Participant Safety

Participant Safety is Our Number One Concern

The 500 Festival strives to make the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon the safest event of its type. However, events do occur that are outside of the control of the 500 Festival. Examples of these types of events include weather emergencies (severe thunderstorms or tornadoes) and public emergencies (fires or automobile accidents).

If a weather emergency occurs, staff and volunteers along the course will immediately begin notifying the participants. This notification will consist of changing the flags at the mile markers, verbal notification at pit areas and mile markers, and through the use of the Emergency Management weather alerting sirens. If a severe weather emergency does occur, you should seek emergency shelter immediately along the course and stay in that area until the weather situation passes.

In the event of a public emergency along the race course, you should follow the directions provided by public safety officials and race staff and volunteers. In rare instances, it may be necessary to either close the racecourse or reroute the participants due to the emergency. If this occurs, it is being done for the safety of the participants.

The 500 Festival reserves the right to cancel, delay or change the race to a non-scored run in case of extreme weather or other conditions affecting the safety of the participants. A flag system will be used along the course (at mile markers) to alert you to weather conditions.

Please remember that safety is our primary concern. No refunds and the race will not be rescheduled if it is shortened or cancelled for any reason.

FLAG WARNING SYSTEM:  There will be a simple flag color system along the course to help warn participants of weather related or course related problems. Flags are located at each mile marker along the course. Please be aware of the following flags: