Month: November 2019

Black Friday is quickly approaching but we’re starting our deal early! Register for the 2020 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon starting at 12:01 am ET on November 26, 2019 through 11:59 pm ET December 2, 2019, and receive a one-of-a-kind knitted #IndyMini stadium scarf! The colors match last year’s beanie, and is the perfectly cozy addition to your winter apparel. The stadium scarf is two-sides, so the designs show no matter which way you wear it! Let the world know you’re training for America’s Best Half Marathon. Plus, you can show off your stadium scarf inside an iconic stadium when you pick up your #IndyMini packet at field level in Lucas Oil Stadium. This exclusive deal is only available for a short time and supplies are limited so register quickly to get yours! Already registered? Purchase yours at a special Black Friday price here.

About the scarf
The two-sided Indy Mini stadium scarf is navy, red, and white, and is 4 feet in length and 7 inches wide. Its knitted soft, acrylic material will keep you comfy and warm all winter long! Across the middle of the scarf is “Indy Mini” with a red Indiana as the “I.” Beneath that reads “OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K.” Each of the sides are identical, with red racing stripes and white and navy checkers like the flag, which symbolizes the end of the Indy 500. A variation of the torch and stars from the Indiana state flag is above a smaller version of the Indy Mini design that’s in the middle.

Questions? Email us at raceinfo@500festival.com. Check below for the answers and terms & conditions of our promotion.

How do I get a scarf?
Simply complete your registration for the 2020 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, or one of the Challenges, and you’ll automatically receive this commemorative gift. This offer is only available for Mini-Marathon and Challenge registrations and is not valid for Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K or 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, registrations. No code is necessary.

How long is this deal good for?
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Black Friday scarf promotion will run from Tuesday, November 26 at 12:01 am ET through Monday, December 2 at 11:59 pm ET. No rain checks will be accepted.

How many scarves will I get?
One scarf per person

When will scarves ship?
Scarves will ship the week of December 9 and should arrive by December 24. Scarves will be shipped to the address on the registration. You will receive an email when your scarf ships.

Can I register someone else up for the Indy Mini so they receive the scarf?
Yes! Follow the instructions on the registration form for registering someone else. However, please note that the scarf will ship to the address on the registration if you were planning a surprise.  

What makes the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon so awesome? We surveyed participants and here is what some of the top reasons are!

1. Indianapolis Motor Speedway

No other race gives you the chance to be on the track of the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and kiss the bricks (okay, there’s another one but we won’t make you qualify in a field of 33 going over 200 MPH). How legendary is IMS? It’s the largest sporting venue in the world and has been around since. That’s history, tradition, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience you get with your Indy Mini registration at no additional charge. 

2. The Gold Mile

As you enjoy the spectacle of the Speedway, you will reach the Gold Mile, a section of the course that pays tribute to the sacrifice made by fallen service men and women. Their families and volunteers will encourage you while you honor our soldiers. At the Expo, you can also pick up a Gold Mile bib to run in memory of a service member. 

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3. Course Entertainment

Headphones aren’t a necessity during the Indy Mini, or should we say this 13.1 mile long concert? Nearly 500 entertainers line the course, from gospel singers to rock bands, string quartets to DJs. 

4. Hoosier hospitality

Ope, let me sneak right past ya to say our participants rave about the Hoosier Hospitality when they do the Indy Mini. From volunteers to businesses around the city, we’re all excited to celebrate the Greatest Spectacle in Running and help you have the best experience.

5. The Swag

Year after year, participants have a finisher medal and participant shirt fit for May. Past medals and shirts have incorporated recognizable Indy 500 attributes, such as the milk bottle, the Pagoda, and IndyCars. Coming soon: the 2020 shirt and medal reveal!

6. Expo

Step inside the field level inside Lucas Oil Stadium pickup your race packet. With over 90,000 square feet of exhibit space, you can check out some awesome vendors in the industry and fun activation to prepare you for the race. Two legendary sporting venues. One epic race weekend. 

7. Post Race Party

Here’s a party worth going to the distance for! After you receive your hard earned medal and grab your runners services goodies, reunite with friends & family and throw down at the Post Race Party in Military Park. 

Don’t miss out on the 2020 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon! Register now and see for yourself what makes our race one of the best in the U.S. on May 2. Register at indymini.com/register and share your training on social media by using #IndyMini!

Name: Danielle Shively

Where You Live: Lafayette, IN

Year of First Indy Mini: 2015

Fun Fact:
Never ran track or played sports until high school.  Volleyball and short distance were my thing, but long jump was my favorite. I became a group fit instructor as an adult and did everything to avoid running until 2015. 

Favorite Place to Run:

Outdoors on state park trails, wooded or paved, and when visiting Indy the Canal of course. 

Advice:

Running takes time, patience, and dedication.  Listen to your body and be patient for the transformation.  The running family is very welcoming to beginners, and extremely supportive on all levels.  Reach out ask for help and realize we all had to start somewhere.  There is never a question to be embarrassed by so don’t be afraid to ask, and most importantly enjoy your journey and realize that even your story will inspire someone new. 

Indianapolis loves to break records, including today’s record low-temperature for the day. Don’t miss out on crucial Indy Mini training time just because winter weather has moved in! Here are a few quick trips on how to manage your training when it’s, quite literally, freezing outside.

• Bundle up

It’s important to cover up during your run or walk to regulate your body temperature as well as protect your skin from cold winds. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust as your body temperature rises. And don’t forget to protect your hands and head! Looking for new training apparel? Check out our fall training shopping list.

• Hydrate

When it’s cold outside, it’s easier to forget about your water intake. Be sure to drink plenty of water and replenish your electrolytes to prevent dehydration.

• Watch where you’re stepping

Obvious advice in any running conditions but especially important when black ice is present!

• Stay inside

We know, we know. Nothing beats training outdoors but sometimes weather conditions make it unsafe to do so. If training on a treadmill is your worst nightmare, there are ways to make it more enjoyable! Try a new treadmill workout or incorporate other cross-training exercises. A fun playlist, TV show, or book also help the treadmill minutes fly by.

Register now for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon happening on May 2, 2020. This can’t miss half-marathon takes you through downtown Indianapolis to the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where you can kiss the bricks just like racing legends. Plus, our flat, fast course makes it a great race for runners, walkers, and wheelchair participants! Register now at www.indymini.com/register.

Name: Kelly Halstead 

Hometown: Carmel 

Year of first IndyMini: 2015

Fun fact about myself: I’m trying to run 20 half marathons by the end of 2020 I’m at 8!

Favorite place to run: The Monon Trail! The people you see along the trail are always so motivating.

Advice for first timers: “One day you won’t be able to do this. And today is not that day!”

Name: Patti Hammerle

Hometown: Brownsburg, IN

Year of First #IndyMini: 2009

Fun fact about yourself: I didn’t start running until I turned 40!

Favorite place to run: At home, definitely downtown Indy; best place ever though is New York City!

Advice for first-timers: Have fun! Find a running tribe and use them for support. A mile is a mile no matter how fast you go – the important thing is that you are doing it!