2016 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K Help Contribute More Than $88,000 to Charities
INDIANAPOLIS (October 12, 2016) The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs celebrating the legacy of the Indianapolis 500, today announced that the 2016 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon helped contribute $88,850 to various nonprofit organizations through its Mini with a Meaning Program.
“As one of the nation’s largest half-marathons, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon helps fuel the 500 Festival’s free programs and events for Indiana youth as well as the efforts of many nonprofit organizations that share our commitment to enrich lives and foster positive impact for our community and state,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO, 500 Festival. “We’re proud of what the Mini with a Meaning Program has accomplished after just two years. We’re even more proud of the work that these deserving nonprofits do within our community. We’re looking forward to a successful 2017 race and we invite other charities to join us for the 41st running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.”
Launched in 2015, the Mini with a Meaning Program provides non-profit organizations with a unique opportunity to raise funds and awareness. Participating charities recruit team members to participate in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and/or Finish Line 500 Festival 5K on their behalf, committing to raise money for the organization. In 2016, nine different nonprofit organizations participated in the Mini with a Meaning Program, including:
- Alzheimer’s Association
- American Brain Tumor Association
- Back on My Feet
- Jonnie’s Goodguys
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- Make-A-Wish
- MDA
- National Stroke Association
- Riley Children’s Foundation
In addition, nonprofit organizations participating in the 2016 Mini with a Meaning Program had the opportunity to raise money through the 500 Festival’s Pacesetter Challenge. The Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders served as the official Pacesetters for the 2016 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Last September, the team ran the 13.1 mile Mini-Marathon course in 2:07, making that the time to beat. For each 2016 Mini-Marathon participant who finished faster than the Colts Cheerleaders, the 500 Festival donated $1 to Mini with a Meaning charities, voted on by the participants. Through the 2016 Pacesetter Program, the 500 Festival donated $11,669 to four nonprofit organizations. The organizations selected by 2016 Mini-Marathon participants included: Back on My Feet, Jonnie’s Goodguys, Make-A-Wish and National Stroke Association.
“We’ve truly enjoyed being part of the Mini with a Meaning Program for the past two years. Our team of FundRacers had a rewarding experience participating in the 2016 race and we were thrilled when the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants selected Back on My Feet Indianapolis to receive an additional donation through the 2016 Pacesetter Program,” said Chrissy Vasquez, executive director, Back on My Feet Indianapolis. “Funds from the Pacesetter Program’s contribution will enable our organization to purchase winter gear (long sleeve t-shirt, pants and jacket) for 66 members to wear when the weather turns cool. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve in 2017!”
All OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K registrations help support the 500 Festival’s free educational and youth fitness programming and events. By participating in Mini with a Meaning, runners and walkers have the ability to make an impact in multiple ways within the Indianapolis community. The 500 Festival is committed to partnering with nonprofit organizations within the community. The 500 Festival provides the following benefits to nonprofit organizations participating in Mini with a Meaning:
- Discounted entries on OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, Finish Line 500 Festival 5K, 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy
- Registration rewards based upon group size
- Complimentary group packet pickup
- Organization featured on 500 Festival website
- Dedicated social media posts
Nonprofit organizations interested in participating in the 2017 Mini with A Meaning Program should visit IndyMini.com or email bpawelak@500festival.com.
The course for the Mini-Marathon is flat and fast and appeals to runners and walkers alike. It begins near the intersection of Washington and West Streets in downtown Indianapolis, heads west toward the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and includes a lap around the famed 2.5 mile track before heading back downtown to the finish line at Military Park.
Registration for the 2017 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is now open. The 41st running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon will take place on Saturday, May 6. One of the nation’s premiere half-marathons, the Indy Mini is the 500 Festival’s largest fundraiser. Race registrations help support the 500 Festival’s free youth programs and events. Pricing for the 2017 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is as follows:
- September 15 - October 15, 2016: $65
- October 16, 2016 - February 15, 2017: $75
- February 16 - May 1, 2017: $85
- Expo (May 4 & 5, 2017): $95
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sponsored by OneAmerica, Finish Line, Franciscan St. Francis Health and Meijer. The Mini-Marathon will be broadcast to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13. To learn more about the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, visit www.indymini.com or search #IndyMini 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.
###