INDIANAPOLIS - The Indy Ultimate, an activation driven run/walk in downtown Indianapolis, is partnering with Visit Indy to support the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association (InRLA) through ticket proceeds in its fifth-annual running. The InRLA recently created the Hospitality Relief Fund to give back to employees of the hospitality industry who are reeling in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and who were among the first to face economic fallout.
“In its fifth-annual running, the Indy Ultimate is in a unique position to not only showcase the prominent areas of Indy but give back to the hospitality community. The workers suffering now are the same people that helped make this the best sports city in America and anything we can do to help, we should,” said Ryan Vaughn, Indiana Sports Corp president. “We are very grateful to our long-time partner, Visit Indy, for partnering with us and the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association to make meaningful donations to the citywide Hospitality Relief Fund.”
“This an extraordinarily challenging time for hospitality workers who now make up a staggering number of Indiana’s unemployed population,” said Elise Shrock, Director of Operations at the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Indiana Sports Corp has a long history and partnership within our state’s hospitality industry. We are incredibly grateful that in our time of need they continue to uplift the industry and further strengthen their legacy of civic engagement and community support.”
The Indiana Sports Corp event will offer two routes - six-mile course and three-mile course - that display the city’s most iconic sports, military, and cultural venues while winding through downtown on Saturday, July 25. The Indy Ultimate will begin at 8 a.m. on Monument Circle with waves starting every five minutes to enhance distancing throughout the course.
Registration for the traditional six-mile loop is $55 for all participants. Accompanying the longer route, a shorter three-mile route will take place in addition to a virtual option for those that would like to take part in the event from a distance. Both of these experiences have a $30 registration fee and virtual participants will be shipped an official medal and t-shirt. In partnership with Visit Indy, proceeds from registration fees will be donated to the InRLA’s Hospitality Relief Fund with $10 of every six-mile registration and $5 of every three-mile/virtual registration to be donated to support hospitality workers during this time.
“Since its launch, the Indy Ultimate has been a key event in attracting visitors from across the U.S to Indy, as the course uniquely interacts with and shows off the city’s iconic sports venues,” said Chris Gahl, a senior vice president at Visit Indy. “We are very thankful to our long-time partner, Indiana Sports Corp, for its generosity in helping the 83,000 men and women in Indy who depend on tourism for paycheck.”
The route has confirmed a number of locations returning including favorites Lucas Oil Stadium, Victory Field, American Legion Mall, and the Canal. Each stop features a unique activity native to the location such as kicking a field goal, running the bases, or tackling an obstacle course. Participants can run, jog, or walk their way through the course with ample time to experience each stop location. Once through the course, contestants will cross the finish line back at Monument Circle and receive their Indy Ultimate finisher medal. In lieu of a post-race party on Monument Circle, all participants will be given exclusive offers to surrounding restaurants and establishments to continue the support of the hospitality industry.
The minimum age to take part in the Indy Ultimate is 10 years old. A map of the official route featuring all confirmed locations will be released at a later date.
Social media is a big part of the Indy Ultimate, with opportunities for selfies and photos throughout the course. The hashtag is #ConquerIndy and prizes will be awarded for best photos shared using the hashtag. There will also be course entertainment along the route including live music and interactive activations.
For individuals that do not want to run, jog, or walk in the event but would still like to be involved, volunteer positions will be available. Additionally, there is an option to donate to the InRLA’s Hospitality Relief Fund through the Indy Ultimate registration page for those not wanting to participate but would like to donate to the cause. For more information on the race, registration, and volunteer opportunities, go to www.IndyUltimate.com.
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ABOUT INDIANA SPORTS CORP:
Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org.
ABOUT VISIT INDY:
The mission of Visit Indy is to increase Indianapolis economic growth by strategically selling the destination to conventions, meetings, events, and leisure travelers. According to Rockport Analytics, 30 million visitors provide $5.6 billion in total economic impact annually and support 82,900 full-time-equivalent jobs in Central Indiana. For more information, www.VisitIndy.com.
ABOUT THE INDIANA RESTAURANT AND LODGING ASSOCIATION:
The Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association represents Indiana hotel and restaurant properties as well as industry-related service companies. Our members and the hospitality industry at large, make up the nation’s largest private sector employment and one of the state’s most politically active and public service-oriented industries. Our members are the cornerstone of Indiana’s communities and the backbone of our state’s economy.