OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

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The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, which takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the largest half-marathon in the United States, and the eighth-largest running event in America. As of the 32nd running in 2008, it had sold out the entire running field of 35,000 for seven consecutive years. ^[1]

Commonly known as "The Mini," it attracts runners and spectators from all over the United States and the entire world. In 2008, participants came in from all fifty states and eight 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 greatest race in the world, the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. Over the past 51 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 mile 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 2008 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon took place Saturday May 3, 2008. The race resulted in the closest finish ever in the 32-year history of the event: a tie.^[2] Two Kenyan runners, Lamech Mokono and Valentine Orare, were declared co-winners, extending the streak of Kenyan victories to 13. In the women’s race, defending champ Janet Cherobon made it two wins in a row. Tony Iniguez became a three-time champ in the wheelchair division.

Contents 1 Past winners 2 Mini-Marathon Alumni Club 3 Previous names 4 See also 5 External links 6 References

[edit] Past winners

Date	Men's winner	Women's winner
1977	Frank Shorter	Mary Clifford
1978	Bill Rodgers	Miki Gorman
1979	Dean Behrmann	Penny DeMoss
1980	Eric Wood	Lee Ann Frye
1981	John Roscoe	Candy Wojcik
1982	Greg Van Winkle	Marilyn Reinhardt
1983	Gary Romesser	Marilyn Reinhardt
1984	Gary Romesser	Diane Bussa
1985	Gary Romesser	Loir Veal
1986	John Wellerding	Karen McQuilken
1987	John Wellerding	Karen McQuilken
1988	Gary Romesser	Laura Didion
1989	Don Johns	Judy Bogenschutz
1990	Keith Hanson	Ruth Ozmun
1991	Gary Romesser	Chris Cooper
1992	Andy Herr	Becky Reinhold
1993	Joseph Kaino	Trina Painter
May 7, 1994	John Kiposkei	Roselli Machado
May 6, 1995	Rolando Vera	Tatayana Pozdnyakova
May 4, 1996	Andrew Masai	Valentina Yegorova
May 3, 1997	Patrick Kiptum	Valentina Yegorova
May 2, 1998	Joseph Kariuki	Salina Chirchir
May 1, 1999	Daniel Kihara	Ludmilla Petrova
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	Janet Cherobon

[edit] 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

[edit] Previous names

• Indianapolis Life 500 Festival Mini-Marathon (1994-2004)

[edit] See also

• Indianapolis
• Indianapolis 500
• Marathon

[edit] External links

• Official Site
• Indianapolis Star Article about the 2007 Mini

[edit] References

1. ^ "2008 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon sells out with 35,000 entries", 500Festival.com, 2007-11-30. Retrieved on 2008-04-23. 
2. ^ "2008 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon sells out with 35,000 entries", Microchips record closest finish ever in Mini, 2008-05-03. Retrieved on 2008-05-03.