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March 21st, 2001

Final Deadline is Near for This Yearıs
Indianapolis Life 500 Festival
Mini-Marathon and 500 Festival 5K

Contact: Kathy Messick & Sarah McAdams
317.262.8080

PDF VERSION OF RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS - Runners and walkers who plan to participate in this year's Indianapolis Life 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and 500 Festival 5K have only two more weeks to register for the race.

The registration deadline is Friday, April 6, 2001, or until a full field of 25,000 is registered for the mini and a full field of 3,000 is registered for the 5K. Registration fees for the mini and 5K are $40 and $25, respectively.

500 Festival organizers say this year's 25th anniversary event is one participants and fans will not want to miss.

"In celebration of the mini's silver anniversary we are anticipating a full field of participants," said Don Carr, 500 Festival Mini-Marathon race director. "We have far surpassed the number of registered participants in comparison to this same time last year, so I encourage folks to register as soon as possible to ensure their spot in the race."

This year's mini-marathon weekend will kick off at the Indiana Convention Center on Thursday, May 3, with the 500 Festival Mini Expo and Packet Pickup presented by Finish Line and will continue with the Red Gold Champions Pasta Dinner on May 4, where the 500 Festival will honor members of the 25th Running Club, a group of athletes who have participated in each mini since 1977; and past mini champions, including Frank Shorter, Olympic gold medalist and winner of the first 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

500 FESTIVAL MINI MARATHON AND 5K DEADLINE - ADD ONE Those interested in participating in the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon or 5K can register online at the 500 Festival Web site, www.500festival.com, or pick-up an application at any Marsh Supermarket or Finish Line store.

From April 2-April 6, participants can also register, or drop off their completed registration forms, at the City Market in downtown Indianapolis. Mini-marathon volunteers will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to take registrations and sell official training T-shirts, commemorative 25th-running ChampionChips and tickets to the Red Gold Champions Pasta Dinner.

The nation's largest half marathon, the Indianapolis Life 500 Festival Mini-Marathon was recently ranked by USA Track and Field as the nation's 10th -largest foot race.

The 500 Festival was created in 1957 to organize civic events celebrating the Indianapolis 500. It is a not-for-profit organization supported by corporate sponsorships, memberships and ticket sales. Thousands of volunteers help produce 500 Festival events. With annual participation of more than 400,000 people from around Indiana and the world, it has grown to be one of the largest festivals in the nation.

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