OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Encyclopedia
The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, which takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana
, is the largest half-marathon
in the United States
, and the seventh-largest running event in America. As of the 35th running in 2011, it had sold out the entire running field of 35,000 for nine consecutive years.
Commonly known as "The Mini," it attracts runners and spectators from all over the United States and the entire world. In 2011, participants came in from all fifty states and nine countries. The race includes a men’s and women’s running division, as well as men's and women's wheelchair entries. The Finish Line 500 Festival 5K, a shorter version of the Mini utilizing the same start and finish lines, runs the same day.
The Mini-Marathon began in 1977 and became an official 500 Festival event in 1979. The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race
. Over the past 55 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation. The Mini-Marathon is one of the first events of the month-long celebration, running the day before IndyCar Series
practice opens at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
.
The 13.1 miles (21.1 km) course currently starts in downtown Indianapolis
, includes city streets and a full loop around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
, then returns to finish in the downtown area. From 1977-1992, the race was held the Friday before the Indianapolis 500 (part of Memorial Day
weekend). Starting in 1993, the race was moved to the first weekend in May.
The men's record for the Mini is 1:01.54 set in 2002 by Gabriel Muchiri. The women's record was set in 2003 by Albina Ivanova with a time of 1:11.24.
The 2011 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon took place Saturday May 7, 2011. A pair of newcomers brought home the men’s and women’s titles in the 2011 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis. Moroccan Ridouane Harroufi took the men’s race, winning in 1:02.45, while Everlyne Lagat of Kenya captured the women’s race with a time of 1:11:29, snapping the four-year win streak of fellow Kenyan Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, who took second. Adam Bleakney of Champaign, Ill., took advantage of the ideal conditions to win the wheelchair race with a blistering time of: 49.18. The 2006 winner of the same race, Bleakney, a member of the 2008 U.S. Paralympics teams, was competing in Indianapolis for the first time since his previous win.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, is the largest half-marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and the seventh-largest running event in America. As of the 35th running in 2011, it had sold out the entire running field of 35,000 for nine consecutive years.
Commonly known as "The Mini," it attracts runners and spectators from all over the United States and the entire world. In 2011, participants came in from all fifty states and nine countries. The race includes a men’s and women’s running division, as well as men's and women's wheelchair entries. The Finish Line 500 Festival 5K, a shorter version of the Mini utilizing the same start and finish lines, runs the same day.
The Mini-Marathon began in 1977 and became an official 500 Festival event in 1979. The 500 Festival, a not-for-profit volunteer organization, was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
. Over the past 55 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation. The Mini-Marathon is one of the first events of the month-long celebration, running the day before IndyCar Series
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
practice opens at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
.
The 13.1 miles (21.1 km) course currently starts in downtown Indianapolis
Downtown Indianapolis
The term Downtown Indianapolis refers to the central business district of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. The boundaries of downtown Indianapolis have varied over time as the city has grown. The city's original platted area, the Mile Square, is sometimes used to denote the downtown area...
, includes city streets and a full loop around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
, then returns to finish in the downtown area. From 1977-1992, the race was held the Friday before the Indianapolis 500 (part of Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend). Starting in 1993, the race was moved to the first weekend in May.
The men's record for the Mini is 1:01.54 set in 2002 by Gabriel Muchiri. The women's record was set in 2003 by Albina Ivanova with a time of 1:11.24.
The 2011 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon took place Saturday May 7, 2011. A pair of newcomers brought home the men’s and women’s titles in the 2011 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis. Moroccan Ridouane Harroufi took the men’s race, winning in 1:02.45, while Everlyne Lagat of Kenya captured the women’s race with a time of 1:11:29, snapping the four-year win streak of fellow Kenyan Janet Cherobon-Bawcom, who took second. Adam Bleakney of Champaign, Ill., took advantage of the ideal conditions to win the wheelchair race with a blistering time of: 49.18. The 2006 winner of the same race, Bleakney, a member of the 2008 U.S. Paralympics teams, was competing in Indianapolis for the first time since his previous win.
Past winners
| Date | Men's winner | Time | Women's winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Frank Shorter | 1:03:56 | Mary Clifford | |
| 1978 | Bill Rodgers | 1:03:xx | Miki Gorman | 1:20:56 |
| 1979 | Dean Behrmann | 1:09:17 | Penny DeMoss | 1:28:40 |
| 1980 | Eric Wood | 1:08:55 | Lee Ann Frye | 1:19:58 |
| 1981 | John Roscoe | 1:06:20 | Candy Wojcik | 1:28:30 |
| 1982 | Greg Van Winkle | 1:07:15 | Marilyn Reinhardt | 1:23:51 |
| 1983 | Gary Romesser | 1:05:52 | Marilyn Reinhardt | 1:23:55 |
| 1984 | Gary Romesser | 1:09:11 | Diane Bussa | 1:18:59 |
| 1985 | Gary Romesser | 1:07:06 | Loir Veal | 1:19:20 |
| 1986 | John Wellerding | 1:05:48 | Karen McQuilken | 1:18:02 |
| 1987 | James Nolan | 1:08:12 | Karen McQuilken | 1:19:32 |
| 1988 | Gary Romesser | 1:08:33 | Laura Didion | 1:20:27 |
| 1989 | Don Johns | 1:07:31 | Judy Bogenschutz | 1:17:59 |
| 1990 | Keith Hanson | 1:04:13 | Ruth Ozmun | 1:18:17 |
| 1991 | Gary Romesser | 1:08:24 | Chris Cooper | 1:21:17 |
| 1992 | Andy Herr | 1:07:44 | Becky Reinhold | 1:20:30 |
| 1993 | Joseph Kaino | 1:03:10 | Trina Painter | 1:12:19 |
| May 7, 1994 | John Kiposkei | 1:03:14 | Roselli Machado | 1:13:42 |
| May 6, 1995 | Rolando Vera | 1:02:07 | Tatayana Pozdnyakova | |
| May 4, 1996 | Andrew Masai | 1:02:57 | Valentina Yegorova | 1:13:00 |
| May 3, 1997 | Patrick Kiptum | 1:01:56 | Valentina Yegorova | 1:13:50 |
| May 2, 1998 | Joseph Kariuki | Salina Chirchir | 1:14:32 | |
| May 1, 1999 | Daniel Kihara | 1:03:48 | Ludmilla Petrova | 1:14:12 |
| May 6, 2000 | Philip Kemei | Lidia Grigoryeva | ||
| May 5, 2001 | Simon Rono | Elena Paramonova | ||
| May 4, 2002 | Gabriel Muchiri | Jackline Torori | ||
| May 3, 2003 | Joseph Kariuki | Albina Ivanova | ||
| May 8, 2004 | Reuben Chebii | Albina Ivanova | ||
| May 7, 2005 | Wesley Ochoro | Albina Ivanova | ||
| May 6, 2006 | Ben Kimondiu | Lucie Mays-Sulewski | ||
| May 5, 2007 | Joseph Chirlee | Janet Cherobon | ||
| May 3, 2008 | Lanech Mokono Valentine Orare |
1:02:53 | Janet Cherobon | 1:14:53 |
| May 2, 2009 | Festus Langat | 1:03:55 | Janet Cherobon | 1:12:22 |
| May 8, 2010 | Festus Langat | 1:02:51 | Janet Cherobon | 1:10:59 |
| May 7, 2011 | Ridouane Harroufi | 1:02:46 | Everlyne Lagat | 1:11:29 |
Mini-Marathon Alumni Club
Fourteen athletes have participated in the Mini every year of its existence. Those runners are:- Jerry Bates
- Eugene Lausch
- Michael Vollmer
- Bil Carter
- Leonard Outcalt
- John Webb
- Terry Hannigan
- Lee Perkinson
- Melvin White
- John Hostetter
- Michael Priest
- Bill Wilham
- Jim Kirkwood
- Alva Such