500 Festival Mini-Marathon

The 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of the largest and most storied half marathons in the United States, run each May in Indianapolis, Indiana as the signature running event of the city's month-long 500 Festival celebration leading up to the Indianapolis 500. First held in 1977 and an official 500 Festival event since 1979, the race has grown into the country's largest half marathon, drawing more than 20,000 runners, walkers, and wheelchair participants from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries each year. It has been named 'America's Best Half Marathon' by USA Today's 10Best readers for four consecutive years and is included among Runner's World's 'Most Iconic American Races.' The event's title sponsorship has shifted over the years, most recently from OneAmerica Financial to IU Health beginning with the 2027 race; OneAmerica remains a supporting sponsor. The flat and fast, USATF-certified 13.1-mile course starts in downtown Indianapolis and heads west toward Speedway, Indiana, where runners complete a signature 2.5-mile lap inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the tradition of kneeling to kiss the Yard of Bricks at the start/finish line of the famed oval. The course then returns downtown to the finish, passing nearly 50 entertainment groups and thousands of spectators along the way. Finishers enjoy a free post-race party with food, massages, and live entertainment, and can bundle their entry with the same-morning Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K or the multi-race Miler Series leading up to race weekend. The 2027 edition marks the 51st running of the Mini-Marathon.