Third Annual 500 Festival mini-mini Kids Run Draws Thousands to Indianapolis Motor Speedway

August 30, 2018

NOTE: Click HERE for photos from the 2018 500 Festival mini-mini

 

INDIANAPOLIS (August 30, 2018) – The hot weather didn’t keep Indiana’s youngest runners and walkers away from the third annual 500 Festival mini-mini kids run, held on Sunday, August 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hundreds of little runners and walkers were cheered on by massive cheering sections of family members and loved ones as they took over the world’s largest sporting venue and home of the Indianapolis 500. The event had participants from 70+ Indiana cities and towns and 6 different states. The 500 Festival mini-mini is a timed fun run designed specifically for kids, giving Indiana’s youth with an over-the-top experience similar to the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

 

“As the producers of the nation’s premier half marathon, it’s important that we use that platform to get Indiana’s kids excited about running and fitness,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “Seeing the kids’ faces as they cross the finish line and celebrate with their friends and family is a special moment, especially at an iconic finish line like the Yard of Bricks. We hope this experience continues to give young Hoosiers a passion for running that stays with them the rest of their lives.”

 

The mini-mini offered five different races for kids ages 5 - 12, allowing participants to pick the race that best met their age and/or ability. All of the races finished at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s famed Yard of Bricks – which also serves as the finish line for the Indianapolis 500. When they finished their race, mini-mini participants were awarded the coveted mini-mini medal – a replica of the milk bottle medal that finishers received at the 2018 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

 

Top 3 Finishers For Each Race

 

.5 Mile Race for the 5 – 7-year-old age group, Boys

  1. Mateo Anderson, 3:11, Indianapolis
  2. Ostin Wheeler, 3:14, Indianapolis
  3. Henry Dodds, 3:22, Lafayette, IN

 

.5 Mile Race for the 5 – 7-year-old age group, Girls

  1. Maryn Roeder, 3:31, Fortville, IN
  2. Marinda Thompson, 3:50, West Lafayette, IN
  3. Marissa Etter, 3:54, Carmel, IN

 

.5 Mile Race, 7 – 9-year-old age group, Boys  

  1. Carter Scott, 3:05, Anderson, IN
  2. Leo Miller, 3:10, Worthington, IN
  3. Joshua Pope, 3:17, Jamestown, IN

 

.5 Mile Race, 7 – 9-year-old age group, Girls

  1. Raelea Emsweller, 3:17, Brownsburg, IN
  2. Alivia Lozier, 3:29, Westfield, IN
  3. Caroline Blank, 3:33, Whiteland, IN

 

1 Mile Race, 9 – 10-year-olds, Boys  

  1. Lukas Dahlstrom, 6:32, Indianapolis
  2. Elias Merzoug, 6:49, Carmel, IN
  3. Elias Flora, 6:56, Indianapolis

 

1 Mile Race, 9 – 10-year-olds, Girls

  1. Gabriela Grande Rosas, 6:49, Indianapolis
  2. Makaleigh Brann, 6:51, Brownsburg, IN
  3. Sarah Neglia, 7:23, Carmel, IN

 

1 Mile Race, 10 – 11-year-old age group, Boys  

  1. William Gilhooly, 5:30, Carmel, IN
  2. Ryan Finkbeiner, 6:15, Carmel, IN
  3. Jake Gentry, 6:21, Bloomington, IN

 

1 Mile Race, 10 – 11-year-old age group, Girls

  1. Sophia Saucerman, 6:55, Martinsville, IN
  2. Ruth Shriner, 7:09, Noblesville, IN
  3. Katie Campbell, 7:42, Plainfield, IN

 

1.5 Mile Race, 11 – 12-year-old age group, Boys  

  1. Wyatt Ridge, 9:46 (6:30 pace), Indianapolis
  2. Alex Paquette, 10:20 (6:53 pace), Carmel, IN
  3. Evan Farmer, 10:22 (6:55 pace), Indianapolis

 

1.5 Mile Race, 11 – 12-year-old age group, Boys  

  1. Raya Conway, 10:38 (7:05 pace), Pendleton, IN
  2. Emily Comparini, 11:33 (7:42 pace), Zionsville, IN
  3. Mia Lenius, 11:39 (7:46 pace), Indianapolis

 

Each race was started by group of Go Karts driven by youth training to become race car drivers, a kid-sized tribute to the IndyCar that traditionally leads off each wave of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. All courses featured entertainment groups and water stations. Once mini-mini participants crossed the finish line, they were able to toast their finish with chocolate milk and they had their pick of iconic photo opportunities, including a mini-mini wrapped Victory Podium, a mini-mini IndyCar in Victory Circle, the always-popular #IndyMini PR bell, and of course, kiss the bricks.

 

Participants and spectators also enjoyed the mini-mini’s Celebration Zone before and after their race. The Celebration Zone featured fun, free activities for children of all ages from a wide range of exhibitors who believe in the importance of a healthy lifestyle for Indiana’s youth. From dance floors and obstacle courses to fun games, face painting, and inflatables, there was something for everyone at the 500 Festival mini-mini.

 

To learn more about the 500 Festival mini-mini, visit www.indymini.com or search #Indyminimini on social media.

 

The 500 Festival mini-mini is supported by the 500 Festival Foundation and Youth Fitness Cornerstone Partners: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, AON, Crowe LLP, and PNC Bank.

 

About the 500 Festival

Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and fostering 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.

 

Media Contact: Sabrina List, 500 Festival

317.614.6141 ǀ slist@500festival.com