INDIANAPOLIS (April 21, 2026) –  A group of former Anderson University cross country runners are bringing a mix of speed, creativity, and a sense of humor to the 50th Running of the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, where they’ll attempt to break a Guinness World Records title for the Fastest Half Marathon in a Five-Person Costume.

The team — Zach Burton, Kaid Hutchinson, Zachary Davenport, Ian Leatherman, and Kaleb Gucinski — will run the race connected together inside a custom caterpillar costume. Their goal is to beat the current record time of 1:48:59.

“We can’t wait to bring some laughs to the best race in Indy,” said Burton.

This is not the team’s first record attempt. Burton, Hutchinson, Davenport, and Leatherman previously set the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Half Marathon in a Four-Person Costume at the Geist Half Marathon in Fishers, Indiana, finishing in 1:29:16 while dressed as a caterpillar. With Gucinski joining the group this year, the team is adding one more segment and pushing their limits once again.

All five runners are in their mid-20s and competed together on the Anderson University cross country team. Their experience running in sync gives them a unique advantage as they take on the challenge of racing as one unit.

The effort is also being documented by Jack Lugar, an independent filmmaker and professor of Cinema and Media Arts at Anderson University, who is capturing the team’s journey from training through race day.

As part of the Mini-Marathon’s milestone year, the attempt reflects the spirit of the 500 Festival’s “Racing Through History” theme by blending tradition with creativity, teamwork, and fun.

The Indy Mini weekend featuring the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K is sponsored by IU Health, Delta Dental, OneAmerica Financial, Meijer, Michelob ULTRA, PNC, and Chevy. The Mini-Marathon broadcast partner in the Indianapolis market is WTHR, Channel 13.