2,100 participants registered to date

INDIANAPOLIS (January 19, 2012) – Online registration for the 500 Festival Training Series, presented by OrthoIndy is open, and so far more than 2,100 people have registered to participate in the 5K, 10K and 15K events. Pre-registration is available online at www.500festival.com. The first Training Series event is the 5K, which is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.

The 500 Festival Training Series is the only official training program for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, which will take place on May 5, 2012. Training Series dates for 2012 are February 11 (5K), March 3 (10K) and April 7 (15K). At each of these events, participants will run on part of the actual Mini-Marathon course and use the bib timing and scoring device that will be used at the Mini-Marathon. The official Training Series, consisting of three events, is designed to allow participants the opportunity to gauge their progress in preparation for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. The three Training Series events gradually increase in distance to coincide with a typical training program’s schedule. All Training Series events start and finish at the NCAA Hall of Champions in downtown Indianapolis. The 500 Festival Training Series is open to the public. Participants do not need to be registered for the Mini-Marathon to enter.

Online registration at www.500festival.com will end eight days prior to each event. The pre-registration cost is $12 (5K), $14 (10K) and $16 (15K). On-site registration is available for an additional $4 fee and begins 90 minutes before the event. Participants can register for all three events for a pre-registration fee of $36, or they can register on-site for $48. Participants who register for all three events will receive two complimentary tickets to the NCAA Hall of Champions that will be valid throughout 2012.

Race officials may cancel, delay or change the run in case of extreme weather or other conditions that may affect the safety and health of the participants. In the event of cancellation, the 500 Festival Communications Department will notify local media of such changes. Please tune in to WISH-TV or listen to WFMS 95.5, WJJK 104.5 or WWFT i94 for updates on the status of the event. In the event of a cancellation, refunds will not be issued.

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and Finish Line 500 Festival 5K

Less than 1,000 spots remain for the 2012 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 5, 2012. The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sponsored by OneAmerica, Finish Line, Franciscan St. Francis Health and Marsh. Nearly 2,500 people have registered for the Finish Line 500 Festival 5K. Registration will close when the maximum field of 4,000 is reached.

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 55 years, the 500 Festival has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the nation.

Last year, more than 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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