During the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 4, there were 22 pit stations staffed by 22 enthusiastic organizations, companies and groups that came together from all over Indiana to hand out water and Gatorade to participants during the race. Every year, pit station members dress in costumes and decorate their areas to amp … Continue reading “Citizens Energy Group – 2019 Pit Station Winner”
During the 2019 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 4, there were 22 pit stations staffed by 22 enthusiastic organizations, companies and groups that came together from all over Indiana to hand out water and Gatorade to participants during the race.
Every year, pit station members dress in costumes and decorate their areas to amp up their location and motivate participants as they pass by. Group members are on their feet all morning, cheering and preparing for thousands of runners and walkers to pass by their station. The Indy Mini wouldn’t be possible without these individuals who volunteer their Saturday morning to help runners and walkers reach their goals.
This year was special as the Indy Mini fell on May 4th, otherwise known as “May the Fourth Be with You,” the unofficial holiday of the Star Wars franchise. To celebrate the day, Citizens Energy Group stood out with – you guessed it – a Star Wars theme! Citizens Energy Group is the presenting sponsor of the 500 Festival Volunteer Program and has had a pit station for eight years – making it a long-standing tradition for the employees and their families.
Seven years ago, when Citizens came on board as the sponsor of the 500 Festival’s Volunteer Program, they hosted a small pit station during the Indy Mini with approximately 30 employee volunteers. They had an enjoyable and positive experience, and have since grown to a 100-person pit station inside turn one of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Employees and their families look forward to the Indy Mini every year, cheering on and providing hydration to the participants. One of their favorite parts is seeing the same kids participate every year and seeing how much they continue to grow!
The 500 Festival is fortunate to have a community of organizations and companies that come together every year to pass water and Gatorade to our Indy Mini participants!
Drum roll please… Introducing the participant shirt and finisher medal for the 2019 500 Festival mini-mini! Modeled after this year’s medal for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the mini-mini medal features elements of racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The wing and wheel is on the front and back of the medal. Also etched in … Continue reading “2019 500 Festival mini-mini Shirt and Medal Reveal”
Drum roll please…
Introducing the participant shirt and finisher medal for the
2019 500 Festival mini-mini!
Modeled after this year’s medal for the OneAmerica 500
Festival Mini-Marathon, the mini-mini medal features elements of racing and the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The wing
and wheel is on the front and back of the medal. Also etched in medal on the
front are IndyCars racing in the Indy 500, coming around turn one. The event
name and city on the front also make this medal the perfect memory of the event
for you and your child. Plus, the bright green and paint splatter ribbon will
certainly help this medal stick out from all the rest!
The navy, technical shirt is short sleeved and has the event
name across the front. The famed wing and wheel on the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway in front of a blue, paint-splatter design completes the look of the
front. On the back, there’s the event logo, sponsor logos, and the phrase “Kids
Run Here.” Look familiar? That was on the IndyCars of Sage Karam and JR
Hildebrand during the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500!
Are your mini runners registered to race in the iconic
Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 5? Online registration for the mini-mini
is now open at indymini.com/minimini.
Sign-up your kids and show them the hardware that they’ll earn after they kiss
the bricks this fall!
Indiana’s smallest runners will take over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the 2019 500 Festival mini-mini kids’ run on October 5. We have a challenge for our youngest fans – we want you to color the picture above and include a good luck message to runners participating in this year’s mini-mini. We’ll attach all of the … Continue reading “2019 500 Festival mini-mini Coloring Contest”
Indiana’s smallest runners will take over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the 2019 500 Festival mini-mini kids’ run on October 5. We have a challenge for our youngest fans – we want you to color the picture above and include a good luck message to runners participating in this year’s mini-mini. We’ll attach all of the good luck pictures and messages to the bibs of mini-mini participants. PLUS, the grand prize winner will receive 2 free mini-mini registrations (one for you and one for a friend), plus two free Parade tickets. Start coloring your sheet today!
The deadline to enter has been extended to September 12, 2019.
Your mission if you
choose to accept:
Print off the coloring page and the entry form found below. (Please print one-sided)
Color the picture using your creativity!
Fill out the entry form.
Mail your picture and completed entry form to the address below:
Submissions must be received by September 12, 2019.
The contest is open to children ages 12 and under.
Limit one (1) entry per child.
Entry must be received by the 500 Festival no later than September 12, 2019.
Entry must include the colored picture and completed entry form. Any entries missing the above requirements will be disqualified.
No purchase necessary to participate or win.
All entries must be original and entirely created by the entrant.
There are no restrictions on what an entrant can use to color the image.
500 Festival and mini-mini sponsors’ employees and their family members are not eligible.
The top three winners will be notified by email the week of September 16, 2019. The grand prize winner will receive 2 free mini-mini registrations (one for you and one for a friend), plus two free Parade tickets. Second Place will receive 1 free mini-mini registration. Third Place will receive a 500 Festival prize pack.
All entries become the property of the 500 Festival and may be used or reproduced in any manner and for any purpose by the 500 Festival without additional consent or compensation, and will not be acknowledged or returned.
All submitted entries will be randomly attached to mini-mini participant bibs and distributed at packet pickup on race day – to serve as good luck messages to runners!
Good Luck! We look forward to viewing the entries!
Check out the 2019 500 Festival mini-mini Coloring Contest Winners here!
Indy Mini Ambassadors are some of the most loyal participants of our race. A mix of runners and walkers, Ambassadors train, inspire, recruit, and help others get excited about the Indy Mini as they introduce them to the fun of running and walking throughout the spring. Now is your opportunity to partake in this exciting … Continue reading “Apply to be a 2020 Indy Mini Ambassador!”
Indy Mini Ambassadors are some of the most loyal participants of our race. A mix of runners and walkers, Ambassadors train, inspire, recruit, and help others get excited about the Indy Mini as they introduce them to the fun of running and walking throughout the spring. Now is your opportunity to partake in this exciting opportunity!
But don’t just take our word from it; hear from some of our awesome ambassadors over the years what their favorite part of the program was:
Lisha (2019)- My favorite thing about being an Ambassador hands down was all the amazing people I have met! From fellow ambassadors to past ambassadors and the 500 Festival staff!! I also met some other inspiring runners just from being active as an ambassador. Nothing beats showing up to races around Indiana and seeing friendly faces that I’ve met from this experience!
April (2018)- The people I met through my time being an ambassador have become like family. Being an ambassador changed my life and gave me more confidence to step out of my comfort zone. The people I was surrounded by helped push me to be a better runner and a better person.
Kirstin (2019)- My favorite thing was sharing the race with others! My mother and aunt even flew in from New Jersey to do their first ever 5k because I was an ambassador!
Jenny (2018, 2019)- Such an amazing experience all around. Representing the absolute, hands-down best half marathon around was such a wonderful opportunity! If I have to pick one thing, it’s the amazing people you meet! Such an amazing opportunity to represent such an amazing race and all the wonderful people I met along the way.
Kevin (2019)- I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Ambassador family and all of the group activities together. I enjoyed the chance to spread the excitement of the Greatest Spectacle in Running and recruit first timers and veterans alike.
Scott (2016)- Getting to meet new people from around the state. Also, getting my picture taken with Meb!
Kyle (2018)- It allowed me to be active in my community through volunteering. I LOVED meeting the people I met through my time as an ambassador. It allowed me to invite friends and family to fun events through 500 Festival and see the smiling faces by those enjoying their time and achieving personal goals!
Danielle (2018, 2019)- Hands down 2018 holds my heart and it helped me build into the 2019 ambassador year. Each year was great in its own way. I met so many amazing individuals within the running community, meeting others along the way of their journey and helping pull them through. The outreach we were able to do with volunteering in the community and the organization just made my love for 500 Festival grow that much more.
Emily (2018)- The program helped me turn my health around, I met so many awesome people, and I was able to encourage so many of my friends to sign up and get involved through running and volunteering!
Monica (2018)- I met some wonderful people that still inspire and motivate me. I also loved encouraging/ inspiring my friends and family to sign up and complete something they didn’t think they could originally do.
Cindy (2019)- I met so many wonderful people by being an ambassador. It was fun interacting with my fellow ambassadors as well as former ones. I was also able to get more involved with the running community. But most importantly, you all made my very first Indy Mini experience one I will never forget.
Sheehan (2018)- I loved meeting so many amazing friends and encouraging / supportive people all working towards common goals in getting the community out there for the Indy Mini! Ultimately creating a healthier community!
Rob (2019)- I enjoyed meeting all the wonderful people and being inspired by all of them in one way or another. Looking forward to continued interaction with ambassador alumni now that our term is finished.
Mark (2016)- I was part of the original 13 ambassadors. Chatting with Frank Shorter was very special. Wearing the Mini Ambassador shirt during the races or trading runs leading up to the Mini was also pretty cool. 😎
Applications to be an Indy Mini Ambassador are now open! The deadline to apply is August 26 at 11:59 pm ET. Learn more about the program, including requirements, here. Good luck!
