This was a fun race! The best part is running around the Indianapolis Speedway. Not much to see on your way there but it’s a nice buildup to the track … MORE
This was a fun race! The best part is running around the Indianapolis Speedway. Not much to see on your way there but it’s a nice buildup to the track and then a nice run back to the finish. Just have to make time to stop and kiss the bricks!
It’s a fairly flat course and generally an easy run. I ran this 3 weeks post Covid and found it to be fairly doable, if that says anything for the difficulty?
The swag is great and the attendance is definitely great. We got lucky and got a hotel right at the starting line. It’s a later start, so being able to walk right out the door and not run until 7:50am? Least stressful race start ever!
Please login to reply to this review.
Kissing the bricks!
This was a fun race! The best part is running around the Indianapolis Speedway. Not much to see on your way there but it’s a nice buildup to the track … MORE
This was a fun race! The best part is running around the Indianapolis Speedway. Not much to see on your way there but it’s a nice buildup to the track and then a nice run back to the finish. Just have to make time to stop and kiss the bricks!
It’s a fairly flat course and generally an easy run. I ran this 3 weeks post Covid and found it to be fairly doable, if that says anything for the difficulty?
The swag is great and the attendance is definitely great. We got lucky and got a hotel right at the starting line. It’s a later start, so being able to walk right out the door and not run until 7:50am? Least stressful race start ever!
Flat and Fast!
If you're looking for a PR, this is the course for you! I loved this race and would definitely do it again. The expo was medium sized and packet pickup … MORE
If you’re looking for a PR, this is the course for you! I loved this race and would definitely do it again.
The expo was medium sized and packet pickup went smooth. Race location is very convenient to downtown hotels. The start was literally right in front of the Courtyard Mariott. They had start waves which went very well. The scenery was nothing special, but there were lots of bands along the course which was great! It was awesome being able to run on the speedway too. This was the flattest course I have run on. Highly recommended!
Ran a lap on the Indy 500 track!
Great race in downtown Indianapolis. Start downtown, run to and around the Indy 500, and then back to downtown. Make sure you stop and kiss the bricks at the Indy … MORE
Great race in downtown Indianapolis. Start downtown, run to and around the Indy 500, and then back to downtown. Make sure you stop and kiss the bricks at the Indy 500 finish line. Lots of great support. Great race to complete Indiana for those doing different states.
Still my favorite
I've ran this 7 time now and still one of my favorites. if you're an Indy 500 fan you get to run a lap at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. … MORE
I’ve ran this 7 time now and still one of my favorites. if you’re an Indy 500 fan you get to run a lap at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Expo was a little smaller this year (probably because of covid) but was still a decent size. Swag and after party is always great as well. must do if you need Indiana
A Bucket List Race for Sure
This is an all time favorite race of mine with having run it 15 years in a row. Talk about value for your money, enter now and you just pay … MORE
This is an all time favorite race of mine with having run it 15 years in a row. Talk about value for your money, enter now and you just pay $68 for the race. How many times in your life do you get to run on the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. If there is the next Half Marathon you are looking to run, go to Indy on the 1st weekend of May and run the Indy Mini!
Great First Half Marathon!
I'm an Indy native, but this was my first mini ever! We saw an ELEPHANT looking at us when we went past the zoo. So cool! It was awesome running … MORE
I’m an Indy native, but this was my first mini ever! We saw an ELEPHANT looking at us when we went past the zoo. So cool! It was awesome running on the actual 500 Speedway. Packet pickup was no line at all but we went right when it opened. Not hilly at all. Good ol’ flat Indiana for ya! I’ll never forget the whole experience!
Start your engines!
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Indianapolis Mini Marathon did not disappoint! I actually signed up for this race in 2020 and then deferred from 2020 to 2021 and then 2022. The … MORE
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Indianapolis Mini Marathon did not disappoint! I actually signed up for this race in 2020 and then deferred from 2020 to 2021 and then 2022. The primary reason I signed up for the race was to “check Indiana off my list,” And, I really enjoyed my experience!
Unfortunately, my flight to Indianapolis was canceled on the Thursday before the race, so I didn’t arrive until mid-afternoon on Friday (and the race was on Saturday). It was very easy to get from the airport to my hotel in downtown Indianapolis via Uber (about a 30-minute drive), and then the Expo and Packet Pick-Up was within several blocks’ walking distance of my hotel as well. I walked there after I arrived in plenty of time to get my packet and check out many of the vendors at the Expo. I do wish I had arrived at the Expo a little earlier simply because a lot of the merchandise I wanted to purchase was already sold out in my size by the time I got there…they had great vendors and great selections! I hadn’t anticipated wanting to purchase anything!
The hotel I selected (Home2Suites) was not part of the block advertised through the race website, but it was still within a couple of blocks of the starting line and other shops and restaurants. I was disappointed that they would not allow me to have a late check-out and insisted on the check-out time of 11:00 am on the morning of the race. (I was flying out Saturday evening.) I’m a slow runner and knew that I would not be able to get back to the hotel in time to get cleaned up before check-out, so I ended up extending my stay by one night just so I could take a shower after I returned from finishing the race. I also have to admit that I did not always feel especially safe walking around downtown Indianapolis by myself, so I made sure I did not wander around after dark. Just something to be aware of for folks who may be traveling alone.
On Saturday morning, I was able to easily walk to the starting line from my hotel in plenty of time. I appreciated that the race organizers set up the start so that runners began in waves, depending upon one’s estimated completion time. They also provided the exact time that those waves would start. So, while the race technically started at 7:30 am, I knew my wave wasn’t slated to start until 8:10 am, which was helpful for planning purposes.
The course overall was great! I can’t say that it was especially scenic, other than the lap (approximately two miles) around the Indianapolis Speedway, but there were plenty of aid stations and tons of community support and entertainment. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The Speedway is cool, and its timing in the race (miles 6-8) was nice and made the rest of the race (which can often be the most brutal for me) go pretty quickly. The weather was absolutely perfect…a bit chilly but sunny, which I think is one of the reasons I felt so good throughout the race. It was also relatively flat, which can also be helpful! 🙂
Although I’m not one who usually hangs out at the Post-Race Party, I did take advantage of the opportunity to get my medal engraved, which was kind of cool (although it cost $20). They also had good food following the race. Better signage about how to get out of the Post-Race Party would have been helpful!
Although I flew out of Indianapolis later that evening, I had plenty of time to get back to the hotel to get cleaned up (after having to purchase an additional night in order to be able to shower and finish packing after the race), eat some lunch, and even do a little shopping around Indy. I took an Uber back to the airport and made it back home late that evening without incident.
I would definitely recommend this race. I’m sure there is more to do in Indianapolis than what I took advantage of as well, but I did not have a lot of sight-seeing time (and also have visited Indianapolis a number of times previously). I’m also not a big NASCAR fan but found the Indianapolis Speedway really fun and a unique race experience. Overall, I had a great time and am glad I did this race!
Iconic local race
I would say this is a local must-do race if you live near Indianapolis or are a racing enthusiast. The highlight is obviously the 2.5 mile lap on the track … MORE
I would say this is a local must-do race if you live near Indianapolis or are a racing enthusiast. The highlight is obviously the 2.5 mile lap on the track at Indy Motor Speedway, both for the legendary status of the venue and the pristine running surface. The spectator energy is really great too. (Plus you might luck out like this year with perfect spring weather.) The downsides are the roads and the surroundings. Indy is notorious for potholes, so while most of them on the course have been repaired, I still felt like I was dodging rough patches quite a bit. Also, the route from downtown to Speedway is a more run-down part of the city. Overall it’s a very good race and a prime spot to PR.
Very unique setting and nice raceway
Course is fairly flat, even the bank on the raceway is slight, I took way too many pictures along the way. Stop and kiss the bricks to carry on the … MORE
Course is fairly flat, even the bank on the raceway is slight, I took way too many pictures along the way. Stop and kiss the bricks to carry on the tradition. Fairly good number of aid stations, and lots of spectators along the way, wish there was more fan support (ie snacks, alcohol) along the way. Would rpeat again at least once more.
Big race, big scenery… big show!
The production for the Indymini is amazing! If you want a certain wave to start from, you must send in a recent qualifying time. I immensely appreciate this because I’ve … MORE
The production for the Indymini is amazing! If you want a certain wave to start from, you must send in a recent qualifying time. I immensely appreciate this because I’ve participated in many other 20,000+ runner races and (Rock n Roll) does not and it sucks to spend so much time weaving in and out of the crowds… However, because they validate runners, I truly felt like I was running in a smaller race… they evenly spread the starts out so you’re not crammed in by the masses!
The scenery was great and running on the Indianapolis Speedway was an experience of a lifetime crossing the brick finish line… many stop to kiss the bricks. The swag and pre/post race events were wonderfully organized. They give you a bag at the beginning of drink/food hand out after you cross the finish line… which I very much appreciate instead of trying to carry a drink and other items and then having to lay them down to stretch out.
Lastly, there were some outstanding bands along the course… more so than you’ll ever get at an RnR event (just sayin’)
This is definitely a must for a check in the box for 50 Staters or running your first half marathon in a big crowd!
Fantastic Half - Indy 500 Full Lap!!
Overall great race with 100 music venues to cheer you along the way. Race production was smooth as silk. Course was flat and easy but there are definitely crowded areas … MORE
Overall great race with 100 music venues to cheer you along the way. Race production was smooth as silk. Course was flat and easy but there are definitely crowded areas as course closes in to narrow point. Best part of the race was running the complete Indy 500. It’s an amazing 2.5mile run. Just recovering from knee surgery so I felt great with my time. You could easily PR as my husband did!
Love it!
Amazing crowds! The best mini experience. I absolutely enjoyed it. Ran through indy 500 car racecourse for 2 miles and you are around 8 or 9 miles into the mini MORE
Amazing crowds! The best mini experience. I absolutely enjoyed it. Ran through indy 500 car racecourse for 2 miles and you are around 8 or 9 miles into the mini leaving indy 500 field.
Race track
Nice swag every year and the race is well organized. Lots of people. Running on the track is great. It rained this year which was a bummer but still was … MORE
Nice swag every year and the race is well organized. Lots of people. Running on the track is great. It rained this year which was a bummer but still was fun.
Biggest Half
The Indy Mini is the Biggest Half. However if you send in your time and get a good Corral you hardly notice. The Expo is AMAZING!! Vip is worth it!! … MORE
The Indy Mini is the Biggest Half. However if you send in your time and get a good Corral you hardly notice. The Expo is AMAZING!! Vip is worth it!! The course is flat and fast. Plenty of entertainment on the course. The medal was really cool. My only complaint is I feel the race organizers are a little sexist towards women so will not be back. Never heard back with my complaint. Plenty if Bathrooms or Access.
race track is tough in the rain
Get ready for plenty of water stops. they take care of that. Couple of sketchy hoods. plenty of local support even in the rain. medals and shirts were nice. rain … MORE
Get ready for plenty of water stops. they take care of that. Couple of sketchy hoods. plenty of local support even in the rain. medals and shirts were nice. rain rain and more rain for the 5K and the half. all and all it was worth the drive.
Great experience!
This race has so many participants (about 20,000) that they have multiple corrals, each with several waves. This worked out very well. The race is very flat, and unfortunately, the … MORE
This race has so many participants (about 20,000) that they have multiple corrals, each with several waves. This worked out very well. The race is very flat, and unfortunately, the scenery is not very interesting except for the one lap (2.5 miles) around the Indianopolis Motor Speedway.
There were lots of volunteers (standing in the rain) cheering us on, and handing out water and electrolytes and the many aid stations.
The swag included a medal (which had a map of the course on the back), a long sleeve tech shirt and a tech hat. Very nice!
If I lived within driving distance, I would definitely run this every year; even though I live in California, I plan on running it again someday (and hopefully it won’t rain!)
My favorite half marathon
Absolutely huge half marathon race. Very well organized production from start to finish. Excellent course, great support, lots of crowds to cheer you on. Throw in a lap around the … MORE
Absolutely huge half marathon race. Very well organized production from start to finish. Excellent course, great support, lots of crowds to cheer you on. Throw in a lap around the Indianapolis Speedway to kiss the bricks and you have a great race!
Awesome course
The course was good. The race track was the best part, although because it rained the whole time the wind got to you the most at the track. The finisher … MORE
The course was good. The race track was the best part, although because it rained the whole time the wind got to you the most at the track. The finisher medals were sweet. I did the greatest Spectacle challenge and it was worth it! Nice shirts too. Since it was raining I didn’t stay for the after party at all but it seemed like it would have been fun. I highly recommend this race. The course is also flat too.
Race filled with Hoosier Hospitality
For being the largest race in the state and one of the largest half-marathons in the country, it doesn't feel that way. The corrals are set up and are mostly-monitored … MORE
For being the largest race in the state and one of the largest half-marathons in the country, it doesn’t feel that way. The corrals are set up and are mostly-monitored so those from later corrals don’t jump in with earlier ones … however I started in the 2nd wave with the I corral and I saw some participants right off the bat who should have been in the 3rd or 4th wave. No matter – for the number of people participating (30,000), the course was going to be fairly crowded at the start anyway. PLENTY of water stops, or “pit stops” as we like to call them in Indianapolis in May, lots of crowd support – even with the steady rain throughout the race. This is my 3rd year running it and I’ve already registered for next year. The medal always has something to do with the Indianapolis 500 and being able to run on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is exciting for this Hoosier-girl. The race swag also includes a running hat and a long-sleeve tech shirt – virtual swag bag consists of coupons to other races and local businesses only (not applicable to runners like me who don’t live in the metro Indianapolis area).
Popular for a good reason
With thousands of people in the field, it would be easy to feel like just one of the masses, but this half marathon is "an event," and one that is … MORE
With thousands of people in the field, it would be easy to feel like just one of the masses, but this half marathon is “an event,” and one that is worthy of the crowd it draws.
I only made it in for the end of the Friday night race expo but it is large, with vendors offering a variety of products for sale and for free (Got a free shirt and two nice gear bags). I missed one of presentations I wanted to see but there were event information booths and plenty of volunteers.
The expo takes place in the convention center, attached to many Marriott brand hotels, so it makes for a nice atmosphere with thousands of runners milling about.
The swag is OK with the tech shirt. They sell a ton of other merchandise (and it looks like the year-old stuff is offered on deep discount with all the communication they send out, which reduces my incentive to buy this year.)
My hotel room overlooked the starting area, and I watched the pre-race festivities for the 5K on local TV while watching the runners gather in the street below.
The starting area is well-organized with corrals. There is plenty of support and event information.
The course itself is very easy, largely flat. The biggest incline was entering the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of a downhill/uphill combo. There was another slight incline in mile 12 onto the bridge over the White River. Otherwise, nothing notable in terms of hills. This could be a great course for PRs if you can get a clear path and the right weather conditions (which was the case in 2019 with mid-50s and light drizzle).
Chip-timed, of course, with splits for every 5k included in the results. On course, each mile marker has a clock corresponding to the gun time, which is a nice feature.
I expected it to be crowded, and it was, but it wasn’t too tight so as to be frustrating. I anticipated a conservative first few miles navigating people and while that was part of it, the pack kept moving and there was always a path for passing. There are probably some newcomers in the field, so you will see people stopping without signaling or walking in the middle of the flow. But, as mentioned, this is an event, so many are taking in the spectacle of running on the speedway, listening to the entertainment, and just enjoying the camaraderie of running.
Other than the beginning, the tightest part of the course seems to be Main Street in Speedway, which also is a stretch with a lot of spectator support.
The speedway itself is so large, it takes a bit to realize you are running inside of a sports stadium, but it is cool. There are several cheerleading groups along the oval, the sixth mile paying tribute to those who died in military service is moving to the point of putting a lump in your throat, and just the venue size is impressive. While I am a sports fan, I had never been to the speedway, and that was part of the attraction of the event for me, and it was worth it. The scenery grade is largely for that.
I am still a newcomer to this distance, and at some point in the races I question whether I really enjoy running 13.1 miles. This race has enough going on between the speedway, the bands, DJs, cheerleaders and spectators lining the course, and just people who came out of their houses and cheered that those thoughts never crossed my mind.
You will always have dozens of people around you to run with and pass, if those things help keep you going.
The finish area is well-organized with a half-block walk-through to get water, the medal, a banana, Clif bar, pretzels, Gatorade, a cookie, post-race photos.
The medal is neat, with a race car graphic on the front and the course map etched in the back side.
I was looking forward to the post-race party, but while the weather was great for running, it was not great for standing outside in wet clothes after running.
If the schedule allows, I would likely run again next year.