Tony Kanaan, Indy 500 Champion and Beloved INDYCAR Driver, to Participate in the 2020 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

March 9, 2020

Kanaan to Take on Indy Mini Before Embarking on #TKLastLap

INDIANAPOLIS (March 9, 2020) – The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announced that IndyCar driver, INDYCAR Series champion and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner, Tony Kanaan will run the 2020 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 2.

“The month of May is huge in Indianapolis, and the 500 Festival’s community celebrations play a big role in making it an unforgettable experience for drivers and fans,” said Tony Kanaan. “I’m excited to join in on the celebrations by running in America’s best half marathon – the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon. Not only is it a great way to stay physically fit, but gives me another opportunity to connect with fans. I’ve already recruited my wife, Lauren, and several friends to join me on May 2. I hope that fans will feel inspired and commit to join me at this Indy Mini!”

One of IndyCar’s most popular drivers and an Indianapolis resident, Kanaan is no stranger to the Greatest Spectacle in Running. He ran the Indy Mini in 2016, finishing with a time of 1:43.29. In 2017, Kanaan served as the official Pacesetter for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, helping raise thousands of dollars for charity.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tony Kanaan back to the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 2,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “It will be an unforgettable experience for 30,000 participants who will be able to say they raced against INDYCAR legend, Tony Kanaan, at the world-renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

Kanaan recently announced that 2020 will be his final season as a primary INDYCAR driver. He is set to compete in the five oval races of the NTT INDYCAR Series season driving the No. 14 Chevrolet for AJ Foyt Racing. He is scheduled to begin his final campaign which will be called the “TK Last Lap,” with the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 24.

Kanaan has amassed 17 wins, 15 pole positions and 78 podium finishes in his 377 career starts, which rank second all-time only to the 407 starts made by the legendary Mario Andretti. He also is the “Ironman” of the sport, holding the active record for most consecutive starts at 317 that began at Portland International Raceway in 2001.

Those interested in joining Tony Kanaan for the 2020 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon can register online at IndyMini.com/register until April 27. The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the 500 Festival’s largest fundraiser. Race registrations help support the 500 Festival’s free youth programs and events, which impacted 100,000 kids in 2019 alone.

Named the Best Half Marathon in America as well as one of  “America’s Most Iconic Races” by Runners World, the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is one of the nation’s largest half marathons (for the past 20 years) and annually attracts participants from all 50 states and 15+ countries around the world. Known as The Greatest Spectacle in Running, the race starts and finishes in downtown Indianapolis and includes a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home of the Indy 500. The flat, fast course is packed with thousands of the nicest volunteers you’ll ever meet, 16 course aid stations and nearly 500 course entertainers. The start and finish lines are within walking distance of downtown Indy’s hotels, restaurants, shopping, and other attractions.

New in 2020, participants will experience two iconic sports venues as the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Expo will be held on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. The 2020 Indy Mini participant shirt and finisher medal are sure to please as it bridges together history and tradition with progress and innovation. As participants cross the finish line, they will be handed a commemorative medal that pays tribute to the Hulman-George legacy while celebrating their accomplishment.

The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sponsored by OneAmerica, Delta Dental, Franciscan Health, Genesys, and Meijer. The Mini-Marathon will be broadcast to the Indianapolis market on WTHR, Channel 13. To register for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, or to learn more, visit www.indymini.com/register or search #IndyMini on social media.

Kanaan will be promoting the hashtag “TKLastLap” during the course of the 2020 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, which opens Sunday, March 15 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. For announcements and updates on Kanaan’s next steps, be sure to follow his social media channels – @tkanaan on Instagram and @tonykanaan on Twitter and Facebook.

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 programsthat 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.

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