INDIANAPOLIS — Just like that, they were off. Indianapolis Colts player Kenny Moore in an Indy 500 Pace Car and our own Chuck Lofton waving the green flag to start the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.
The 13.1 mile course began downtown, went around the iconic oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and then back downtown.
"To race Indianapolis and see a full line of spectators across the whole course was amazing, and so that's what brings me back every year," said one participant.
There were generations of runners and spectators. The Gold Mile honored families whose loved ones paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.
"I know that my son was a runner, and we've run this before. And it's uplifting. Very blessed that we get to be out here," a proud mother told 13News.
Angel Soto-Lozada didn't let jeans slow him down. We asked if he would recommend such attire to other participants.
"Yes!" he said. "Just a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, just to say you did it."
And it worked. Soto-Lozada earned one of the Top 500 medals.
Caleb Webb crossing the finish line of the Delta Dental 5K first, followed by Maggie Whitham.
Jake Bertelsen from Columbus, Ohio won his first mini.
"I was just waiting for someone to talk me down at the end there," said Bertelsen. "I was just scared to death, honestly. I was like 'come on! Just gotta close this thing,' you know? It was exhilarating, for sure."
Anna Rohrer is the women's winner for the second year in a row.
"I'm actually 23 weeks pregnant," Rohrer said. "It's just such a gift to be able to use your body in this way. And to me, I run because I realize the gift it is. And I love the feeling of being able to work as hard as you can."
We also caught up with Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan before and after the race, near a swarm of fans.
"I am who I am and I became who I am here in Indy because of them, so giving them the time and giving the time and exchanging this positive energy is what matters, so it was awesome," Kanaan said.