recreate the rookie run experience at home 👟

The Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run is an exciting experience for kids. While we can’t be together to watch all the rookie runners participate during the month of May, you can bring the race experience to your own backyard, a neighborhood sidewalk or a trail! We’ve got tons of resources for rookie participants, including customizable race bibs and Rookie Run Finisher Certificates.

ROOKIE RUN BIB

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ROOKIE RUN CERTIFICATE

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Join Us For Virtual #500KidsDay Activities 🤸

Bring the excitement and learning of Kids’ Day and Rookie Run home with you while we can’t be together during this time! The virtual #500KidsDay activities are here and full of hands-on activities for kids, including 500 Festival Princess Program lead sash and tiara making, entertaining exercise videos, craft-making follow along videos, and so much more! We’ll be adding new activities and videos regularly, so keep checking back!

VIRTUAL #500KIDSDAY ACTIVITIES

Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run

All kids, ages 3-10, are invited to join us for the Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run, a non-competitive fun run where everyone goes away a winner! The Rookie Run, which is managed by the same group that produces the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, is a great way to introduce kids to the basics of running and enjoy the excitement of a race - including the start and finish line production, a massive cheering section, a trip through runner's service and the occasional celebrity sighting!

The Smallest Runners Have The Biggest Hearts

The Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Rookie Run takes place in downtown Indianapolis, one block north of Monument Circle at Ohio and Meridian streets. Race distances are set based upon a child’s age and races will be run in a series of heats to ensure a safe race experience. All participants will receive a goodie bag, a participant bib and a finisher's medal - just like the Indy Mini participants!

2021 Event Details

Date: Saturday, May 15, 2021
Anticipated Time: 12:30 - 3:30 pm
Location: Downtown Indianapolis
#500RookieRun

Race details are subject to change. 2021 event details, including registration, schedules and shirt & medal designs, will be announced in the winter of 2021. Interested in the 2021 Rookie Run, scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2021? Fill out this form and we'll notify you when registration becomes available.

Rookie Run Participant age & course length

Age 3: 2-block course - 12:30 pm*Age 4: 2-block course - 1:00 pm*
Age 5-6: 1/5-mile course - 1:30 pm*
Ages 7-8: 1/3-mile course - 2:00 pm*

Ages 9-10: 1/3-mile course - 2:30 pm*

*Times are approximate, subject to change.

Join us for a free day of play at Kids' Day!

The Rookie Run is part of the Salesforce & JPMorgan Chase 500 Festival Kids' Day, the Indiana's largest outdoor festival for kids. Kids' Day is an Indy 500 celebration that’s sized for kids. With interactive, educational displays in a carnival-like atmosphere, Kids’ Day gives children the opportunity to stretch their minds and their muscles.

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