Remote OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Includes
Six Countries and 363 Participants
Troops Stationed in Kosovo Experience Indy Mini
INDIANAPOLIS (May 2, 2017) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the legacy of the Indianapolis 500, delivered a remote version of the 2017 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K to overseas troops stationed at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo on April 28 and 29. Six different countries were represented consisting of 363 participants. Hosted by our deployed Indiana National Guard, and other U.S. Armed Forces personnel, the individuals stationed at Camp Bondsteel received a unique Indy Mini experience that felt like home.
“This is the type of event our organization is built on,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “Everything we do can be traced to a Memorial Day celebration, recognizing those who have served and protected us. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for these traditions and those who protect them. It was a humbling moment for us, our staff and our Board of Directors to deliver a piece of Indiana tradition to our troops overseas.”
Results from the 2017 Remote Mini-Marathon and 5K are listed below:
Finish Line 500 Festival 5K Forward
187 participants
56 degrees, cloudy
Four Countries (USA, Turkey, Croatia, Poland)
Men
- LT. Tomasz Zazeviski, Polish Defense Force (19:58)
- Sgt. Sinon Topcu, Turkish CoY (20:06)
- Capt. Chris Cooper, US Army (20:11)
Women
- Nadia Caballero, US Army
- Erin Keilly, US Army
- Anna Schultz, US Army
OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Forward
176 participants
45 degrees, rain
Six Countries (USA, Turkey, Poland, Switzerland, Croatia, England)
Men
- George Foster, British Army (1:20:20)
- Gabe Wentlandt, US Army (1:24:17)
- Pawel Pochodaj, Polish CoY (1:35:14)
Women
- Erin Schneider, US Army (1:56:48)
- Katarzyna Kzimek, Polish CoY (1:58:12)
- Petra Kung, Swiss Army (2:03:56)
Longtime Indy Mini public address announcer Rob Powers traveled to Kosovo to manage the event as a representative of his nonprofit organization, American 300, and the 500 Festival. Joining him was Aasif Bade, a 500 Festival Board Member and President, Ambrose Property Group and Vietnam wounded warrior Charlie Manis, a decorated member of Indiana’s famed D Company, 151st Rangers, Indiana Army National Guard.
Troops in Kosovo received the full OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon experience, from medals and shirts to a challenging 13.1-mile race. They also heard the same voice that launches the Mini-Marathon back in Indy this coming weekend.
The 2017 remote Mini-Marathon was the first since 2013 when the 500 Festival hosted a similar event. Prior to 2013, the last time Troops had run a remote Mini-Marathon was with Powers in Kuwait in 2009.
The 500 Festival has compiled a season-long campaign of encouraging our Indiana military personnel throughout running events. Staff, volunteers and participants of the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, signed a “Thank You” banner that was delivered to Kosovo and displayed at the race to support and encourage troops. Video from the remote Mini-Marathon will, in turn, be used to encourage Indy Mini participants next weekend.
EDITOR’S NOTE: To download photos from the Remote OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, click HERE.
About American 300
Founded in 2006, American300 is a 501c3 not-for-profit that supports our Department of Defense with subject matter experts on the topic of resiliency. To date American300 has conducted well over 500 worldwide base visits with mentors ranging from Wounded Warriors and Olympians to Professional Athletes and Astronauts. The primary goal being to connect remotely deployed Service Members with mentors who bring a unique perspective on the general theme of never quitting while striving to be the best in service to our country, their families and communities they live and operate in.
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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