In 1977, none of them imagined this.

Al was 23, celebrating his birthday on race day with soreness and blisters. Jerry was 25, and had never run more than a mile, buying his first pair of running shoes the night before the race because of a dare from friends. Mike was 26, motivated to run through the City Council district he represented. Gene was 38, cautiously stepping to the starting line on a hot late morning, unsure how it would go.

Nearly five decades later, Al, Jerry, Gene, and Mike are still stepping up to the start line. They’re part of a small group, the “Indy Mini Alumni Club” who have lined up at the start of the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon every single year since that first Running in 1977.

Over the years, the Mini-Marathon has become far more than a race. For runners like Al, Jerry, Gene, and Mike, it represents discipline, resilience, family, and tradition woven into 13.1 miles

But in the beginning, their motivations were simple.

A dare. A fitness goal. A lifelong love of running. A desire to be part of something meaningful in their city. None of them expected to run every single race. Several admit they did not think about longevity until they had already completed the course 20 or 25 times.

Now, what keeps them coming back runs deeper: the challenge of the course and being one year older with each race, the energy of race day and the Hoosier spirit, the health benefits of staying active, and the sense of accomplishment that’s waiting for them at the finish line. Mike still loves the distance, even as it grows more difficult with age. Al returns for the health benefits and the support of family and friends. Jerry says being one of the few remaining original runners means everything to him. For Gene, finishing each year is an expression of discipline and tenacity.

Over time, the tradition has extended beyond the runners themselves. Jerry has run with his children. Al estimates a dozen relatives may participate this year for the 50th. Gene’s wife, sons, and granddaughter have taken on the race. Mike constantly encourages first timers to run with friends to enhance their experience.

With nearly 50 races behind them, certain moments stand out. Jerry remembers finishing his first Mini-Marathon without walking and the pride that followed. Gene will never forget completing the race just months after breaking his femur, walking portions of the course while family and former students pushed him through cold rain. That year, he said, he realized the Mini-Marathon is not about winning. It is about accepting your condition and pushing forward anyway.

Over time, they have adjusted. Some now use run walk intervals. Some primarily walk. Injuries and surgeries have tested them. But But one thing has never changed: the commitment to show up at the starting line each May.

Their advice for this year’s runners is simple: train well, hydrate early, avoid starting too fast, and take time to enjoy the community around you.

As they approach the 50th Running of the Mini-Marathon, the idea of being a part of the Alumni Club still feels surreal. Al calls it an unbelievable achievement. Jerry says he feels blessed. Gene sees it as recognition of consistency more than speed. Mike views it as a testament to resilience. They did not set out to make history (but they did!). They simply kept running.

50 years later, they remind us that the spirit of May and the Mini-Marathon is not about how fast you go —It’s about how long you’re willing to stay in the race.