It’s no doubt that the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is a beloved Month of May tradition in Indiana and beyond. For Eric Seitz’s family, the Indy Mini has been a tradition since his father first ran in 1999. The Indy Mini happens to coincide with his father’s birthday, the perfect icing on the cake to race weekend you could say.
Having grown up in the Indianapolis area, Eric has always looked forward the kicking off the Month of May with the Greatest Spectacle in Running. Eric ran his first Indy Mini in 2012 and hasn’t missed one since, even after relocating to Fort Wayne, and plans to continue the tradition for years to come.
In college, Eric decided to make a commitment to improve his health and fitness. He set a goal to run the Indy Mini and has been hooked on running ever since. Juggling being a teacher and a father to two young daughters, it can be challenging for Eric to run consistently. Being a positive role model and setting an example for his two young daughters, ages four and one, keeps him motivated. He is passionate about instilling a love for a healthy and active lifestyle in his children and the Indy Mini is an exciting environment to encourage that message. His oldest daughter already loves to watch him run, oohs and ahs it his medals, and talks about running with him!
Another source of inspiration for Eric is a young boy with autism named Gio. Eric has been running for Gio since 2016. Gio motivates Eric to keep running and working toward his health and fitness to be the best role model and father he can be to his daughters. Eric even shares his finisher medals with Gio to include him in the race experience.
2022 will be Eric’s 11th consecutive Indy Mini and he couldn’t be more excited to run the race in person again. To him, nothing compares to the live race experience, complete with course entertainment, the lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, crossing the Yard of Bricks, and hearing the cheer of the crowd as he crosses the finish line!
Join Eric for the 2022 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 7, 2022! Register for the Greatest Spectacle for the lowest possible rate TODAY!