INDIANAPOLIS (January 27, 2010) -- While the field for the 34th running of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon reached its 35,000 entry limit on December 14, 2009, the 500 Festival announced that additional athletes will once again be joining the field. Two special remote versions of the 2010 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon will take place in Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan and Joint Base Balad, Iraq in May. Nearly 1,400 troops will participate in the events.
The remote Mini-Marathon is designed for troops who would like to participate but are unable, due to their tour of duty overseas. In 2004, the 500 Festival responded to a request from the Indiana National Guard's 38th Infantry Division to stage a remote Mini-Marathon in Bosnia. The race was successful with more than 500 participants who received everything from finisher's medals to new socks for the race, courtesy of Mini-Marathon sponsors. Since that time, remote Mini-Marathon's have taken place in Afghanistan, Baghdad, Balad and Kuwait.
"Holding the remote Mini has become our way of saying thank you," said Kirk Hendrix, President and CEO of the 500 Festival. "Much of success of the Mini-Marathon and other Festival events and programs is due to the support and volunteerism we receive each year from our Indiana troops. Hosting these events in Afghanistan and Iraq is just a small way for us to pay them back."
Troops participating in the remote version of the Mini-Marathon will have many of the same amenities as participants in Indianapolis on May 8 will have. Entries for the participants are being provided courtesy of 500 Festival Mini-Marathon sponsors including OneAmerica, Finish Line, Marsh, St. Francis and Subway. The 500 Festival is also providing a Mini-Marathon kit which will include an official start line banner, finishers medals, Gatorade, Mini-Marathon participant t-shirts and goodie bags courtesy of Mini-Marathon sponsors.
Questions concerning the Indiana National Guard should be directed to the State Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Col. Deedra Thombleson, (317) 247-3222. Media inquiries concerning the 2010 500 Festival OneAmerica Mini-Marathon should be directed to 500 Festival Communications Manager, Brandi Davis-Handy, (317) 614-6128. Additional information about the 2010 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon can be found by going to www.500festival.com.
The mission of the 500 Festival is to advocate and celebrate the spirit, heritage and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®. Through social, cultural and educational events and programs, the 500 Festival enhances the quality of life for all citizens of our communities.
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 53 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.
Last year, over 500,000 Hoosiers and visitors participated in nearly 50 events and programs 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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