Month: July 2018

We’re less than one month away from the 500 Festival mini-mini kids run, and it’s tag weekend!

Check out the recently revealed shirts and medals!

Tag someone you know with kids between the ages of 5-12 who would love a chance to burn rubber at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 26. On Monday morning (July 30), we’ll give away a FREE REGISTRATION chose at random for the 2018 500 Festival mini-mini.

Why are we playing tag? There are no age limits for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon; our historic annual tradition that kicks off the month of May. However, kids between the ages of 5-12 might not have their own social media accounts (maybe we’re wrong there). Point is – we need your help to find all the little runners we can pack into IMS this August!

So jump on the social media post where you saw this game and tag away!

Have kids of your own? Register them for the 500 Festival mini-mini and start training before summer ends!

500 Festival mini-mini | A Mother-Daughter Tradition

Tinley wanted to be just like mom.

At seven years old, she dusted the field at a track meet and clocked in at 8:10 in the 1600 meters. The next week, her mother (April) ran an 8:05 in a mile-long race. At her next track meet, Tinley knew her time had come. She was finally old enough and fast enough to beat mom… 7:43.

“She told me she would beat my time,” April said. ” She was so excited to crush my mile PR.”

Tinley is now focused on improving her 5K time and she can’t wait to run 13.1 with her mom. That’s how this whole thing started for Tinley and the Woodruffs (dad runs, too). April’s first half marathon was the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, and it’s a guarantee that the Indy Mini will be Tinley’s first half, as well.

April has run the Indy Mini every year since Tinley was born, and there’s proof in the photos below.

“Tinley is a huge motivator to me,” said April. “Her dad brings her to each one of my races and they cheer for me along the course and at the finish.  Seeing her pushes me to keep going even when I may be struggling.”

Their mother-daughter bond provides motivation in both directions. Tinley motivates April, sometimes riding her bike with her mom on longer runs, carrying her water and speeding ahead to make her catch up. April returns the favor at Tinley’s track meets, soccer games, and her own races.

And lucky for Tinley, she got to experience her own miniature version of mom’s Mini-Marathon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway when she was just five years old. For a girl who wants to be just like mom, the 500 Festival mini-mini is step one, and an annual tradition of her own until she’s ready for 13.1.

Tinley’s favorite thing about the mini-mini is experiencing what the drivers feel when racing at the Speedway. She also loves competing against other kids and earning a medal and shirt just like her mom. She was one of the first kids registered for the 3rd year of the race in 2018, and she’s been training all summer.

April has been excited about the mini-mini since the event began in 2016. The different distance options, the Speedway, the bricks, and the chance to earn a medal like all of the Indy Mini runners makes it a special event for kids.

“It’s so well organized and it really makes the kids feel special. It is more than just a race; it is an event!”

A lot of people ask April if she forces Tinley to run. She doesn’t. You can’t force a seven-year-old to run a mile, but you can teach them how to love running by being an example. The two run together at least twice a week and they continue to share running memories that motivate them both.

“Over the years, Tinley has been at many races to watch me finish. She will often run out onto the course, grab my hand, and sprint to the finish line with me.  The crowd cheers and claps for us and those moments are the moments that I will hold in my heart forever.  I love that our family of three all share a love for running.”

Know a miniature runner who would love the high speeds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Share this story with them and join us at the track on August 26 for the 3rd annual 500 Festival mini-mini.

Register for the mini-mini 

The anticipation of the 500 Festival mini-mini is building again in 2018! As we get closer to the big race, hundreds of participants are already signed up and ready to run. No matter your mini runner’s distance of choice, here are a few distance running tips for kids to get ready for the big day.

Make a Plan

There are guidelines and safety measures on how to complete activities properly and within reason, like a pitch count in baseball, how to head a soccer ball, or tackle correctly in football. For kids, no such parameters are set for running, meaning there is little to help you guide your mini runner through realistic training programs.

The simple solution? Make a plan specific to them and get active.

Start Easy

We’ve seen kids conquer the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon at age 13, and it’s been recorded that children as young as 7 have completed full marathons. The result of taking on those distances at a young age can be hit or miss, but we suggest starting a bit smaller.

Train Smart

Make sure they listen to their bodies. The summer heat can be tricky and make it difficult to manage pace and stamina. Never push them too hard and always remember to stay hydrated.

Eat Healthy

The more they run, the hungrier they’re going to get. And that can be a great way to get them eating right! When they’re ready to eat just about anything after a long run, put the healthy stuff in front of them.

Run at Your Own Pace

All kids develop at a different rate, so don’t get caught up in comparing your mini runner’s abilities to other kids their age. Let them go at their own pace!

Make it Fun

Finding ways to make running fun can be the biggest thing that makes or breaks a young runner’s passion for the sport. Having friends to run with or goals to achieve – like the 500 Festival mini-mini – can fuel their competitive future as a runner.

Whatever their age, ability, or passion, get them excited about running at the 500 Festival mini-mini on August 26 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Nothing gets kids more excited to run than t-shirts, medals, and cheering fans at the world’s largest sports venue.

REGISTER TODAY!

Summer 2018 is an ongoing heat wave. Most people love the warm weather, but there comes a point when it starts to get uncomfortable. And that point is here.

With the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon held annually in early May, most of your Indy Mini training takes place through the late winter and spring conditions – a usually unpredictable but fun time to train.

For your little runners preparing for the 500 Festival mini-mini in August,  the weather conditions can take over at times. They’re not training for 13.1 miles, but they need to be ready for the summer heat at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here are a few tips to help them beat the heat and stay safe through their summer running, or any outdoor summer activities!

• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after running or playing.
• Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing (not black or dark colors).
• Find shaded areas to run and play. They can cool you down as much as 10-15 degrees.
• Make sure they listen to their bodies. Tell them not to be a hero!
• Foods that fight the muscle cramps – Things like bananas, watermelon, and celery are great food sources that combat dehydration. Surprisingly, things like beans and sweet potatoes are, too!
• Limit extended periods of time outdoors. Run or play in 15-20 minute increments with sufficient break times.
• The cool down: Find a pool, a hose, sprinklers, or any way to cool off after! A quick cool down of your body temperature is super important, but also fun after breaking a sweat.

Most importantly, get them training for The Greatest Spectacle in (Kids) Running at the 500 Festival mini-mini at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 26! Register today for just $15!

We all know good habits are formed early. Teaching your kids to eat healthy and be active are some obvious Parenting 101 lessons, but you can make some of those habits stick by encouraging a love for running.

As adults, getting up out of the desk chair and finding your way back into running can be an uphill climb. For kids, it’s a much shorter hill. They can push you to get moving while you can help them develop a passion for running.

Here are five reasons to start running with your kids and start bonding over a goal for healthier lives.

1. Running is Affordable

A pair of shoes, some shorts, and a t-shirt are all that’s needed to get started! The equipment needs for a young runner are minimal compared to sports like football, golf, or lacrosse. Much like tossing a ball or playing a game, running can be just as fun at a fraction of the cost.

2. Running is Easy

Okay, so it’s not always easy. In fact, the point of running is to push yourself. We’ve all heard the phrase “it’s like a walk in the park.” Start there! Go for a walk in the park. Then a jog. Then a run. Next thing you know, you and your children are signing up for races and challenging each other to faster times, medals, shirts, and competition.

3. Running is Fun

Don’t think running is all that fun for adults? Add an energetic sidekick and watch that mindset change. In addition, they’ll be sure to fall asleep quicker that night. BONUS!

4. Running is Everywhere

Running has no boundaries. It’s not confined to lines on a field or a court. No need for nets, hoops, or field goal posts. Find a new trail, road, or park and watch your kids use running to explore the world.

5. Running Partners Keep Each Other Accountable

Have fun running and watch your little runner become your accountability partner. You’ll want to see them succeed, and on the days you don’t feel like running, they’ll motivate you to get moving, too.

Get your running sidekick started on a running kick this summer with the 500 Festival mini-mini on August 26, or learn more about all of the 500 Festival’s running events for kids, here.