Join us for the 41st annual Draper Mile: a one-mile downhill race held in conjunction with the Steppin’ Out Festival and part of the 2023 RunAbout Race Series.
Race day registration & packet pickup is at RunAbout Sports from 11 am to 2 pm and then at Kent Square on the corner of Draper and Washington St. 4:30-6 pm.
Kid’s fun run requires no entry fee but must sign the waiver and pick up the bib number. You can do this at RunAbout Sports before the race or just meet at the corner of the Kent Street parking garage before 5:50 pm. The kid's race gathers at the start at 6:15-6:20 pm. Race starts at 6:25pm. The race distance is 300 meters (less than a lap on a track). All kids who finish receive a medal.
Mile race - The course is mostly downhill, starting and ending on Draper Road in Blacksburg, with the finish in the middle of the street festival. Times are about 10–12 seconds faster than for a track mile. |
Course Map (PDF) The start is marked with an A, the 1/4 mile is at Airport, the 1/2 mile is just before Eakin (703 Draper), the 3/4 mile is at Clay, and the Finish is at Jackson.
The first Draper Mile was in 1982, with 97 participants. In 2009, 2010, and 2017 there was a record 336 participants (but multiple races).
Friday Race Times:
Kids run at 6:25 pm
Men's Elite Mile 6:30 pm (sub 6-minute mile)
Women's Elite Mile 6:35 pm (sub 7-minute mile)
Open Mile 6:40 pm (open to all abilities and ages)
7:20 pm AWARDS CEREMONY - parking lot near the finish
AWARDS:
$500.00 Bonus for a course record (3:52 or faster for men's winner and 4:30 or faster for women's winner).
$200.00 - 1st place overall male & female
$100.00 - 2nd place overall male & female (make take shoe gift certificate or $100)
Free shoes - overall third male & female from RunAbout Sports
$50.00 each - 1st place masters (age 40-49), grandmasters (age 50-59), and super grandmasters (age 60+)
Age Groups: 7-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-16, 17-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65+
The top three finishers in each age group (above) will also receive awards. Winners for overall awards can only come from the elite races. Masters, grandmasters, super grandmasters plus age group awards will come from the elite and open race merge results. In the case of ties, cash awards are split. Awards will follow the final race (approximately 7:20 pm) on the corner of Jackson & Draper.
Registration fees:
Kids 300-meter race: free, need to sign waiver.
Mile:
now until July 27th: $21.00
July 28th-August 3rd: $25.00
Race Day: $30.00
Immediate Family rate good until August 3rd: $60.00 - need to fill out paper form at RunAbout Sports.
Draper Mile history is located at Draper Mile History and Records
Top Ten Male Times (name, age, year of performance, time)
1. Willy Fink 24 18 3:53
2. Gary Cobb 20 87 3:54
3. Abraham Kiplagat 33 18 3:57
4. Steve Pinard 26 86 4:01
5. Phil Kinslow 22 91 4:02
5. Ben Cooke 21 00 4:02
7. Ben Thomas 26 96 4:03
7. Phil Kinslow 24 93 4:03
9. Pat Henner 29 90 4:04
9. Ben Thomas 27 97 4:04
9. Reid Sharkey 23 21 4:04.0
9. Willy Fink 23 17 4:04.1
Top Ten Female Times (name, age, year of performance, time)
1. Carmen Graves 23 14 4:31.1
2. Carmen Graves 22 13 4:35.7
3. MaryJayne Harrelson 26 04 4:37
4. Amanda Smith 22 15 4:39.7
5. Joanna Stevens 17 09 4:41.5
6. Kathleen Stevens 17 09 4:42.7
7. Joanna Stevens 18 10 4:45.6
8. Karen Wierwille 16 82 4:46
9. Beth (Dillinger) Howell 27 82 4:48
9. Kathleen Stevens 19 11 4:48
9. Jennifer Fleming 21 18 4:48
