Little 500 Through the Years

Take a trip through the history of Little 5

1951

Indiana University Archives

Little 500 founder Howard S. 'Howdy' Wilcox with his family in 1951 during the first race.

1958

Arbutus File Photo

Sigma Nu sprints to victory and takes the checkered flag for the 1958 Little 500 race.

1967

Arbutus File Photo

The crowd at 10th St. Stadium watches the Little 500 race in 1967. This area of campus is now the Arboretum.

1973

IDS File photo

Heavy rain delayed the 1973 Little 500 for one day. Ultimately, Kappa Sig won after crossing the line with a time of 2.12:6.

1979

IDS File Photo

'Breaking Away' is a coming-of-age film depicting teenagers in Bloomington who are driven to compete in IU's Little 500 cycling race. Steve Tesich won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay for the movie.

1980

IDS File photo

A specator is passed up to the top of the stands during the 1980 Little 500 race.

1991

IDS File photo

Members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon exchange during the 1991 Little 500 race. The team started 33rd and finished in 13th place.

1992

Sam Riche / Arbutus

Senior Courtney Bishop, left, sophomore Jamie Pinder of team Major Taylor pick up their jerseys for the 1992 Little 500 race.. Major Taylor was the first Black team in the annual race. The team named themselves after cycling great Marshall Walter 'Major' Taylor.

1997

Matt Stone / Arbutus

Dodds rider, freshman Greg O'Brien, collapsed from exhaustion and was taken to the Bloomington Hospital by ambulance in 1997. The team finished the race in fifth place and won the next year in 1998

1999

IDS File Photo

In 1999, IU alumnus John Schwarb wrote the book 'The Little 500' about history of the race.

2002

Brian Shakely / Arbutus

Alpha Xi Delta teammates huddle before the start of the women's Little 500 race in 2002.

2006

Aaron Bernstein

Alpha Tau Omega’s Hans Arnensen looks back at the pack during the Men’s Little 500 race Saturday, April 22, 2006. ATO completed the race one full lap before any of the other teams.

2008

Ashley Wilkerson / Orienter

For more than 60 years, the Little 500 has featured thrills and spills. In 2008, a rider for Phi Sigma Kappa (from left) lost control on turn one, other competitors struggled to avoid the crash.

2014

Caitlin O'Hara / IDS

Fans cheer as Alpha Chi Omega takes the pole position during qualifications Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

2018

Ty Vinson

The Cutters team won the 2018 Little 500 race Saturday, April 21 at Bill Armstrong Stadium. From left: Greg Huibregtse, Patrick Coulter, Noble Guyon and Erik Schwedland.

2022

Jenny Butler / IDS

A member of Alpha Chi Omega's bike team mounts her bike April 22, 2022, at Bill Armstrong Stadium during the women's Little 500 race. To switch riders, teams could either use two bikes or one bike.

2022

Alex Paul / IDS

The Melanzana bike team hoists the Little 500 tophy up on the podium after winning the women's Litte 500 at Bill Armstrong Stadium April 22, 2022.

2022

Alex Paul / IDS

A rider for Mother Bears Cycling picks up his bike in turn three during the Men's Little 500 April 23, 2022 at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

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