The 37th running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon takes place on May 4. The Mini has sold-out for the past 12 years with 35,000 registrants, and an additional 4,000 participants in the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. The Mini-Marathon is the largest half-marathon in the U.S., and overall, the seventh largest running event in America. Each finisher will receive a commemorative medal and technical shirt, a participant hat provided by OneAmerica, complimentary qualification or practice day ticket from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and post-race refreshments and entertainment.
Enhanced safety policies for the 2013 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
The 500 Festival, in partnership with the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety, local, state, and federal agencies, will be taking additional security and safety precautions at this year’s OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K on May 4. These additional security precautions may or may not be visible to event attendees. These enhanced security measures will be implemented to create the safest environment possible for the public, volunteers and participants of 500 Festival events.
In order to maximize the safety of the public during the Mini-Marathon and 5K we need your support. Please review the following security-related items:
- Participants are asked not to bring or wear backpacks or duffle bags to the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Please be aware that all bags and backpacks will be subject to search by security personnel.
- Backpacks or duffle bags will not be accepted at the UPS Gear Check stations. Only the white Finish Line goodie bag which will be distributed to participants at packet pickup will be accepted at the UPS Gear Check stations.
- Additional security measures have been added to the Mini-Marathon course. At the event start line on Washington Street, only participants with a runners’ bib will be allowed to enter the corrals. Per the usual, participants will be allowed to drop back in a corral to join a friend or family member but will not be allowed to move up corrals.
- Participants will only be allowed to enter the corrals in which they are assigned; Corral assignments are clearly posted on the front of each runner’s bib.
- Do not leave bags, backpacks or items left unattended. Any bags or items left unattended will be removed by security personnel.
Event attendees are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or information to the nearest event security personnel by calling the See Something Say Something tip line at 1-877-226-1026.
New this year at the Mini-Marathon
- The 500 Festival has added a Clif Shot Energy Zone to the course just as participants turn on 10th Street from Holt Road. The following flavors will be available: Chocolate, Razz, Vanilla and Citrus
- We have partnered with MarathonFoto as our official race photographer. Instead of waiting 4-5 days for photos to be available, participants will be able to view and purchase immediately following the race.
- A QR code has been added to each runner’s bib. Participants can scan this code with a smart phone to receive their Official Race Results.
- We have partnered with UPS for the first year for the Gear/Clothing Check Area. Please see above for enhanced safety policies regarding Gear Check.
Other items of note
- For the third year, the Mini-Marathon offers free runner tracking to allow family and friends to electronically track participants along the course by providing real-time updates via email, text messages, Facebook status updates and/or tweets. Runner tracking registration is open now through May 3 at 9 p.m. Visit 500festival.com/mini-marathon/participant-information/runner-tracking to register.
- Registration for the 2014 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K on May 3, 2014 will be available at the Mini-Marathon Expo, starting on May 2, 2013.
- Earlier this year, the 500 Festival hosted a Post Race Party Entertainment contest online that encouraged participants and the general public to nominate and vote for their favorite local band to play on stage at the Post Race Party. The winners are as follows: Whitney Erin & Buffalo Creek (7 – 10:30 a.m., Verizon stage), followed by Zanna-Doo! (10:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Verizon stage) and ‘Nuff Said (7 a.m. -12 p.m., Family Reunion Area).
- The 500 Festival has partnered with 39 Downtown restaurants to welcome Mini-Marathon and 5K participants. Some restaurants will offer carb-loaded menus the night before the race.
- The last mile of the 13.1 mile race, Victory Mile, will be adorned with 100 10-foot black and white checkered flags, complete with music provided by WFMS and recorded famous finishes from past Indianapolis 500 races over the loud speaker.
Weekend schedule
May 2 and 3
- 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo, Indiana Convention Center (Halls A & B), 100 S. Capitol Ave. 4-8 p.m. This event is free and is open to the public.
May 4
- 5K participants in corrals, 6:45 a.m.
- Mini-Marathon participants in corrals, 7 a.m.
- 5K Start, Washington Street and West Street, 7 a.m.
- Mini-Marathon Wheelchair Start, Washington Street and West Street, 7:30 a.m.
- Mini-Marathon Start, Washington Street and West Street, 7:33 a.m.
- 500 Festival Post Race Party, Military Park, New York Street/West Street (Celebration includes entertainment and food) 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. This event is free and is open to the public.
