Little 500 gallery: Beautiful chaos on 'The World's Greatest College Weekend'

Escape Collective member James Brosher is a staff photographer at Indiana University, where as an adjunct instructor he teaches a course in the Media School entitled 'Little 500 Photography.' By leveraging the iconic event, his students have the opportunity to develop their photography skills and knowledge over the duration of the semester, culminating in hands-on experience of documentary photography at the event itself. This gallery brings together a small curated selection of the cohort's portfolio, and their contribution to historical record.

Brosher's students whose work is included here are Sophie Doyne, Lauren McKinney, Josephine Wagner, Grace Urbanski, Dapho Sproles, Brady Owen, Anna Fernandez, Colin Slomka, Maddi Sponsel, Mason Munn and Levi Jones.

The Little 500 is the United States’ premier collegiate cycling race and one of Indiana University’s defining traditions. Founded in 1951 by IU Foundation President Howdy Wilcox Jr., the event, now known as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend,” was created to raise scholarship funds for students working their way through school. Wilcox modeled the race after the Indianapolis 500, which his father won in 1919. More than 70 years later, that mission endures, with proceeds supporting student-led philanthropy through the IU Student Foundation.

Redemption at the Little 500Teams of four college kids racing two bikes around a 400-meter cinder track in one of the biggest bike races in America.Escape CollectiveNicholas Hartman

The race is simple in concept and chaotic in execution. 33 teams of four race around a quarter-mile cinder track on identical steel single-speed bikes with coaster brakes. Only one rider per team is on the track at a time, with teammates rotating in through high-speed exchanges in designated pit areas. The men’s race covers 200 laps (50 miles), while the women’s race, introduced in 1988, spans 100 laps (25 miles).

Sorority team Alpha Chi Omega claimed its first Women’s Little 500 title Friday after a lightning-delayed race at the Bill Armstrong Stadium. The outcome was far from certain when the race was halted on the 63rd lap, with RideOn Cycling holding a commanding nine-second lead. When the race restarted, that advantage was erased, allowing a lead group of 11 teams to re-establish for the remaining 37 laps. Alpha Chi Omega surged on the final lap to secure the win, denying two-time defending champion Kappa Alpha Theta a third consecutive title. The Alpha Chi Omega victory also served as redemption for sophomore rider Libby Lewis, who came up short in a sprint finish a year ago. Teter finished second, followed by Kappa Alpha Theta in third.

Making history at the first ever women’s Little 500For its first 37 editions, Indiana University’s celebrated Little 500 was men only, but as the Title IX era took hold in sports, women were finally given their own race in 1988. This is the story of the team that won the inaugural event.Escape CollectiveKerry Hellmuth

In the 75th Men's Little 500, the Black Key Bulls survived a chaotic finish to secure the team’s third-consecutive title on Saturday. On lap 199 of 200, race leader Chi Alpha collided with Cutters in the first turn after making an exchange. The collision triggered a multi-team crash that upended the race. Shortly after the pileup, officials threw a yellow flag and froze the field, eliminating a final sprint and turning the last lap into a controlled finish that locked in the results at that moment. Black Key Bulls, just behind the lead group, avoided the wreck along with Cinzano to move into first and second, while Bears Cycling rode through — and over — the pileup to secure third.

–James Brosher

** Each photographer is individually credited, and their original captions lightly edited.**

Alpha Chi Omega’s Ellie Marsella leads her team out of their sorority house and through a tunnel of supporters as they ride to the Bill Armstrong Stadium. Alpha Chi Omega was part of a field of 33 participants that included sororities and independent teams. Photo: Lauren McKinneyGreta Weeks leads her Kappa Alpha Theta team through their own tunnel en route to the stadium. Sororities traditionally hold big send-offs, with members lining the route to cheer riders on as they depart for the race. Photo: Grace UrbanskiExperienced sophomore Libby Lewis of Alpha Chi Omega hugs her father, Cory Lewis, before the start of the Women's Little 500. Cory rode for Phi Gamma Delta’s 1995 Little 500-winning team. Photo: Lauren McKinneyKappa Alpha Theta riders sit on the infield before the start of the 38th Women's Little 500. Pictured from left are: Greta Weeks, Greta Heyl, Bailey Cappella and Claire Tips. Photo: Josephine Wagner

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