Nation’s Premier Half Marathon Slated for May 5, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS (September 18, 2017) The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announced that registration has opened for the 2018 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Set for Saturday, May 5, the 2018 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon will mark the race’s 42nd running.

The nation’s premier 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 October 31, the Mini-Marathon registration fee is just $65. Pricing after October 31 is as follows:

Nov. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017:                $72

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

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

Expo:                                                    $100

“As one of the largest half marathons in the world, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has continued to cement its reputation as Indiana’s largest and greatest road race, and the Greatest Spectacle in Running,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. ”13.1 miles, endless course entertainment and cheering sections, and a lap around the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway make the Indy Mini the perfect experience for locals, out-of-town Hoosiers, and visitors. With a flat and fast course, and an 18 minute / mile time limit, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is popular with runners and walkers alike.”

“The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of this city’s great May traditions,” said J. Scott Davison, president, chairman and CEO of OneAmerica. “Hundreds of OneAmerica associates volunteer each year for this race and other 500 Festival activities, because we’re proud to participate in events that shape our hometown and contribute to our community’s success.”

New in 2018 is the addition of The Greatest Spectacle Challenge. In 2017, participants combined the Indy Mini with its training series, the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, or the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K to complete the challenges and receive additional gear and medals. In 2018, the 500 Festival gives participants the opportunity to complete all three events for even more shirts and hardware.

The Greatest Spectacle Challenge (35.2 Miles)

Participants of The Greatest Spectacle Challenge will tackle all of the 500 Festival running events during the spring season, including the Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K, and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on race morning. Participants who register for the challenge will receive a commemorative shirt and medal as well as shirts and medals for the Miler Series, 5K, and Mini-Marathon! A total of FOUR medals and shirts!

Mini Maniac Challenge (32.1 Miles)

Mini Maniac Challenge participants will take on all 32.1 miles of the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy in February, March, and April, and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in May. Mini Maniac participants will receive a commemorative shirt and medal in addition to the shirts and medals for the Miler Series and Mini-Marathon!

Mega Mini Challenge (16.2 Miles)

Mega Mini Challenge participants will conquer both the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K and OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on race morning. Participants who register for the challenge will receive a commemorative shirt and medal as well as shirts and medals for the Mini-Marathon and 5K.

500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy

Participants in the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, will take on downtown Indianapolis in courses marked by three unique distances; a 3-Miler, 6-Miler, and 10-Miler. Scheduled for February 10, March 10, and April 7 in downtown Indianapolis, the Miler Series races coincide with a 12-week half marathon training program for Mini-Marathon participants or anyone preparing for a spring distance run. Join the local Indy Mini fanatics and run all spring with the #IndyMilers, starting at $55 for all three races.

Finish Line 500 Festival 5K

Finish Line 500 Festival 5K participants will hit the streets of downtown Indianapolis prior to the start of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Participants in the 5K will run or walk 3.1 miles and will have the same exciting start line and finish line experience as the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Registration for the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K starts at $35.

VIP Experience

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants can upgrade their registration with a VIP Experience. Pricing for the VIP experience is $100 and a limited number of upgrades are available, while supplies last. VIP participants will receive:

• Expedited VIP packet pick upat the Mini-Marathon Expo
• Race day VIP parking
• Private gear checkon race morning
• Exclusive VIP Post Race Party celebration including food, beverages, massages
• Private VIP restrooms
• An Indy Mini VIP half-zip jacket
• Custom VIP bib

500 Festival Merchandise Store

The 500 Festival has introduced a new and improved merchandise store at store.indymini.com for 2018 running events. With even more apparel and better gear for both cold and warm weather activities, the merchandise store is a must-visit before the 2018 season.

Official Hotel Room Block

Participants can book their hotel through the official Indy Mini room block and lock in the best available rate on Mini-Marathon weekend. Whether coming from out-of-town or simply staying near the start line to avoid parking and traffic, booking through the official room block makes the race weekend experience even more enjoyable.

2018 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Race Weekend Events

Thursday, May 3

500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo

Indiana Convention Center, Halls D & E

4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, May 4

500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo

Indiana Convention Center, Halls D & E

10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5

Finish Line 500 Festival 5K

Downtown Indianapolis

7:00 a.m.

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

Downtown Indianapolis

7:30 a.m.

500 Festival Post Race Party

Military Park

7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

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, Finish Line, 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.

 

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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