INDIANAPOLIS (August 8, 2011) – The 500 Festival announced today the official dates for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, Finish Line 500 Festival 5K and 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy.

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

The 36th running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2012.  The Mini has sold-out for the past 10 years with 35,000 registrants and is the nation’s largest half marathon.  An Early Bird registration rate of $55 is offered through Nov. 30, 2011. Starting Dec. 1, 2011, the rate reverts back to the original rate of $75.

Finish Line 500 Festival 5K

The 2012 Finish Line 500 Festival 5K will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2012, before the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, and uses the same start line and finish line as the Mini. The Finish Line 500 Festival 5K will carry a strict 56-minute time limit for completion. The maximum field for the 5K is 4,000 participants.  Registration for the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K is $30 through Nov. 30, 2011. Starting Dec. 1, 2011, the rate reverts back to the original rate of $35.

500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy

Back for its 12th year, the 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy, features the use of the ChronoTrack Bib Timing System on certified courses. The Series is designed to provide participants a low-pressure opportunity to gauge their progression in preparation for the 2012 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. The series gradually increases in distance, coinciding with a typical training program’s schedule. Pre-registration applications must be postmarked one week prior to each event or online registration will end eight days prior to each event. On-site registration is available for an additional $4 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. All Training Series events start and finish at the NCAA Hall of Champions in downtown Indianapolis’ White River State Park.

Registration for all of these events is available by clicking here.  

The mission of the 500 Festival is to advocate and celebrate the spirit, heritage and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®. Through social, cultural and educational events and programs, the 500 Festival enhances the quality of life for all citizens of our communities.

The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 55 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.

Last year, over 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in nearly 50 events and programs throughout the month of May. Whether they were athletes running the Mini, fourth grade students participating in the Education Program, families enjoying the state’s largest festival for kids or spectators being dazzled by one of the nation’s premier parades, they were there, celebrating the legacy.

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