My Interstate Mini/Minnie "Goofy"

[WDWFAN9]

OK, I am going to try this again....last night I had a very detailed TR go poof!

I had an absolutely fabulous weekend! On Friday DH and I headed to Indianapolis (from the Chicago area) for the Festival 500 Mini-marathon. It is the largest half-marathon in the USA, with 35,000 registered participants. All I can say it WOW

We stayed at the Hyatt right in downtown Indy, and walked the skyway to the convention center since the weather was getting a little stormy. The expo was very organized and we quickly picked up our race packets and then explored the various displays. After that we walked the skyway to the mall and grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading back to the hotel for an early night.

One of the neatest things in the morning - we walked out the hotel door Saturday morning, crossed the sidewalk, and entered our corral. How cool is that?? We were in corral X.

Here is the view behind us, corrals Y and Z:

This is an official photo taken before the start of the race:

It took us nearly 27 minutes to cross the start line! But amazingly it did not feel overwhelmingly congested. I was really surprised by that....yes it was pretty solid, but the course never narrowed so there was some room to move. I knew it was going to be a fun race when there were 4 live bands before the first mile marker!

 

[monte]

Holy moly Pat, how many people participated?? I tried locating you in the crowd, but didn't see a lime green shirt anywhere.

 

[WDWFAN9]

The weather was great, so much better than the predicted t-storms and cold. It was clear and actually got to feeling a little warm by the end of the race. Jim and I just kept moving, enjoying the sights and sounds. Water stops were plentiful and well-stocked and manned. Not only was the amount of entertainment amazing, so was its diversity - there was everything from a bagpiper, to high school garage bands, old geezer rockers, a jazz band, a polka band, a bluegrass band, rappers, a square dancing group, countrywestern line dancers, and probably some I have forgotten. I'm not sure how the race organizers did it, but as we went through neighborhoods the people were outside cheering and ringing bells like we used in Disney. It was really cool.

One of the highlights of the course is the lap around the Indy Speedway:

Jim's a Nascar fan, so he really enjoyed being able to get on the racetrack. As we entered the track we passed a group of firefighters walking in their full gear, including oxygen tanks and face masks. I don't know if it was some sort of initiation or a training session, but wow! I can't imagine walking across a room wearing all that gear, much less attempting a half!

After leaving the Speedway, we headed back towards downtown Indy. We went through some more neighborhoods and past a biker bar. Afterwards Jim found out that if you asked they'd give you a beer. Darn! Here is the view as we approached downtown:

Even at this point there were still a lot of people nearby, but since the roads were so wide it didn't feel uncomfortably crowded.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Jim and I finished the Indy half in 3:21:51, which is my second fastest half ever! Yes, I know I am slow Here I am wearing my medal at the finishers

I had a great time doing this race. I can see why it is so highly regarded by RW and why they sell out year after year. It was very organized and a lot of fun! It is also very walker friendly - the four hour timelimit begins after the last person crosses the start. The medal is shaped like an Indy car, and I believe the design changes every year. Almost forgot to mention - your bib has a tearoff admission to the Sunday Indy practice!

After we checked out the finishers area we headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up, and then I was ready to begin the second portion of my Mini/Minnie adventure. I headed to the airport (only a 10 minute taxi ride from my hotel) to catch a plane to Orlando!



I would definitely recommend this race to WISHers. I think with the active.com registration fees it cost us $52.88 each. It does sell out every year, historically by the preceding Nov. So if you want to do this one don't wait too long. Next year's race is May 2nd.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Good going on part one of your mini Minnie. Amazing pics and event.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Very cool Pat! Thanks for sharing!!

Becky

 

[hoosmi]

Very cool report! I may have to put that one on my list of future possible races...

(Love the medal and the ribbon!)

Jen in GA

 

[suzannews]

What an amazing pic of the start of the race. Maybe someday I will be able to work myself up to something like that!!! Congrats.

 

[hockeygirl]

Pat--love the race report from Indy!! I think I am going to register for that race next year. My Dad lives in Indy, so it would be a trip to see Dad and a chance to run the race. I am a big Nascar fan, so running a lap on the speedway would be awesome!!!!

Thanks again for the report!!!!

 

[Kristi1357]

Awesome, Pat!

 

[wtpclc]

Geat report adn congratulations Pat! Love the bling!

 

[AmyBWV99]

Pat - we were at Indy too! I was in corral S and DH was in corral A. It was definately a sight to behold. He said from up there (in corral A) it was just like any other race - not congested at all.

It was my first half and I finished in 2:18 - I was happy given that I had little time to train. DH set a PR, but missed his goal time. He finished in 1:21 and 137th overall. If you fininsh in the top 500 you get a second medal that states you're a member of the '500 Club'.

We're planning to head back next year and run it again.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Okay, I would just like to say that I am EXTREMELY jealous. My life right now revolves around Indy Car season....I even ditched my boyfriend just because there was a race on TV and I didn't want to leave!! The chance to run on the track seems like heaven on earth to me. And to actually see a practice........!!!!! Of course, IMHO, Indy speedway should be for Indy racing league, not that other form of racing I refuse to acknowledge. But that's just my two cents worth.

P.S. I <3 Marco Andretti!!!

 

[AmyBWV99]

Not to make you more jealous, but see if you recognize where this pic was taken...

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hey Amy, congrats to you and your speed demon DH! I'm not sure if Jim and I will do this race again, but only because I am working on doing 1/2's in different states. We had a blast and thought it was very well organized. I couldn't believe the amount of entertainment! and when you are a penguin like me you really get to enjoy it!

 

[Maherae]

Wow, Wow, WOW!!!!! What an awesome job...and you are not finished for this month!! AMAZING!!! On to Madison..and, Pat, ...BRING THE CAMERA!!!

 

[kareneast]

Congratulations Pat on your Mini / Minnie! Great report! Looks like a fun race & I love the medal. This one is definately on my WISH Race List.