500 Festival Mini-Marathon

The 500 Festival Mini-Marathon returns to Downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, May 8, 2027. It's the largest half-marathon in the United States, and the course is a bit of a local landmark in its own right. You start with a 2.5-mile lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which includes a stop at the Yard of Bricks, before heading out toward downtown sights with entertainment and volunteers stationed along the way. It's a 13.1-mile run that takes you from the track into the city.

The race is part of The Greatest Spectacle in Running®, put on by the 500 Festival, a nonprofit that celebrates the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500 through community events throughout May. It's an iconic half-marathon with a broad reach: US Today's 10Best named it "America's Best Half Marathon," and Runners World listed it as one of "America's Most Iconic Races," drawing participants from all 50 states and more than 16 countries. When you cross the finish line, there's a free post-race party with an entertainment stage, free massages, and a bottle of chocolate milk at the American Dairy Association Refuel & Rejuvenation Area.

If the half-marathon is more than you're looking for, there are other distances in the mix. The 5K is 3.1 miles, and the Miler Series offers 3, 6, and 10-mile options. For those wanting more, the Mega Mini Challenge adds up to 16.2 miles, the Mini Maniac Challenge goes to 32.1, and the Greatest Spectacle Challenge reaches 35.2. The Mini-Marathon is $105, the 5K is $50, and the Miler Series is $90. The challenges are $175 for the Mega Mini, $215 for the Mini Maniac, and $265 for the Greatest Spectacle, with an 11% processing fee on top.