BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In April the 36th running of the women's Little 500 and the 73rd running of the men's Little 500 will take place at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The women's race will be at 4 p.m. Friday, April 19, and the men's race will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
Last year’s Little 500 events drew large crowds with more than 14,000 spectators attending both races.
“The Little 500 is about more than a competition in April,” said Emily Carrico, Little 500 race director. “And its impact is felt year-round, across campus. The IU Student Foundation, Little 500 rider, Steering Committee, and volunteers are proud to put on an exciting competition with such meaning” Carrico shared.
While the Little 500 is an IU tradition, it is more than a bike race. It’s an opportunity to educate students on the importance of philanthropy and to teach them how to be life-long philanthropic advocates who help their local communities after graduation.
“The IU Student Foundation was founded with philanthropy as a core pilar,” shared Aimie DeLeon, assistant director student lifetime engagement. Continuing the tradition, this year’s race is again supporting the Students Helping Students peer-to-peer campaign to support the destigmatization of student mental health issues on the IU Bloomington campus. The IU Student Foundation has partnered with the Office of the Chief Health Officer (OCHO) for this springs campaign. OCHO’s mission is to create a safe and honest dialogue about mental health. One dollar from every Little 500 ticket purchased will support the campaign.
“Through the Students Helping Students, IUSF’s goal is to demonstrate to current IU students that they can make an impact while they are here, and not wait until they graduate to give back to the IU community. The campaign focus is chosen by students and highlights the importance of caring for one another while fostering a greater sense of community.” said DeLeon.
The Students Helping Students campaign is also represented on the track. Little 500 teams who reach a minimum number of student donors will be sporting Students Helping Students patches on their race day jerseys, showing their dedication to the giving spirit at the core of the Little 500 mission. The 2023 Overall Top Fundraising teams were Theta Phi Alpha and Phi Kappa Psi. These teams will be wearing the IU jersey at this year's race.
Proceeds from the Little 500 races have contributed more than $2.5 million in student scholarships since it began in 1951. Last year’s race generated $13,532 from student ticket sales to help fight food insecurity on the IU Bloomington campus.
The grand marshal for this year’s races will be Lamar R. Hylton, Ph.D., the Vice Provost for Student Life at Indiana University Bloomington. Dr. Hylton’s focus as vice provost is to align with the IU Bloomington 2030 strategic plan to improve the experience of all students on the Bloomington campus. Dr. Hylton will serve as the race starter for both the women’s and men’s races, shake hands with the riders, and start the race with the famous words, "Riders, you may mount your Little 500 bicycles."
The Little 500 is modeled after the Indianapolis 500 and it is the largest collegiate bike race in the United States. Riders compete in four-person teams around a quarter-mile track at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The men's race is 200 laps (50 miles), and the women's race is 100 laps (25 miles). There are 66 teams expected to compete in the 2024 Little 500 races.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
One ticket is valid for both the women's and men's races. Ticket prices are:
- Student in advance: $35
- Non-student in advance: $40
- Student, day of: $40
- Non-student, day of: $45
- 12 and under: $15 in advance and day of the event
The IUSF is partnering with student organizations on several events leading up to race weekend.
April 15
Bagels and Bandanas with Culture of Care
Location: Sample Gates
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm
Activity: Stop by the IUSF x Culture of Care table to pick up a bagel, green bandana and learn about resources IU has available to support your mental health.
April 18
Students Helping Students Gala
Location: IU Foundation Showalter House, 1500 N. State Road 45 Bypass, Bloomington, IN 47408
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Activity: Celebrate Students Helping Students campaign with the IU Student Foundation! A night of fun, food, and entertainment with all our student organization partners.
Races will be available to stream.
The Media School is partnering again with the IU Student Foundation and Little 500 to broadcast both races live online at broadcast.iu.edu or IU Student Foundation YouTube Channel.
About the IU Student Foundation
The Indiana University Student Foundation is the student-programming arm of the Indiana University Foundation, a nonprofit organization established to raise funds for Indiana University and its students. IU Student Foundation aids in the fundraising efforts of the IU Foundation while also cultivating participation in leadership-development activities and programming by its undergraduate members.
The mission of the IU Student Foundation is to grow lifetime commitment to and support for Indiana University through student-led programming and leadership development opportunities that are educational, philanthropic, and fun.