INDIANAPOLIS (June 12, 2018) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announces registration is open for the third annual 500 Festival mini-mini, a timed fun run designed specifically for kids. The 2018 500 Festival mini-mini is scheduled for Sunday, August 26 and will take place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event is open to children ages 5 – 12 and parents or guardians can register their mini-mini runner for $15 online at IndyMini.com.
Now in its third year, the 500 Festival mini-mini provides Indiana’s youth with an experience similar to the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, but sized just for them. The 500 Festival mini-mini provides a fun, accessible activity for kids to come out and participate in a race held at one of the world’s most iconic venues, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More than 2,000 mini-mini runners will pack the Speedway for this fun event.
“The 500 Festival mini-mini mirrors the excitement and thrill of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, featuring a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “The mini-mini takes the uniqueness of the Indy Mini experience and introduces kids to the sport of running, instilling their desire to be physically active for life. With opportunities for all ability levels, we’re excited to see even more mini Hoosiers conquer the track this August.”
The 500 Festival mini-mini is the first and only youth run to take place at IMS. Kids participating in the mini-mini will experience the larger-than-life fun of a 500 Festival running event – complete with course entertainment, massive cheering sections, participant timing, and the coveted mini-mini medal. Five different race distances will be offered, ranging from half a mile to 2.5 miles, allowing participants to select the race that best meets their age and ability. All participants will start and finish at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s famed Yard of Bricks.
All 500 Festival mini-mini participants will attend packet pickup, hosted at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Plaza Pavilion before the race. mini-mini participants will receive a runner’s bib with a timing device and a participant shirt. At the conclusion of their race, participants will receive a finisher’s medal and the opportunity to go through runner’s services – just like the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants.
Schedule
1:30 pm: Gates & Celebration Zone Open; Packet Pickup Begins
2:30 pm: 0.5 Mile Race (K/1st grade, 5-7 years old)
3:00 pm: 1 Mile Race (2nd/3rd grade, 7-9 years old)
3:30 pm: 1.5 Mile Race (4th grade, 9-10 years old)
4:00 pm: 2 Mile Race (5th grade, 10-11 years old)
4:45 pm: 2.5 Mile Race (6th grade, 11-12 years old)
6:00 pm: Gates & Celebration Zone Close
The top three male and female finishers of each wave will receive awards
Times are approximate, subject to change.
Participants and spectators can enjoy the mini-mini’s Celebration Zone before and after their race. The Celebration Zone will feature fun, interactive activities for children of all ages and a wide range of exhibitors who believe in the importance of a healthy lifestyle for Indiana’s youth.
Parents or guardians can register their mini runner online for just $15 now through Tuesday, August 21. The cost to register onsite the day of the event is $20. Both fees include a participant t-shirt and finisher’s medal. To register online, please visit: http://www.indymini.com/p/kidsrunning/minimini.
The 500 Festival mini-mini is supported by the 500 Festival Foundation and Youth Fitness Cornerstone Partners: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, AON, PNC Bank and Crowe LLP.
To learn more about the 500 Festival mini-mini, visit www.indymini.com or search #Indyminimini on social media.
