2027 500 Festival Running Events

The IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, a 13.1-mile race in Indianapolis held in early May, is the focus of the 500 Festival Running Events. Over 20,000 participants, including runners, joggers, walkers, and wheelchair racers, gather downtown for a flat, fast half marathon that coincides with the city’s Month of May activities leading up to the Indy 500. The race begins downtown, with each wave starting behind an IndyCar, and includes a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Many participants pause at the Yard of Bricks to kiss the bricks, adopting a well-known auto racing tradition. The large field includes a variety of participants: competitive runners, first-time racers, walkers, wheelchair athletes, thousands of volunteers, and nearly 100 entertainment groups along the course. Runner’s World has recognized it as one of America’s Most Iconic Races and it has been among the nation’s largest half marathons for over two decades.