INDIANAPOLIS (October 25, 2018) The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, is teaming up with Eva Kor to set the pace for the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Yesterday, 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. In addition to generating excitement for the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the Pacesetter event kicks off the celebration leading up to the TV world premiere of “Eva”, a documentary about Ms. Kor’s extraordinary life. “Eva” premieres on TV on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 8:00 pm ET on WFYI.
On Wednesday, Oct. 24, the #TeamEva relay started in downtown Indianapolis and was led off by Mika Brown, co-producer of “Eva.” The relay headed west to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where they completed a lap around the famed 2.5 mile oval before returning back downtown to finish at Military Park. Standing just 4 Feet 9 inches tall and 84-years-old, Eva Kor was the anchor of the #TeamEva relay, crossing the finish line alongside Ted Green, co-producer of “Eva.” The team’s final time was 2:09.36.
“This is a great honor for me and for everyone who needs healing after suffering through life’s tragedies,” said Kor. “I admire anyone who can complete the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. It takes determination and hope, just like getting through difficult times. This gift will help me share my message all over the world for as long as possible.”
As the official Pacesetter for the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, #TeamEva’s finish time of 2:07.36 is the official pace to beat for next year’s 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. The community is invited to congratulate the team and challenge others to beat the time in 2019 on social media using #TeamEva.
"Eva Mozes Kor is an inspiration and she’s become a treasured member of the 500 Festival family. From serving as the Grand Marshal of the IPL 500 Festival Parade to serving as the official Pacesetter for the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, we’ve learned that there’s nothing she can’t do,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “When we extended the Pacesetter challenge to Eva, she responded with the same enthusiasm and commitment that thousands of #IndyMini participants demonstrate every year. We hope that Eva’s story will inspire our community to accept the challenge and join us for the 2019 Mini-Marathon. If you’re looking for inspiration, make sure you watch her documentary to learn more about her story!”
Eva Mozes Kor is a survivor of the Holocaust and forgiveness advocate. At the age of 10 she was imprisoned at Auschwitz and separated from most of her family. She and her twin sister were subjected to unthinkable medical experiments by the Nazis and fought daily for their own survival until the camp was eventually liberated. Remarkably, after her internment at Auschwitz, Eva publicly forgave the Nazis. Eva works tirelessly, dedicating her life to giving testimony on the Holocaust, providing a message of hope for people who have suffered, and working toward goals of forgiveness, peace, and the elimination of hatred and prejudice in the world.
Kor's experiences in Auschwitz, coupled with her never-give-up attitude, led her to a life of advocacy work, teaching remembrance, understanding, and hope. To honor her extraordinary work, Eva Kor was awarded with the Sachem Award, Indiana’s highest honor, in 2017. She was also named Grand Marshal of the 61st IPL 500 Festival Parade in May 2017. Within the 500 Festival’s 60+ year history, Eva Kor is the only person to serve as Pacesetter for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Grand Marshal of the IPL 500 Festival Parade.
"Eva" was produced by WFYI Public Media in collaboration with Ted Green Films and Mika Brown. It offers incredible details about Kor’s journey from Romanian Jewish farm girl to Nazi death camp survivor to leading global force on the power of healing through forgiveness. Her captivating story doesn’t come without controversy, particularly her decision to publicly forgive Mengele, Hitler and all Nazis, and it’s all part of “Eva,” masterfully written and produced by award-winning local filmmaker Ted Green. To view a trailer of the movie or to learn more about Eva Kor, please visit TheStoryofEva.com.
Named one of “America’s Most Iconic Races” by Runners World, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of the nation’s largest half marathons (for 20+ years) and annually attracts participants from all 50 states and 15+ countries around the world. Known as The Greatest Spectacle in Running, the race starts and finishes in downtown Indianapolis and includes a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500. The flat, fast course is packed with thousands of the nicest volunteers you’ll ever meet, 16 course aid stations and nearly 100 course entertainment acts. Set for Saturday, May 4, the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon will mark the race’s 43rd running.
Now through Oct. 31, participants can lock in the race’s lowest rate of $65 at IndyMini.com/register. Prices will increase starting Nov. 1.
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the 500 Festival’s largest fundraiser. Race registrations help support the 500 Festival’s free youth programs and events. By getting 35,000 people moving, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and 500 Festival 5K have become the Indiana’s largest health initiatives, helping Hoosiers get focused on their health and well-being.
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sponsored by OneAmerica, Franciscan Health and Meijer. The Mini-Marathon will be broadcast to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13. To register for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, or to learn more, 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 life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and foster 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 or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
###