OneAmerica 500 Festival Remote Mini-Marathon

The remote Mini-Marathon is designed for troops who would like to participate but are unable, due to their tour of duty overseas.  In 2004, the 500 Festival responded to a request from the Indiana National Guard’s 38^th Infantry Division to stage a remote Mini-Marathon in Bosnia. The race was successful with more than 500 participants who received everything from finisher’s medals to new socks for the race, courtesy of Mini-Marathon sponsors.  In 2005 the 500 Festival again staged a remote Mini-Marathon in Afghanistan under the auspices of the 76^th Brigade Combat Team.  In 2007, the Indiana National Guard’s 38^th Division Support Command participated in Baghdad.   In 2008, over 800 soldiers from the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed at LSA Anaconda/Balad Air Force Base took part in a remote version of the Mini-Marathon.  This year Indiana National Guardsmen  are pariticpating in two versions of the Mini-Marathon remote.  The remote races are taking place in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

In 2009, the announcer of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon became the first ever host of a remote Mini-Marathon.  Veteran race announcer and two-time Olympic coach, Rob Powers was in  Kuwait on Monday, April 27 and provided support for the remote version of the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Powers is a former member of the United States Army and Air Force and currently resides in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 

Troops participating in the remote version of the Mini-Marathon have many of the same amenities as participants in Indianapolis.  Entries for the participants areprovided courtesy of 500 Festival Mini-Marathon sponsors including OneAmerica, Finish Line, Marsh, St. Francis and Subway.  The 500 Festival is also providing a Mini-Marathon kit which will include an official start line banner, finishers medals, Gatorade, Mini-Marathon participant t-shirts and goodie bags courtesy of Mini-Marathon sponsors.