500 Festival early registrations ends on November 30
INDIANAPOLIS (October 31, 2008) – While registration for the OneAmerica 500 Festival-Mini Marathon is on record pace – about 1,000 people ahead of last year’s count at this time – the 500 Festival announced today that it will extend its early-registration rate through November. The early registration fee of $50 was set to expire November 1. The 500 Festival will now allow participants to register at that same rate through November 30. Beginning December 1, the registration fee reverts to its regular rate of $70.
Already, a record 22,000 people have registered for the May 2, 2009 event. Registrations are considerably ahead of last year’s pace when the race sold out on November 30. The field will again be capped at 35,000.
The Finish Line 500 Festival 5k has also zoomed ahead of last year’s registration pace by nearly 10 percent. Already, 1,100 have registered. The early registration fee of $25 for the 5K will also be extended to November 30. The registration fee is $30 November 31 through March 31. Registration will close on the date the maximum field of 4,000 is reached.
“People need a break in stressful times,” said Kirk Hendrix, President & CEO of the 500 Festival. “This is our way of accommodating our loyal customers.”
Participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible in order to be included in the field. Online registration is available for both the 2009 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K by going to www.500festival.com
Registration is also open for the 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy. Returning for its ninth year the Training Series provides runners and walkers the opportunity to gauge their training progression for the Mini-Marathon. Training Series dates include: Feb. 7 (5K; 8:30 a.m.), March 7 (10K; 8 a.m.) and April 4 (15K; 8 a.m.). Registration is available online at www.500festival.com. All Training Series events will start and end at the Indiana State Museum located in White River State Park.
The mission of the 500 Festival is to produce events and programs that celebrate the success of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Indiana and their guests. These events and programs, produced largely by volunteers, enhance the image of our city and state by showcasing our cultural, educational, and social benefits to the world.
The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the greatest race in the world. Over the past 52 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.
Last year, nearly 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in festival activities throughout the month of May. Whether they were athletes running the Mini, fourth grade students participating in the Education Program, families enjoying the state's largest festival for kids or spectators being dazzled by one of the nation's premier parades, they were there, celebrating the legacy.
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