This year's Indianapolis 500 Mini-Marathon was shaping up to be a memorable one. The men's field boasted several previous winners, including last year's winner and course record holder, Gabriel Muchiri. The Race Directors attributed the talented field to Indianapolis television network WISH TV's offer of $25,000 for a men's or women's world record. With such a large jackpot, and race time weather of partly cloudy and 55 degrees, conditions seemed perfect for a record attempt.

In the men's race, Five Kenyans took the lead at the gun, running comfortably together for the first half of the race. Heading into the lap around Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1998 winner Joseph Kariuki began throwing in slight surges, testing the other competitors. Although he lead by as much as 40 meters, the chase group consistently made up the distance.

In the last mile and a half, Kariuki began a push for the victory; surging hard and dropping everyone except his training partner, Gabriel Muchiri. The strain on Muchiri's face was evident, as he ran 5-10 meters off of Kariuki's shoulder. With a mile to go, Kariuki quickened the pace and extended his lead. He didn't let up from there, winning by 25 seconds. His time, 1 hour 3 minutes and 43 seconds was almost two minutes off the course record. After the race, Muchiri cited a "stomach pain" for his poor performance. Both he and Kariuki look forward to faster times at next year's mini.

The women's race produced a faster finish than the men's. Only two weeks removed from a 6th place at the Boston Marathon, Albina Ivanova pulled away, heading out of the speedway, to win in a new course record, 1:11:24. Her effort was 30 seconds ahead of Anastasia Nbdereba and good for 26th overall.

Michigan was well represented in Indianapolis. Kenya's John who lives and trains in Flint, finished 9th overall. Doug Kurtis, who holds the world records for most marathon victories (39) and most sub-2:20 marathons (76) finished 69th overall. Timothy Emmet of Royal Oak and Patrick Foley of Commerce were the second and third Michigan finishers. Emmet ran 1:18:59 to finish 80th and Foley came in 94th, running 1:20:01. In addition, the Mini's directors hired Riley McLincha, of Clio, to participate in the event. Although the name may not ring a bell, anyone familiar with the Michigan road-racing circuit will recognize McLincha. The self-proclaimed "Professor of Drubbling" can be hired to dribble three basketballs while he completes road races. MR