The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of the nation’s largest half-marathons, the 14th largest road race in the United States and the 35th largest in the world! Not only does the Mini rank high in number of participants, but also in quantity of entertainment. With 100 entertainment groups and …
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The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of the nation’s largest half-marathons, the 14th largest road race in the United States and the 35th largest in the world! Not only does the Mini rank high in number of participants, but also in quantity of entertainment. With 100 entertainment groups and spirit squads lining the 13.1-mile course, the Mini-Marathon has arguably the most entertainment of any road race in the world! This quantity is unparalleled in what many have called the largest four-hour music festival anywhere.
The mission of the 500 Festival is to produce life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and foster a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana.
With over 30,000 participants, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is even larger than the famed Boston Marathon. The Mini-Marathon draws more than 20,000 participants from outside greater Indianapolis and has become a valuable driver of tourism and economic impact. By calling nearly 35,000 to be active, the Mini and 5K are one of the state’s largest health initiatives.
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Indy 500 Theme Race
If you love the Indy 500 and crowds, this is a great race. Very well organized and you run the Speedway. For me, too many people and being slow meant … MORE
If you love the Indy 500 and crowds, this is a great race. Very well organized and you run the Speedway. For me, too many people and being slow meant running through the water stop and gel refuse of the 15,000 ahead of me. Other than the Speedway, not scenic. The far back corrals can’t hear or see the front festivities at the start. Overall It is a classic race and definite worth doing. I just prefer smaller more scenic races.
Tons of fun!
This was on my bucket list of half marathons, given that it was one of the bigger ones in the country and drivable. The race organizers and crowds didn't disappoint! … MORE
This was on my bucket list of half marathons, given that it was one of the bigger ones in the country and drivable. The race organizers and crowds didn’t disappoint! There were crowds along the track everywhere you would expect – about the only two places was the first head out of downtown (the first mile wasn’t really conducive for spectating) and in the speedway (which was INCREDIBLE to run in – what an experience!). While I have other bucket list races, I can imagine doing this one again!
Fantastic Race
Race is the kickoff event for the Indy 500 that occurs annually at the end of may. Included was a lap (2.5 miles) around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That lap … MORE
Race is the kickoff event for the Indy 500 that occurs annually at the end of may. Included was a lap (2.5 miles) around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That lap was exciting & emotional. It included a Gold Mile which honors & remembers fallen service members from Indiana. I had a lump in my throat while slowing down to look at each member’s bio picture. It was a very touching way to remember their sacrifices they made to this country & their family.
Great Race!
I loved running the Indy 500 track! Some many entertainment groups along the course. A lot of water/Gatorade stops. I recommend the 16.2 Challenge. MORE
I loved running the Indy 500 track! Some many entertainment groups along the course. A lot of water/Gatorade stops. I recommend the 16.2 Challenge.
Great community support
The expo on Friday had a great panel discussion with living legends of running kicked off by an inspirational speech from a special Olympic athlete who was also a multiple … MORE
The expo on Friday had a great panel discussion with living legends of running kicked off by an inspirational speech from a special Olympic athlete who was also a multiple Boston qualifier. The one hour, early morning event proved worthy of our needing to wake up at 3am in order to drive and get there on time. There are several large hotels near the convention center and race starting corrals so don’t feel it’s imperative to stay at the JW Marriott.
The expo had a good selection of merchandise. There were opportunities for some fun photo opps too like with an Indy car or the special ambassadors. They give out a nice hat too. Apparently the hats are an annual thing. They were not in the bin pickup bag, so look for them as your entering the expo. I had my hat signed by Frank Shorter.
Down the street about three blocks from the convention center we found a Noodles & Company and some other less expensive places to eat near a mall that had a souvenir shop on the third floor.
Race day start was VERY well organized. I was in a preferred corral and my friends were back in O. I think the corrals went from A to Z because they were not overly crowded. When the gun went off you could actually start running on a four lane road without being boxed in. As a matter of fact, I started mid way in corral D and was only 58 seconds different between gun and clock time.
The course is flat and fast with a lot of community support. I think they had entertainment of some kind about every half mile. Bands, dj’s, belly dancers, tap dancers, you name it and they likely had it. Water stops are marker, manned on both sides and stretched really far so that no one has to run into someone to get a drink.
Entering the iconic speedway and running the track was the highlight. The first mile was flanked with memorials to fallen soldiers post 9-11 which was quite moving. After about two miles near the tower you can stop to kiss the bricks embedded in the track. Marathon photo is there taking pics but runners were all friendly and offering to take each other’s pictures too.
The finisher festival is open to non-runners and had a live band, food trucks and more phot opportunities. We all had a great experience and can see why Indymini is one of the most popular races in the nation..
Always a good time
The Mini was my first half in 2012 and I swore I'd never run it again. Living less than an hour from Indy, I gave it a try again in … MORE
The Mini was my first half in 2012 and I swore I’d never run it again. Living less than an hour from Indy, I gave it a try again in 2017.
Pros:
-Huge crowds of runners make for a lot of energy and fun at the start and throughout the race.
-Race staff & Indianapolis really goes all out. From welcome signs in the airport to the expo to volunteers in the lobby’s of most major hotels to direct people
-Always a nice medal
-Running at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Also a can be a con, see below)
-Lots of support on course from spectators and bands; volunteers are GREAT
-Fun partnership with Meb Keflezghi for the past couple of years and again for 2018.
-Fast runners can get an additional medal for being in the top 500
Cons:
-Many parts of the course are not particularly scenic; especially after leaving the track
-The track itself seems so long and monotonous after the initial excitement wears off
-Start and water stops can be CROWDED. The race does a nice job trying to mitigate this issues with crowding, but if you are someone who doesn’t like crowds, this isn’t the race for you.
-I’ve also done the 5K a few times, and while the medals are always nice, the shirts are really hit or miss. They are gender specific though which is nice!
Bottom Line: The Mini kicks off a month long festival leading up to the Indianapolis 500. It can be a lot of fun. It can also be overwhelming.
Kiss the Bricks and Run
This was an amazing experience! I highly recommend the VIP package as the post race massages were great and the tent with private restrooms was worth the extra dough. Entertainment … MORE
This was an amazing experience! I highly recommend the VIP package as the post race massages were great and the tent with private restrooms was worth the extra dough.
Entertainment was great, kissing the bricks was AMAZING, and the atmosphere was one of the best. Highly recommended
Fun race!
This was a well put together race that was a lot of fun to run. Lots of support along the race course. Running the speedway is kind of surreal! Loved … MORE
This was a well put together race that was a lot of fun to run. Lots of support along the race course. Running the speedway is kind of surreal! Loved the swag and a great medal too.
I just don't get the hype...
Being from Indiana, I guess it's against the law or something that if you are a runner you have to do the mini. But that's where it loses me. I've … MORE
Being from Indiana, I guess it’s against the law or something that if you are a runner you have to do the mini. But that’s where it loses me. I’ve done this race twice. The first time I was completely unprepared, so I gave it a second chance…nope still don’t like it.
The cons are that it is a well-oiled machine. Every thing runs VERY smoothly as to the expo, corrals, finish line. The medals are based off IMS and the race and are usually pretty nice…
And that’s where it loses me. The course takes you through some of Indpls’s “hoods” (my 16yo even noticed some of the shady neighborhoods you go through). The part running around the track…BORING, HOT and painful!! Now, don’t think I am just a woman who doesn’t care about the tradition…I was raised going to the 500 with my family and I understand the significance of the race. But unless you are running right next to the grass, the banking kills your knees and hips.
I figured I would give it another shot, but I don’t think I’ll sign up in the future. If you are looking for a race in Indpls/Indiana, I would consider the Monumental to be a better option.
US's Largest Half Marathon for a Reason!
This race is well organized and just plain fun. Yes I kissed the bricks. The half marathon race begins downtown next to the JW Marriott then goes out to the … MORE
This race is well organized and just plain fun. Yes I kissed the bricks. The half marathon race begins downtown next to the JW Marriott then goes out to the Indy 500 track to do one full lap. Then the race runs back downtown by a slightly different route so it’s not strictly an out and back.
If you want more distance, be sure to sign up for both the 5K and Half. They let you start with the elites in the 5K and as long as you can do a 10 minute pace you are back in time to start the half with one of the early corrals.
This year Meb Keflezighi ran with us! He was at the expo and signed autographs well beyond his scheduled time then he ran with us in the race!
Always a fun race
I did the challenge, first the 5k and then the half. It was a great time! The medals are amazing!! The course isn't the greatest, but it gets you to … MORE
I did the challenge, first the 5k and then the half. It was a great time! The medals are amazing!! The course isn’t the greatest, but it gets you to the Indy 500 track, so it’s worth it. This year it rained off and on. The crowd support is fabulous as well. Water / Gatorade stops are good. Other nutrition is lacking a bit, so bring your own if you need any before mile 9.5/10. Well put on event.
Kiss The Bricks!
This is a fast & flat course. It is a great race if you like car racing. Miles 6-8 are on the Speedway. Awesome organization, largest half in the country, MORE
This is a fast & flat course. It is a great race if you like car racing. Miles 6-8 are on the Speedway. Awesome organization, largest half in the country,
One of the best halfs in the country
This year was the first time I had run the race since 2007 (eighth time overall), and the event is even better than it was when I ran it back … MORE
This year was the first time I had run the race since 2007 (eighth time overall), and the event is even better than it was when I ran it back then. Very, very well organized — the expo is very easy to navigate and race day logistics are almost flawless. The course is flat and very, very fast. Overall it’s one of the best half marathons in the US and should be on a lot of bucket lists.
A music festival in PR City
Although the standout feature of this race in all its marketing materials is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it only amounts to about 2 miles of the course. The remaining 11 … MORE
Although the standout feature of this race in all its marketing materials is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it only amounts to about 2 miles of the course. The remaining 11 miles is filled with all kinds of musical acts from the Indianapolis area, from dancing septuagenarians to cloggers and heavy metal bands. It’s almost like the organizers realized how ugly some parts of Indianapolis can be, so they chose to fill it with as much entertainment as possible. That said, it’s such a fun event. Plus, it’s the flattest possible race I’ve ever run, and its early May start time is very conducive to PRs. Lastly, if you’re among the top 500 finishers, you will earn a special “500 Club” commemorative medal for your speedy efforts. In order to do that though, you have to run around a 1:30, and its gender neutral, so those who earn it are disproportionately men.