Thousands of runners will be taking to the streets on Indianapolis for the 2005 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon this Saturday, May 7. Below is a guide to the elites and top runners.

OPEN MALE DIVISION
#1. Reuben Chebii Citizen: Kenya [chay-bee] age: 22
Defending Champion 2004 Mini Marathon (1:04:54) 2nd place 2005 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (46:58) 6th place 2004 Bix 7 Miler (Davenport, Iowa) 5th place 2004 Utica Boilermaker 15K (Utica, NY) 1st place 2004 Ontario, Canada 10K (27:48) 2nd place 2004 Crescent City Classic 10K (28:25) 1st place 2004 Richmond, VA 10K (28:07 CR) 4th place 2003 Gargnano, Italy Half Marathon (1:00:59 PR) Other: 2004 was Reuben's initial visit to the U.S. racing circuit. Obviously he had a stellar year not only in Indianapolis but also in other major U.S. races. Reuben also has extensive experience on the international racing scene. When not running, Reuben enjoys travel, music and basketball.

#3. Joseph Kariuki Citizen: Kenya age: 35
Won the Mini is 1998 (1:02:32) and 2003 (1:03:43) Joseph is often called upon to act as pacesetter in some of the world's most high profile marathons. In 2004 he paced the Rock n' Roll (Phoenix) Marathon, Tokyo International Men's Marathon, London Marathon, New York City Marathon, and the Chicago Marathon. He also set the pace in the 2002 London Marathon where a new world record was set. Joseph is no stranger to world records. In 1998 he set the world record for the 25 K which he held until May 2001.

#4. Ronald Mogaka Citizen: Kenya age: 27
Second place finisher in the Mini in 2002 (1:02:12) and 2004 (1:05:30) 3rd place 2004 21 km de Montreal 1st place 2004 Litchfield Hills Road Race 3rd place 2004 Fairfield Half Marathon 7th place 2004 BAA Half Marathon (Boston, MA) 1st place 2003 Columbus Marathon 4th place 2003 Philadelphia Distance Classic Other: Ronald has a marathon PR of 2:12 in his marathon debut in Beijing and has twice won the prestigious Philadelphia Distance Classic (2001 and 2002). Although injured most 2003, Ronald came back to enjoy a successful 2004. When not running, Ronald enjoys watching movies and listening to music.

#5. Wesley Ochoro Citizen: Kenya age: 27
1st place 2005 Foot Hills 5K (14:17) Phoenix, AZ 1st place 2005 Valley of the Sun Half Marathon (1:04:54) Phoenix, AZ. Wesley was led off course by ? mile, up to that point he was on pace to set a new course record. 1st place 2004 Saint Cloud 10K (28:16) France 1st place 2004 Groesbeek 10K (27:59) France 1st place 2002 Paris Half Marathon (1:01:36) Paris, France Other: Wesley has been based in France for most of his running career but has recently moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he now trains. Wesley is looking forward to running Indianapolis and is expecting to race a fast time.

#7. John Itati Citizen: Kenya age: 31
1st place 2004 Azalea Trail 10K 5th place 2004 Cooper River Bridge Run 10K 5th place 2004 Lilac Bloomsday 12K 3rd place 2004 Bay to Breakers 12K 1st place 2004 Cotton Row 10K 1st place 2004 Orange Classic 10K 5th place 2004 Philadelphia Distance Run (Half-Marathon) 1:02:04, PR 1st place 2004 Pennsylvania Avenue Mile 1st place 2004 Baltimore Marathon (CR, debut) Other: In 2002, John won the Penn Relays 5000 in 13:35.88. In 2003 as well as in 2002, John enjoyed great success on the U.S. road racing circuit. He enjoys music, reading making friends, baseball, art and going to festivals.

#10. Joseah Matui Citizen: Kenya age: 27
1st place 2005 Danbury, CT Half-Marathon 1st place 2004 San Diego, CA Half-Marathon 1st place 2004 Chicago, IL Half-Marathon 8th place 2004 Utica Boilermaker 15K 2nd place 2004 Wheeling WV 20K Set his half marathon PR (1:03:17) in Nairobi, Kenya at altitude in 2002 Other: Joseah also enjoys reading and listening to music.

#16. Donnie Fellows Indianapolis, IN age: 26
Donnie placed fifth overall in last year's Mini 1:06:42. 2004 US Olympic Trial Qualifier for 10,000m 14th place US Outdoor National Championships All-American for Purdue in the 10,000m BS and MBA from Purdue University #17. John Sence Cincinnati, OH age: 35
John ran his first Mini last year, finishing 11th overall in 1:08:50. In 2003 he won the Dallas White Rock Half-Marathon and in 2002 he came in second in the Marine Corps Marathon as well as winning the Cincinnati Heart Mini Marathon (15K) for the fifth time. John has been a member of the US Half-Marathon World Championship team in 1996, 1997 and 1998. In 1996 he also qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials.

#18. Jim Jurcevich Columbus, OH age: 28
Jim is a graduate of Michigan State University where he was an NCAA All-American in both track (5K and 10K) and cross-country. In 2000 he placed 6th in the US Olympic Trials for 10K. In 2002 he won the Germantown Half-Marathon in 1:03:15, 3rd at the New Haven, CT 20K (1:00:52) and second at the Columbus Marathon in 2:18:17. In 2003 he placed second again at the Columbus Marathon in 2:15:13 and in 2004 competed in the Olympic Trials. This year, Jim has run the Tom King Half-Marathon in 1:08:05.

#19. Kyle Baker Mason, MI age: 29
Kyle is an Indiana native and a graduate of Michigan State University where he was a four-time NCAA All-American in track (3K and 5K) and cross-country. In 2000 he placed 14th at the US Olympic Trials in the 10K. In 2002 he placed twelfth at the Chicago Marathon (2:14:13), third at the Bix 7 (33:33), and second at the New Haven, CT 20K (59:21). In 2003 he placed ninth in the US Marathon Championships (2:19:54) and second at the Bermuda International Half-Marathon (1:06:55). His 2004 season was curtailed due to injuries but he is looking forward to once again running his "hometown" race.

#20. T.J. Lentz Cincinnati, OH age: 38
T.J. was a 2000 Olympic Marathon Trial qualifier and owns a half-marathon P.R. of 1:03:38. Earlier this year, he won the P.F. Chang Half-Marathon (1:10:53) in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2004 he won the Flying Pig Marathon (2:38:08) in Cincinnati and came in second in the Corridor Classic Half-Marathon (1:10:08) in Dayton, Ohio. T.J. is an environmental health scientist for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This will be his first Mini Marathon.

OPEN FEMALE DIVISION

#2. Albina Ivanova Citizen: Russia age: 27
Two-time defending women's champion at the Mini (2003 and 2004) Holder of women's course record of 1:11:24 (2003) Won Russian Long Course Cross-Country Championship (Feb. 2005) Won 2004 Lilac Bloomsday 12K (39:21) Won 2004 Bay to Breakers 12K 6th place 2004 London Marathon (2:27:25) 5th place 2004 Chicago Marathon 6th place 2003 Boston Marathon (2:30:57) 5th place 2003 Chicago Marathon (2:28:22) Other: Albina set her half-marathon PR in the 2003 Mini. Due to her strong efforts in several major marathons and other major road races, Albina is quickly becoming a rising star in long distance racing. The Mini Marathon, however, remains one of her favorite races and she wants to be the Mini's first ever women's "three-peat" champion.

#6. Amy Skieresz-Wilson Tucson, AZ age: 28
Amy is a newcomer to long distance racing. Her collegiate career, however, speaks for itself. She is a seven-time NCAA champion with track PR's of 9:11.92 for the 3,000m (1999), 15:37.77 for the 5,000m (1998) and 32:31.65 for the 10K (1997). After taking some time off from elite racing she has since run a few road races and is gearing for longer distances. She is hoping for a sub 1:15:00 half marathon or better. Other: Amy is currently serving as the University of Arizona women's assistant track and cross country coach. Her husband, Ryan Wilson, is a former star on the University of Arkansas track team.

#9. Leah Malot Citizen: Kenya age: 32
6th place 2005 San Juan, PR 10K 1st place 2004 7K Cross Country Zurich, Switzerland 2nd place 2004 Philadelphia Distance Classic (half-marathon) 2nd place 2004 Jakarta, Indonesia 10K 2nd place 2004 3000m, Doha, Qatar 2nd place 2003 Peoria, Illinois 4-Miler 1st place 2003 Philadelphia Distance Classic (half-marathon) 1st place 2003 Wheeling, WV 20K Other: Leah has been one of the most dominating women on the cross-country, road and track circuits for the past ten years. She is the 5000m record holder for Kenya. Her personal bests from the 800m on up to the half-marathon show her versatility in this sport. She is a leader and captain for the Kenyan cross-country national team. She is looking toward the marathon as her next goal.

#11. Marina Ivanova Citizen: Russia age: 23
1st place 2005 All Russian National Cross-Country Championships 1st place 2004 Marseille-Cassias 20K (1:12:10) Marseille, France 1st place 2004 LeBourge International Half-Marathon (Lion, France) 2nd place 2004 Russian 10K Road Championships (32:34) 5th place 2003 Moscow International Half-Marathon (1:14:10) Other: Marina is one of Russia's up and coming long distance racers. This is her first trip to the United States.

#12. Jackline Okemwa Citizen: Kenya age: 26
Jackline has primarily raced cross-country events and recently placed 4th in the Kenyan 8K national championships. She has run a 1:15:01 half marathon but has been mainly focused on cross-country events. Jackline is married and has one child. She also enjoys music and dancing.

#13. Anastasia Ndereba Citizen: Kenya age: 30

6th place 2004 Mini Marathon (1:16:16) 2nd place 2003 Mini Marathon (1:11:59) 5th place 2004 Los Angeles Marathon 2nd place 2004 Scotiabank Vancouver 21K 2nd place 2004 San Diego Half-Marathon 1st place 2004 Stone Harbor 10K 1st place 2004 Beirut International Marathon (CR) 3rd place 2003 Sallie Mae 10K 11th place 2003 Chicago Marathon Other: In 2002 Anastasia won the Turin and Venice marathons in 2:29. This marks Anastasia's third trip to Indianapolis. She is the younger sister of Kenyan great, Catherine Ndereba, who won her fourth Boston Marathon in April.

#14. Teresa Wanjiku Citizen: Kenya age: 35
7th place 2005 Cooper River Bridge Run 2nd place 2004 Clarksburg 10K 1st place 2004 Guadeloupe 15K 1st place 2004 Pittsburgh Great Race 10K 2nd place 2004 Baltimore Half-Marathon 1st place 2004 Run Barbados 21K Other: Teresa has run on many Kenyan national teams. In 1998 she was ranked #2 in the world by Runner's World magazine and #3 in the world in 1999. In 2002 she won several prestigious road races including, the Old Kent River Run 25K, Parkersburg Half-Marathon, Stone Harbor 10K, Park Forest 10 Miler, and the Medellin Half-Marathon (France) where she set her half-marathon PR of 1:11:42. This is Teresa's first visit to Indianapolis.

#15. Tatiana Belovol Citizen: Ukraine age: 35
Tatiana raced lightly during 2003 and 2004 due to the birth of a daughter and several injuries. She ran the 2004 Paris Half-Marathon in 1:16 and came in second in the Camden Bridge Run 10K. The half-marathon is her favorite distance and she is looking forward to competing in Indianapolis.

OTHER INVITED RUNNERS
# Aaron Hoover Terre Haute, IN age: 23
1st place 2005 St. Louis Marathon (2:33:45 7th place 2004 Columbus Marathon (2:32:09) Aaron ran for Ball State as an undergraduate. #. Doug Kurtis Detroit, MI Age: 53 (Senior Masters)
Most career sub 2:20 marathons (76) Most marathon victories (40) Five-time Olympic trial qualifier in the marathon Co-chair for the Detroit Free Press Marathon Writes a weekly running column for the Detroit Free Press Doug loves the Mini Marathon. This will be his fifth consecutive Mini and he considers it one of the best-managed races in the world. He should know.

#48 Gary Romesser Indianapolis, IN Age: 54 (Senior Masters)
Five-time winner of the Mini Marathon Holds 14 American age group records at varying distances Gold medallist in the 2001 World Master Championships held in Sydney Australia, in both the 10K and 8K cross-country events Last year, at age 53, Gary was 36th overall (1:14:41), 5th master and first senior master. Gary has lived and trained in Indianapolis throughout his long and storied career.

#47 Paul Risch Indianapolis, IN Age: 45 (Masters)
Paul was 19th overall in the 2004 Mini (1:11:19) and second master #46 Jeanne Olash Louisville, KY Age: 48 (Masters)
Jeanne was 2nd female master to Ramilia Burangulova in last year's Mini and 175th overall in 1:24:48. She was second master overall in 2003 and won the masters division in 2002.

#50 Michael Smith Brownsburg, IN Age: 44 (Masters)
Michael was 22nd overall and third master (1:11:56) in 2004. Michael is also a well-known triathlete who regularly defeats people 20 years younger than he is.

#43 John Ngigi Citizen: Kenya Age: 26
John currently lives and trains in Indianapolis with the Indiana Invaders He is an 11-time NAIA All American and a graduate of Huntington College John was seventh overall in last year's Mini (1:07:17)

#45 Reuben Njau Citizen: Kenya Age: 38
Reuben was 13th overall in the 2004 Mini (1:09:56) Reuben lives and trains in McCordsville and has been a local fixture at most Indianapolis-area racing events.

Other area athletes to watch for:
#28 Tito Downer (Indianapolis) 26M
18th overall in 2004 Mini (1:11:17)

#30 Stephanie Dueringer (Indianapolis) 29F
Member of the Indiana Invaders Recently ran 34:28 in the 10K at the Penn Relays

#33 Aaron Harding (New Palestine) 22M
Ran for Indiana State University.

#38 Erin Kelly (Indianapolis) 26F
Ran for Butler University Ran 2:58 at the 2004 Columbus Marathon

#37 Paul Howarth (Indianapolis) 27M
Runs for the Indiana Invaders 11th overall in the 2004 Mini (1:09:31) #32 Amy Hamilton (Indianapolis) 15F
Amy set an age group record when at age 12 she ran the Mini in 1:24. She currently runs for Decatur Central High School

For more information, check out www.500festival.com