. For your safety and the safety of others, please allow room for faster individuals to pass you. If you are running and walking with friends, please do not lineup more than two abreast. We will be utilizing partial lane closures for during each event. Please stay alert for vehicular traffic.

Links to:

• 500 Festival Training Series 5K Map
• 500 Festival Training Series 10K Map
• 500 Festival Training Series 15K Map
• Volunteer
• Training Merchandise