500 Festival

Ambassador applications are now open! 🎉

Want to foster encouragement, inclusivity, and inspiration within the running/walking community? We have the opportunity for you!

We're seeking a diverse, enthusiastic, and dedicated group of individuals of all abilities to serve as ambassadors for the 2025 ! 🏃🏾‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️🏁

Be a part of a vibrant community that celebrates fitness, fun, and the spirit of running — apply at IndyMini.com/Ambassador today!

Calling all teachers & group organizers! 📣

Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2024-2025 500 Festival KidsFit Program! Get your kids moving all while teaching them how to pursue a healthy lifestyle with our free, customizable program designed for kids in grades K-6.

Learn more and register at 500Festival.com/KidsFitProgram 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏾‍♂️

Today, we pause to remember the brave souls who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The courage, unity, and resilience shown on that day continue to inspire us all.

As we reflect today, we honor the first responders, the heroes who stepped in, and the families whose lives were forever changed. Let us never forget their sacrifices and service. ❤💙🤍

This week and next we are coming to YOUR campus. Check out our schedule below and come visit us to learn more about our programs and internships that are available to you!

Get all your questions answered and explore the different opportunities the 500 Festival has to offer! 🏁

Need an extra push to stay on top of your fitness journey this fall? Our friends at Beyond Monumental have the perfect opportunity for you! 🏃🏾‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️

The 2024 CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K will take place on Saturday, November 9!

Learn more and register today at beyondmonumental.org/events

Elaine has accepted the challenge and has been conquering her miles across several states including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri!

"After several years of being ill I was able to start exercising without pain," and two 5k races later, including the Delta Dental 5k this past May, Elaine shares, "Now I have set my new goal to run in the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon! By joining the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, it keeps me motivated to continue running, biking, and other forms of exercise so I will be ready for May 3, 2025!"

We are so thrilled to see participants like Elaine work toward their fitness goals and use the to stay on top of their training! Awesome job to all our amazing participants 👏🏃‍♂️🏊‍♀️ 🚴‍♂️

Elaine - we can't wait to cheer you on at the on May 3! 🎉

The checkered finish is in sight 🏁 and all of our participants are making strides to finish strong!

500 Mile Challenge participants have collectively conquered over 285,900 miles, and 250 Mile Challenge participants have racked up over 28,600 miles, for a total of over 314,500 miles so far!

Let's hear it for these amazing accomplishments - keep racking up those miles, folks! 👏

It's hot out there, folks! 🌞

This is your friendly reminder to stay hydrated 💦

Looking for a spring semester internship? Our applications are NOW OPEN! ✨

We have a wide range of internship opportunities where you’ll gain valuable professional experience and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into May!

From event operations, marketing, registration and ticketing, and strategic partnerships, there is a place to demonstrate your passions and help put on our exceptional events!

Apply today at https://500festival.com/Intern

Don’t miss the chance for your classrooms to partake in the excitement of the 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 through our FREE Education Program! 🏁

Tag your teacher friends in the comments below to be sure their fourth-grade classrooms are a part of this fun, educational experience 👇

Visit 500festival.com/education to register today!

Today is Women’s Equality Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of women’s rights activists and raise awareness of the unique struggles that women face.

The right to vote now belongs to all citizens — but this wasn’t always the case. Nowadays, it is inspiring to see women not only voting but taking on political roles!

Looking back at this year's Breakfast at the Brickyard, we are so excited and grateful to have female representation among our Indiana mayors! ✨

As we know, the Indianapolis 500 Mile and Gasoline Alley 250 Mile Challenges are in full swing, and all our participants are absolutely crushing their mileage! 🏁

This week, we'd like to highlight an individual who is conquering her miles in such a unique and meaningful way! Melanie is embarking on a where she is raising money in hopes to provide a clean water well to a community in need! 💦

"August is National Water Quality Month, and in an effort to bring awareness to the struggle of millions of women and girls across the globe who walk 6 kilometers each day to fetch dirty water for their families, I’m challenging myself to do the same."

To learn more about Melanie's journey please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Kh3zFfaJTb3jxDtn/

Or visit https://www.charitywater.org/melanie-ladd/well-wishes-for-water to sponsor a day of her !

From the Rookie Run to the Paris Olympics — it’s amazing to see how far Cole Hocker has come from a young runner to an Olympic champion.

Congratulations on bringing home the gold!! 🏅

📷:

Registration The 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health, is NOW OPEN! 🏫

This program takes place during the spring months of the 2024-2025 school year and is free and open to all Indiana fourth-grade classrooms. The program’s curriculum is based on Indiana Academic Standards for language arts, health, math, science, social studies, visual arts, and physical education. 📚

Classrooms will receive student materials, lesson plans, educational videos, and opportunities to participate in essay and classroom contests. Classrooms can even participate in a field trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or a Mobile Trip where the excitement is brought to the school!

Visit 500festival.com/education to register today! 🏁

From his hand in creating the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, to his friendship, support, and ever-present role as the ultimate community connector, we join so many other people and organizations who celebrate the life and legacy of Jim Morris. His compassion, dedication, and heart of service made him a pillar of the community to which we will forever be grateful.

We extend our condolences to his family and everyone at Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

Missing the excitement of May already? Us too! We can't wait to create more unforgettable memories next year and we want YOU to be a part of it all! 🎉

Check out bit.ly/500FestivalNewsletters to sign up for our newsletters, so you don't miss a minute of the fun!

Can't help but reflect on an incredible Month of May! From cheering participants to the finish line at the , to filling the streets with color at the AES 500 Festival Parade, we made so many unforgettable memories together.

Relive some of the best moments with us as we gear up for another amazing year! 🌟

Wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July! ❤🤍💙

As we enjoy fireworks and holiday festivities, let's remember the joy, togetherness, and community spirit that define both the 500 Festival and this special day!

Running into July like... 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏾‍♂️💨

Feels like just yesterday we were watching participants of all ages dash for the finish line — time flies when you're having fun! ✨

Did you know today is National Hug Holiday day?

Of course, the 500 Festival encourages anything that spreads joy, togetherness, and community spirit so be sure to bask in this holiday and hug your loved ones today (and every day)! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💙

Exciting News from the !

We are thrilled to announce a special competition within our challenge: a head-to-head race between our brave service men and women on the USS Indiana and USS Indianapolis! 🚢

Here's how it works: At the end of The Challenge, we'll average the miles completed by the service members on each ship. The team with the higher average will be awarded a commemorative plaque, honoring their dedication and effort!

Let's show our support and cheer them on! Drop some encouragement in the comments below and follow their progress. Every mile counts, so let’s make some noise! 🏆

Today's the day — The Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge and Gasoline Alley 250 Mile Challenge have begun! 🏁

Participants can begin logging their miles now until October 31 — through walking, running, biking, swimming, hiking, kayaking, counting your daily steps, or exercise classes! 🚴‍♂️🏊‍♀️🏋️‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Haven't signed up yet? It's not too late! Register at indymini.com/500miles before June 28.

The starts THIS WEDNESDAY!

Track your miles of physical activity this summer — through walking, running, biking, swimming, hiking, kayaking, counting daily steps, exercise classes — the choice is yours! Join us and conquer either 250 or 500 miles between June 12 and October 31!
🧗‍♀️🚴‍♂️🎾🏃‍♂️

Register and learn more at IndyMini.com/500Miles!

We're proud to partner with AES Indiana to power our community forward! Together, we're making a positive impact on economic development, the arts, poverty reduction, and workforce development in Central Indiana. Check out AES Indiana's latest Community Report to see how our partnership is driving change: https://go.aes.com/3JwDUl2

Mile logging begins June 12 for the - and YOU are invited to take on the ultimate fitness challenge this summer!

Don't hesitate! Register today at IndyMini.com/500Miles and strive to conquer 250 or 500 miles by October 31 - through running, walking, biking, dancing, weightlifting, and more.

🏃‍♀️🏋️‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏊‍♂️

AES Indiana has supported the 500 Festival Parade since its start in 1957, and we are excited to continue our support and power the excitement and momentum of the Indianapolis 500.

This year, our float embodies the theme “All Lanes Lead to Indy” and celebrates the US Olympic Swim Trials, highlighting our city’s central role in this iconic moment, while spotlighting AES’s commitment to sustainability and accelerating the future of energy
together.

Thank you Indiana Sports Corp for collaborating on the AES float this year to promote the U.S Olympic Swim Trials.

Buy tickets to trials now! - https://www.usaswimming.org/utility/landing-pages/olympic-trials-tickets

Registration for the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge and Gasoline Alley 250 Mile Challenge is NOW OPEN! 🏁

This virtual program encourages an active lifestyle beyond the Month of May! Participants complete either 250 or 500 miles of physical activity between June 12, 2024, and October 31, 2024 - and whether you prefer running, walking, biking, swimming, or fitness classes, there are plenty of ways to log your miles and stay active with this challenge! ✨

Check out IndyMini.com/500Miles to learn more and register!

Another moment for that opening production ✨