500 Festival Launches Indianapolis 500 Mile Virtual Challenge

June 15, 2020

New virtual fitness challenge leverages value of Indy 500, IMS to encourage an active lifestyle by completing 500 miles of physical activity before the end of 2020

INDIANAPOLIS (June 15, 2020) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announces the launch of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, benefitting the 500 Festival. The Indy 500 Mile Challenge is a virtual program where participants will complete 500 miles of physical activity between June 22, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020. Participants also have the option to complete 100 miles of physical activity in the Indianapolis Freedom 100 Mile Challenge. Registration for the inaugural Indy 500 Mile Challenge is now open at IndyMini.com/500Miles and the program will close after 8,000 participants have signed up.

The Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge and Freedom 100 Mile Challenge will kick off on Monday, June 22, 2020. To complete the challenge, participants will complete either 500 miles or 100 miles by Dec. 31, 2020. Mileage can be completed in a number of ways, such as running, walking, wheelchair, swimming, cycling, fitness classes and more. Mileage will be logged online and participants can track their progress and see where they stack up against others who are part of the virtual challenge. Mileage can be completed on your own or you can create a team with your friends and family so you can encourage each other along the way.

Participants can register for the first-ever Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge and Freedom 100 Mileage Challenge starting Monday, June 15, 2020 and it is limited to the first 8,000 registered participants. A preview of the participant shirt and finisher medal is available HERE.

Registration for both challenges is $60 and all participants will receive:

• Challenge specific participant shirt
• Challenge specific finisher medal
• Challenge specific hat
• Challenge specific commemorative pin
• Customizable challenge bib
• Customizable finisher certificate
• Access to participant resources
• Invitation to participant-only private Facebook group
• The first 500 registered participants for the Indy 500 Mile Challenge will receive a one-of-a-kind First 500 shirt

“The 500 Mile Challenge and 100 Mile Challenge were created to encourage participants to be active and have an active lifestyle year-round. We are leveraging the value of the Indy 500 and IMS to provide everyone with a memorable experience that’s set amongst the backdrop of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “This online exercise motivation program will give people the platform to showcase their significant milestones and fitness journeys, as well as sharing encouragement to others partaking in the challenge.”

“We are proud to support the 500 Festival with this new virtual experience – the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge. This is a unique way for athletes from around the world to challenge themselves to commit to a fitness routine and complete the same race distance that so many IndyCar legends have done during ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ the Indianapolis 500,” said J. Douglas Boles, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

To register or learn more about the Indianapolis 500 Mile Challenge, benefitting the 500 Festival, visit www.IndyMini.com/500Miles or search #IndyVirtualChallenge on social media.

About the 500 Festival

Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and foster positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $500 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit www.500festival.com, follow us on Twitter @500festival, or on Facebook.

###