INDIANAPOLIS – The Indy Ultimate, an urban adventure race in downtown Indianapolis, will feature new elements in the second-annual running of the event. The Indiana Sports Corp event will showcase the city’s most iconic sports, military and cultural venues while winding through downtown over the course of seven miles. The Central Indiana Community Foundation returns as the presenting sponsor of the race set for Saturday, June 24.
Participants will start in waves every 5 minutes at Military Park on the sports circuit. They’ll kick a soccer goal at Michael A. Carroll Stadium (with all but one goal featuring banners to make the shot more difficult). Indy Eleven mascot Zeke will also be present this year in addition to a selfie station where runners can dress like an Indy Eleven player.
Participants will exit Michael A. Carroll Stadium, run by the NCAA Hall of Champions and the Indianapolis Zoo in White River State Park, and run the bases at Victory Field where they will see themselves on the brand new video board. Indianapolis Indians’ Rowdie will be present to cheer everyone on as they cross home plate and take part in the selfie station that includes baseballs, bats and gloves.
The next stop is Lucas Oil Stadium where participants will hear their name announced over the public address system as they enter the field through the inflatable horse tunnel, just like the Colts do on game day. They will then attempt a field goal with the Colts’ cheerleaders and Blue cheering them on and take a selfie mid-field while wearing a Colts helmet, receiver gloves and shoulder pads.
From Lucas Oil Stadium, participants will take part in an Indianapolis Motor Speedway activation on Georgia Street then head to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to compete in a skills challenge with the sounds of the Pacers’ “High Octane” Drumline in the background.
After Bankers Life Fieldhouse, military attractions become the focus. Participants will take a lap around Monument Circle in The HandleBar, jam to their favorite tunes, take a picture with fellow conquerors at the photo station, and then go up, around and down the steps at the Indiana War Memorial. Next participants will face an obstacle course at American Legion Mall where service men and women from the Indiana National Guard will assist and “cheer” them on as they tackle the obstacles.
The final segment showcases the culture in Indianapolis as competitors venture across the Glick Peace Walk on Walnut Street, and head to the Canal Walk featuring Indianapolis Ballet School dancers, musical performances by Circle City Steel, The DoleBecks, Protocol and The Tides and Play! – an interactive percussion installation where participants will become the musicians.
The final stop of the Indy Ultimate is at the Indiana State Museum where participants will run through time up the main staircase while taking photos with Abraham Lincoln, Raggedy Ann, Johnny Appleseed, among others. In addition, each participant will make their stamp on an interactive mural located in the Museum.
Each contestant will cross the finish line in Military Park, receive their finishers medal and one complimentary Dos Equis beer (must be 21 or older). All can then enjoy a game of cornhole, giveaways, music by DJ Lockstar, a photo booth and much more. The post-race party will also feature a tribute to Olympic Day, a United States Olympic Committee annual event celebrating the birth of the modern Olympic Games in 1894, with free Frisbees in the Olympic colors promoting the local National Governing Bodies that call Indianapolis home such as USA Diving, USA Track and Field, USA Football, USA Gymnastics and US Olympians and Paralympians Indiana Chapter.
Social media is a big part of the Indy Ultimate, with opportunities for selfies and photos throughout the course. 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 music from the bands Among the Compromised, Sheeza, Pushing Daisy’s and Maddie Krueger.
Registration is $95 through June 23 and $100 at packet pick-up and on race day. The Indy Ultimate will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, with wave starts every five minutes. For those not wanting to participate in the race but would still like to be involved, volunteer positions are available. For more information, a course map, video, volunteer opportunities and registration, go to www.indyultimate.com.
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Indiana Sports Corp’s mission is to create positive impact by hosting world-class sporting events which drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride, garner national and international media attention and create opportunities for our youth. A not-for-profit organization, Indiana Sports Corp was founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission. For more information, visit www.IndianaSportsCorp.org.