INDIANAPOLIS (June 22, 2016) The producers of one of the world’s largest half marathons, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, have set their sights on producing a similar sized event for youth. The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and celebrating the legacy of the Indianapolis 500, today announced it will host the first and only youth run to take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 500 Festival mini-mini. The 500 Festival mini-mini is a fun run designed specifically for kids, providing Indiana’s youth with an “Indy Mini” experience that’s sized just for them. The inaugural 500 Festival mini-mini will take place on Saturday, September 10, 2016 and is open to children ages 5 – 12.
Kids participating in the mini-mini will experience the larger-than-life fun of a 500 Festival running event – complete with course entertainment, cheering sections, and the coveted mini-mini medal. Five different race distances will be offered, ranging from half a mile to 2.5 miles, allowing participants to select the race that best meets their age and ability. All participants will start and finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s famed Yard of Bricks.
“The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has become an iconic event around the world, known for its energy, high quality of production, and the famed lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We wanted to provide a fun opportunity for Indiana’s youth to have a similar, electrifying experience that’s sized just for them. The mini-mini will do just that,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO, 500 Festival. “There’s no question that the mini-mini will be Indiana’s most exciting youth run, we’re hopeful that it will have a much deeper impact within our state - getting Indiana’s youth moving at an early age and sparking an interest in running among Indiana youth and their families.”
Packet pickup for all 500 Festival mini-mini participants will take place on race day at the Plaza Pavilion at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. mini-mini participants will receive a goodie bag, a runners bib with a timing device and a participant shirt. At the conclusion of their race, youth will receive a finisher's medal and the opportunity to go through runner’s services – just like Indy Mini participants.
Participants and spectators can enjoy the mini-mini’s Celebration Zone before and after their race. The Celebration Zone will feature food; fun, interactive activities for children of all ages; and a wide range of exhibitors who believe in the importance of a healthy lifestyle for Indiana’s youth.
“The 500 Festival mini-mini is timed to coincide with the start of the new school year. Our hope is that this event will kick start a healthy school year for Indiana’s youth,” said Kim Gale, the 500 Festival’s director of marketing and sponsorship for running programs and events. “Indiana is home to one of the nation’s largest half marathons – we want the state to become known as the state that runs. We hope this new event will serve as a springboard for our youth to lead the way, setting their sights on training for additional running events, such as the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon or the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K.”
Now through Tuesday, September 6, the registration fee for the inaugural 500 Festival mini-mini is $15. The cost to register on the day of the event is $20. Both fees include a participant t-shirt and finisher’s medal. To register, please visit: http://www.indymini.com/p/kidsrunning/minimini.
WHAT: 500 Festival mini-mini
WHO: Indiana youth, ages 5 – 12
WHEN: Saturday, September 10, 2016
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm: mini-mini packet pickup and race day registration opens
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm: mini-mini Celebration Zone Open
4:00 pm: 0.5 Mile Race
4:30 pm: 1 Mile Race
5:00 pm: 1.5 Mile Race
5:30 pm: 2 Mile Race
6:00 pm: 2.5 Mile Race
WHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The 500 Festival mini-mini is supported by the 500 Festival Foundation and Cornerstone Partners: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, AON, and the Lids Foundation. To learn more about the 500 Festival mini-mini, visit www.indymini.com/p/kidsrunning/minimini or search #Indyminimini on social media.
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, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.
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Media Contact:
Sabrina List
317.614-6141
slist@500festival.com