IndyMini | Blog

A Tribute to Pat Kennedy

Did you know your official 2021 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon shirt and medal includes a hidden tribute? That’s right! Take a closer look to try and find it.

The purpose of this year’s hidden tribute in the participant shirt and finisher medal is to honor the life and legacy of Pat Kennedy, a passionate race fan and 500 Festival ambassador, who unfortunately passed away in April after contracting COVID-19. Kennedy was a past 500 Festival Board Director, a board member of the 500 Festival Foundation, and was part of the 500 Mile Oldtimers Organization.

Kennedy was the fourth-generation President of Kennedy Tank & Manufacturing Co., which was a longtime gas tank supplier for the Indy 500. In an IndyStar article on Kennedy’s life, his sister, Ann Bolin, said, “Every single race day, he would say, ‘Today is better than Christmas.’” It is no secret that Kennedy felt at home at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Dedicated to educating others on the history of The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, Kennedy wrote two books: “The Official Indy 500 Trivia Book,” including 704 multiple choice questions, and “Indy 500 Recaps the Short Chute Edition,” which summarizes every running of the Indy 500.

Each year, Kennedy would donate his latest edition of “Indy 500 Recaps – The Short Chute Edition” to the 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health. His generously donated books continue to be an integral component acting as an encyclopedia of sorts on the subject for the thousands of Indiana fourth grade students in the program. Kennedy’s contributions over the many years have a lifelong impact and will continue to enrich the lives of Hoosiers through his surviving mission to celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 and 500 Festival events.

In a special edition of “Kennedy Tank Talk,” the Kennedy family said, “Pat will be remembered as one of the most selfless, generous, and kind leaders in the industry.” Kennedy’s passionate heart will leave a lasting legacy that will continue to further the spirit and celebrations of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500.

Let us know if you can find the tribute paying homage to Pat Kennedy in both the 2021 #IndyMini shirt and medal.

2021 Challenge Shirts and Medals Revealed!

2021 Challenge Shirt and Medals

Are you up for the challenge? Get ready to conquer the 2021 Indy Mini Challenges like never before! Each challenge features unique medals, shirts, and bibs. Check out this year’s gear to tackle your mileage and crush your goals in style!

All three challenge shirts are short-sleeved, gender-specific shirts made of a blended poly fabric to maximize ventilation and comfort. This year’s medals are heavier in weight, which is unique from years before. All three challenge shirt designs correlate with their medal in design and color.

The Greatest Spectacle Challenge

The Greatest Spectacle challengers will conquer all five of the 500 Festival running events throughout the spring, including the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K, and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. The Greatest Spectacle Challenge participants will receive a unique, commemorative shirt and medal as well as shirts and medals for the Miler Series, 5K, and Mini-Marathon. A total of FOUR sets of medals and shirts!

About the shirt and medal: This heathered orange shirt features the oval shape of the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway enclosed around the famed yard of bricks that represent the track as well as our city. The name of the challenge and total mileage of 35.2 miles are also featured. The back of the shirt boldly commemorates the challenge with the words “5 races. Total Dedication.” The medal correlates in color and design, also featuring the sleek exposed brick design, as well as the name of the challenge and total mileage.

The Mini Maniac Challenge

Mini Maniac Challenge participants will take on all 32.1 miles of the 500 Festival Miler series, presented by OrthoIndy, and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Mini Maniac challengers will receive a commemorative shirt and medal in addition to the shirt and medals for the Miler Series and Mini-Marathon – THREE total sets of shirts and medals!

About the shirt and medal: Featuring a similar design to the Greatest Spectacle shirt, this teal blue shirt also shows off the oval shape of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the iconic bricks. The name of the challenge and total mileage of 32.1 miles are also displayed. The back of the shirt highlights each individual challenge race distances listed “3-6-10-13.1” The Mini Maniac medal correlates with the shirt in color and design and also features the name of the challenge and total mileage conquered.

The Mega Mini Challenge

Participants who tackle the Mega Mini Challenge will complete both the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K and the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on race morning. Mega Mini Challenge participants will receive a commemorative shirt and medal as well as the shirts and medals for the Mini-Marathon and 5K!

About the shirt and medal: The total distance of 16.2 miles is enclosed around the name of the challenge and the beloved yard of bricks are located inside the oval shape of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The back of this royal blue shirt commemorates the year 2021 in a victorious green color. The Mega Mini medal correlates with the shirt in both design and color and also showcases the name of the challenge and the total mileage.

For each challenge, you must be registered for the actual challenge to receive the shirt and medal for that challenge, not each event separately. Email raceinfo@500festival.com if you’d like to upgrade your registration to a Challenge. The last day to register for the 500 Festival Greatest Spectacle and the Mini Maniac Challenges and the 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, is Feb 7. Register here.

Introducing the 2021 Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K Shirt and Medal

Showcase your hard work and dedication with the 2021 Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K gear! Make this year’s unique participant shirt and finisher medal yours by crossing the finish line on May 8.

Participant Shirt

The 2021 Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K shirt is a sleek, white color made of a blended poly fabric to maximize ventilation and comfort. The shirt is gender-specific, allowing for optimal fit.

The 2021 participant shirt highlights this year’s Race Day theme. Famous for the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the historic Indy 500, the city of Indianapolis and racing go hand in hand. The front of the shirt features total race mileage and the colors of the Indy 500 flags, recognized and beloved by all Hoosiers and race fans. Not only is Indy home to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, but also home to The Greatest Spectacle in Running, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K, which is proudly displayed on the back of the shirt.

Finisher Medal

The 2021 finisher medal proudly displays the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K mileage of 3.1 miles, race location of Indianapolis, and the year of the race. The finisher medal also features the historic colors of the Indy 500 flags and is upheld by the iconic checkered flag ribbon, a hallmark of the race. Paying tribute to the racing capital of the world is the downtown Indianapolis skyline and the famed Yard of Bricks, which are etched into the finisher medal.

Ready to conquer the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K and earn your swag? Visit indymini.com/register to sign up for the 5K, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon or one of the Challenges.

The #IndyMini Has Been Named #1 Half Marathon in the Nation of the DECADE!

THE RESULTS ARE IN… The BibRave 100 has been released, and the results are in! The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has been named the: #1 HALF MARATHON IN THE NATION OF THE DECADE 🎉 The Indy Mini was also listed among the races with Best Medals & Swag over the past decade. Additionally, the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K was listed as one of the Best Races of the Decade … Continue reading “The #IndyMini Has Been Named #1 Half Marathon in the Nation of the DECADE!”

THE RESULTS ARE IN…

The BibRave 100 has been released, and the results are in! The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has been named the:

#1 HALF MARATHON IN THE NATION OF THE DECADE 🎉

The Indy Mini was also listed among the races with Best Medals & Swag over the past decade. Additionally, the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K was listed as one of the Best Races of the Decade in the 10 Miles or Less category. 

“We are thrilled that the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon has been voted as the Best Half Marathon of the Decade,” said Bob Bryant, president, and CEO of the 500 Festival. “Like so many other races, we made the decision to cancel the in-person component of our 2020 Indy Mini due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After making such a difficult decision, we received an outpouring of support from our participants. Knowing that they nominated us for these awards makes it all the more meaningful.” 

The BibRave 100 is an annually published list of America’s best races. Rankings are determined based upon runner nominations, surveys from the running industry, and online voting. 

THANK YOU!

 We cannot thank our participants enough for nominating the Indy Mini and 5K for these awards and for entering their votes. We promise to do everything we can to make the next decade just as memorable for our Indy Mini and 5K participants!

2021 Virtual 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, Shirt & Medal

The official 2021 Virtual 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, participant shirt and medal are HERE! If you’ve been waiting to see the swag for the 2021 #IndyMilers, then wait no more. The 2021 Podium Finisher Medal The 2021 Podium Finisher medal features three images in the center that truly capture the Racing Capital … Continue reading “2021 Virtual 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy, Shirt & Medal”

The 2021 Podium Finisher Medal

The 2021 Podium Finisher medal features three images in the center that truly capture the Racing Capital of the World – the flag of Indiana overlaid on the famed Yard of Bricks, the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pagoda, and you guessed it, good ole fashion Hoosier corn!

The numbers 3, 6, and 10 seated at the top of the medal represent each of the three race distances that participants conquer during the Virtual 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy.

Pulling the unique maroon and iconic Indiana design altogether is the ribbon of the medal. The ribbon features the official virtual event title, the race distances completed, and the proud accomplishment of the title, “Podium Finisher.”

The 2021 Podium Finisher Technical Shirt

This year’s shirt is a long-sleeved crewneck made of maroon soft technical material, the same material from the beloved red #IndyMini participant shirt from the 2018 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon! The front of the shirt compliments the design of the medal: the numbers 3, 6, and 10, which represent each race distance in their respective order. Below the large white and grey numbers is, “500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy” – the official event title.

The back design also features the proud accomplishment of “2021 Podium Finisher,” but this time it is overlaid on Indiana’s iconic state shape. Beneath that are our partner logos: OrthoIndy, the NCAA Hall of Champions, and Clif. Right beneath the collar is the event logo.

“How Do I Get This Swag?” You Might Ask…

The only way to earn this awesome shirt and medal is to be registered for the 2021 Virtual 500 Festival Miler Series, presented by OrthoIndy! Participants who are registered for the Mini Maniac Challenge or Greatest Spectacle Challenge are automatically included in the Virtual Miler Series.

Whether you’re training for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon or just looking for some extra fitness motivation, it’s a great opportunity to get moving during this challenging time. Visit indymini.com/milers to register now!

How to Add More Miles to Your Day

Congratulations, you took a giant step for your health by registering for a virtual challenge! There’s no limit to how you can log your miles. However, sometimes life gets in the way and finding time for those extra miles can be a challenge. We’re here to help! Here are some almost effortless ways to sneak … Continue reading “How to Add More Miles to Your Day”

Congratulations, you took a giant step for your health by registering for a virtual challenge! There’s no limit to how you can log your miles. However, sometimes life gets in the way and finding time for those extra miles can be a challenge. We’re here to help! Here are some almost effortless ways to sneak in some more miles into your day.

1. Take a ten minute break from work by going for a walk
2. Find a free 30 min fitness class on YouTube
3. Park a few spots away from the entrance when running errands or going out to eat
4. Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible
5. Set your fitness watch or phone to remind you to get up and move once an hour
6. Recommend fun fitness activities with friends and family, like biking, paddling, hiking and more!
7. Go for a morning walk with your dog
8. If in the office, walk to a coworker to ask a quick question instead of sending an IM or email
9. Power walk through a few extra aisles at the grocery store
10. Use a smaller cup or bottle for water to sneak some extra steps in for refills!

Good luck and have fun on your virtual challenge!

How to Log #HoosierHoliday Miles

The journey through the holiday season begins and ends in Indiana! #HoosierHoliday Challenge participants can start completing and submitting miles on Nov. 1. There are two ways to log your miles if you are signed into your RunSignup account: Through your confirmation email Click “manage your registration” Click “view registration” Click “submit virtual results” Through your … Continue reading “How to Log #HoosierHoliday Miles”

The journey through the holiday season begins and ends in Indiana! #HoosierHoliday Challenge participants can start completing and submitting miles on Nov. 1.

There are two ways to log your miles if you are signed into your RunSignup account:

Through your confirmation email

Click “manage your registration”
Click “view registration”
Click “submit virtual results”

Through your RSU account

Sign into your RSU account at runsignup.com
Click the profile bottom in the top right corner of the page
Click “profile”
There, you will see a list of upcoming races that is unique to each participant
Click “submit virtual results” under the Indy 500 Mile Challenge or Freedom 100 Mile Challenge

If you are not signed into your account

Go to the race website:
Click “results”
Click “Submit virtual results”
Look up a participant by first name/last name OR by email/DOB
You will be directed to authorize results by either entering the email or last four digits of the phone number were use when the participant first registered

If you receive a locked out message

If a participant gets an error that says they are locked out, it means that they have set up their RunSignup account so that they can only log miles when they are logged in. i.e.: cannot log miles by following the steps of #2
They will need to log in through one of the ways in #1, and get to their mileage log page.
From there, they can unclick the box that says “Only allow me to post results when logged in as…”

Once a participant has accessed their mileage log for the first time, it is highly recommended that the page be bookmarked for easy access over the coming months. You can learn how to add a website bookmark to your phone’s home screen for Android or iPhone.

Hoosier Holiday Challenge Social Media Toolkit

The journey through the holiday season begins and ends in Indiana! Conquer your fitness goals, maximize your motivation, and give back with the 500 Festival’s newest virtual fitness challenge – the Hoosier Holiday Challenge, presented by Khamis Fine Jewelers, benefitting Gleaners! You’ve accepted a major challenge, now let the world know it! Our social media toolkit is … Continue reading “Hoosier Holiday Challenge Social Media Toolkit”

The journey through the holiday season begins and ends in Indiana! Conquer your fitness goals, maximize your motivation, and give back with the 500 Festival’s newest virtual fitness challenge – the Hoosier Holiday Challenge, presented by Khamis Fine Jewelers, benefitting Gleaners! You’ve accepted a major challenge, now let the world know it! Our social media toolkit is filled with resources to help you promote your challenge and stay motivated on your goal.

Click here to access our library of images you can post on your social media channels

How to download social media shareables from Dropbox
1. Click the link to the Dropbox folder filled with images (you do not need a dropbox account)
2. Select the photo you want to download
3. Right click the photo OR click the three dots button
4. Select “save photo as” or download

How to add a frame to your Facebook profile pic
1. Go to Facebook.com/profilepicframes
2. Search for “2020 Hoosier Holiday Challenge” or “2020 Round Trip Challenge”
3. Select the frame and reposition your photo if necessary
4. Select the time you would like for it to remain your profile pic
5. Push “Use As My Profile Pic”

Don’t forget to join the participant Facebook group and share your journey on social media using #HoosierHoliday!

Mastering the Miles

Meet the Masters Walkers! This paw-some Challenge Team is taking on the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, presented by Clif Bar, benefitting the 500 Festival, with some furry friends. Five years ago, this group of women met in a dog training class. Their friendship blossomed over a shared love of dogs, wine and good food. After … Continue reading “Mastering the Miles”

The group began walking together in March as a way to do something social, while also staying distant and safe. When the group heard about the #IndyVirtualChallenge, they decided it would keep them even more accountable and consistent. Each day, they continue to motivate each other and encourage each other to challenge themselves to increase their distance. They continue to work toward their goal despite the summertime rain, heat and humidity. Some walks are shorter than others, but miles are miles! Unfortunately, one member injured her foot and has been temporarily unable to walk. However, the Masters Walkers are such wonderful friends that the rest of the group are walking her dogs until she can return.

For the Masters Walkers, the best part of the #IndyVirtualChallenge has been their continued comradery. The women all find things to enjoy with each walk. The group has become especially adept at spotting wildlife on their walks. Eagles, deer, foxes, rabits, and geese- the Masters Walkers have seen it all! Another way this group keeps their walks exciting is by choosing a new place to walk and explore on the weekends. The dogs have even come to grow a friendship of their own, stopping to wait on the slower pups or running to greet their friends.

During a time when social interaction can be difficult, the #IndyVirtualChallenge has given the Masters Walkers and their dogs a way to stay connected, be physically active, and have some fun!

Registration for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, presented by Clif Bar, benefiting the 500 Festival, is now open. Move your body, crush your goals, and conquer 500 miles with us!

Complete a dog walking activity this week and earn this paw-some virtual badge!

Indy 500 Mile Challenge Badges

Your miles deserve to be celebrated! Indy 500 Mile Challenge participants receive badges as they hit certain distances or submit certain activities. Distance badges, 500 Mile Challenge: 5 Miles 1 Miles 104 Miles 270 Miles 500 Miles Distance badges, 100 Mile Challenge: 5 Miles 1 Miles 100 Miles Activity badges, accrued after 2 miles … Continue reading “Indy 500 Mile Challenge Badges”

Your miles deserve to be celebrated! Indy 500 Mile Challenge participants receive badges as they hit certain distances or submit certain activities.

Distance badges, 500 Mile Challenge:

5 Miles
1 Miles
104 Miles
270 Miles
500 Miles

Distance badges, 100 Mile Challenge:

5 Miles
1 Miles
100 Miles

Activity badges, accrued after 2 miles of activity is submitted:

Walk
Run
Bike
Swim
Hike
Pedometer
Exercise Class
500 Festival Virtual Race

Participants can view their badges inside their personal trophy case. How to access:

Search your name on the results page: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/91307Make sure you’re searching under your event – 100 or 500 Mile Challenge. You can select the event from the drop down.

On your personal results, you can view your current badges. If you have received more than 2, you can use the arrows to scroll and see others.

You can click “trophy case” to see all badges you have received, and how many you have left!

Register for the #IndyVirtualChallenge and start earning your virtual badges today! Visit indymini.com/500miles to get started.