The BibRave 100 #1 Half Marathon – OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

We’re excited to feature our top races from The BibRave 100 – the top races in the U.S.! This week we highlight our #1 Half Marathon!

Race: OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Race Date: 5/4/2019

Registration Information: Save $5 on registration when you use “JoinMe2019” (good through 4/5/19): https://www.500festival.com/running/mini-marathon/

Our BibRave 100 mascot, Benjamin 🦁, asked each race a few questions about their event. Here’s Benjamin’s Fast Four!

1. Tell us a little about your race and the experience a runner can expect.

On the first Saturday of May, 35,000+ runners, joggers, walkers and wheelchair racers will take over the streets of downtown Indianapolis for The Greatest Spectacle in Running – the Indy Mini. This epic race starts in the heart of downtown Indianapolis like only we could – with an IndyCar leading off each wave. The flat, fast course is packed with thousands of the nicest volunteers you’ll ever meet and nearly 100 course entertainment acts. What makes the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon even more special is that the course includes a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (you know, home of the Indy 500). As participants reach the Speedway’s Yard of Bricks, many will stop to kneel and kiss the bricks. Funny tradition? Maybe.

2019 marks the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon’s 43rd running. Within its history, countless stories have emerged around the heart pounding excitement of the Indy Mini. From United States Olympians Frank Shorter and Meb Keflezighi, to the six people that have completed every Mini-Marathon, to families getting healthy together, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is a beloved tradition. JOIN US!

2. What’s new for 2019?

Our Shirts & Medals!

Another new addition to the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the Gold Mile, a segment of the course paying tribute to fallen service members and their surviving families. This inspirational mile will be lined with thousands of feet of patriotic décor, hundreds of American flags and volunteers dressed in gold shirts, greeting participants with pictures, banners, signs and sentimental items of their fallen heroes. The Gold Mile will be located along the backstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a segment known for being the toughest peak of the race. The Gold Mile provides OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants with the opportunity to honor and celebrate the lives of service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice and connect with the surviving family members of the fallen. The tribute will provide inspiration, motivation and support for participants and surviving family members.

Our 2019 Pacesetter: Eva Moses Kor and #TeamEva – The 500 Festival teamed up with Eva Kor to set the pace for the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. In October, Eva Kor and members of #TeamEva hit the streets of Indianapolis to run the 13.1-mile Mini-Marathon course. Their finish time of 2:07.36 is the official time to beat for the 2019 race. For each 2019 Mini-Marathon participant who finishes faster than #TeamEva, the 500 Festival will donate $1 to the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which was founded by Eva Kor and is located in Terre Haute, Ind. More Info: https://www.indymini.com/p/mini-marathon/pacesetter

3. Share some highlights from your city or region. What must-see things should runners plan to do in your race city (i.e. sites, restaurants, etc.)?

Yes, a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a unique feature of our race (the Indy Mini is the only foot race that takes place at IMS), but if you talk to participants, the thing that makes our race truly special is the people and our unique race weekend experience. From fellow participants, to volunteers to spectators, this race SCREAMS Hoosier Hospitality! We pride ourselves on welcoming everyone with open arms!

4. Three words that describe or exemplify your race… GO!

Indy 500, Hospitality, FLAT! 🙂

Visit https://www.500festival.com/running/mini-marathon/ to register or get more info today!