500 Festival Mini-Marathon
The 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is an annual road half marathon usually held the first Saturday in May in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
Mini-marathon runners reaching the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2018.
Runners at the 2 mile mark in the 2024 500 Festival Mini-Marathon
Indianapolis 500 traditions
Due to the longevity of the Indianapolis 500, numerous traditions surrounding the race have developed over the years. Traditions include procedures for the running of the race, scheduling, and pre-race and post-race festivities. For many fans, these traditions are an important aspect of the race, and they have often reacted quite negatively when the traditions are changed or broken.
Jim Nabors performed "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the start of the race nearly every year from 1972 to 2014.
2011 Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon celebrating with a bottle of milk in victory lane.
Hélio Castroneves makes his pole-winning qualification run in 2007 during "Happy Hour". Note the shadows cast on the racing surface.
Scoring pylon at the close of pole day qualifications in 2009.