500 Festival and Sailors Team Up to Set the Pace for Indiana’s Largest Timed Running Event

INDIANAPOLIS (December 7, 2017) The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, and crew members from the USS Indiana, SSN 789 have teamed up to set the pace for the 2018 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

Earlier this week, Petty Officer Perez, a crewmember of the USS Indiana, took to the streets of Norfolk, Virginia to run a 13.1-mile course on behalf of his fellow sailors. Petty Officer Perez completed the 13.1 miles in 1:52, making that time the pace to beat. For each 2018 Indy Mini participant who finishes faster than the USS Indiana sailors, the 500 Festival will donate $1 to a charity, voted on by the participants.

The USS Indiana, SSN 789, also known as the Hoosier Boat, is a new submarine currently under construction in Norfolk and is set to be commissioned in 2018. It will soon become the first Navy vessel to carry Indiana’s name since 1947. It is being constructed with parts and machinery from more than 100 Indiana manufacturers from across the state. Hoosier hands are helping build the Hoosier Boat.

“We are proud to have the crew of the USS Indiana serve as our 2018 Pacesetters for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. We hosted sailors from the Hoosier Boat at many of our other events this past May and we’re proud to introduce this group to Indiana’s largest road race and health initiative,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “As we near the USS Indiana’s commissioning in 2018, we’re excited to join our fellow Hoosiers in celebrating this honor that the United States Navy has bestowed upon our state. We hope Hoosiers will join us in celebrating the USS Indiana’s crew for their dedication and service.”

“The sailors of the USS Indiana are proud to serve as the official Pacesetters for the 2018 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon – an event that is so meaningful to our namesake,” said Commander Jesse Zimbauer, Commanding Officer PCU INDIANA (SSN 789). “The people of Indiana have truly embraced our crew during our many visits to the state. Our hope is that we’ve inspired Hoosiers to participate in the 2018 Indy Mini.”

The nation’s second largest half marathon, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the 500 Festival’s largest fundraiser. Race registrations help support the 500 Festival’s free youth programs and events. Now through December 31, the 2018 Mini-Marathon registration fee is $72. Participants can register at IndyMini.com. Pricing after December 31 is as follows:

Jan. 1, 2018 – Feb. 28, 2018:                 $79

March 1, 2018 – May 1, 2018:                 $89

Expo:                                              $100

The course for the Mini-Marathon is flat and fast and appeals to runners and walkers alike. It begins near the intersection of Washington and West Streets in downtown Indianapolis, heads west toward the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and includes a lap around the famed 2.5-mile track before heading back downtown to the finish line at Military Park.

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.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To view photos and video of the 13.1-mile Pacesetter Run, CLICK HERE.

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.

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