44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)
- Date Fri 7th August 2026
- Time 6:20PM EDT
- Location Blacksburg, Virginia
- Price Free - $23.26
- Races 2 races
- Distances 1 Mile
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Event summary
Get ready to lace up your running shoes for the 44th Annual Draper Mile on Friday, August 7, 2026, in the vibrant town of Blacksburg, Montgomery! This exhilarating 1-mile downhill road race is a highlight of the Steppin' Out Festival, attracting runners of all ages and abilities. The course, primarily downhill on Draper Road, promises to deliver fast finish times, making it an ideal event for competitive runners and casual participants alike.
Kick off the festivities with the Kids Fun Run at 6:20 PM, where young athletes can tackle the final 300 meters of the mile course. Following the fun run, the elite races commence at 6:30 PM, featuring the Men’s Elite Mile and Women’s Elite Mile, with various open heats to accommodate runners of all skill levels. With exciting awards for top finishers and a festive atmosphere, the Draper Mile is not just a race; it's a celebration of community and athleticism. Join us for a day filled with excitement, and make your mark at this year's Draper Mile!
Kick off the festivities with the Kids Fun Run at 6:20 PM, where young athletes can tackle the final 300 meters of the mile course. Following the fun run, the elite races commence at 6:30 PM, featuring the Men’s Elite Mile and Women’s Elite Mile, with various open heats to accommodate runners of all skill levels. With exciting awards for top finishers and a festive atmosphere, the Draper Mile is not just a race; it's a celebration of community and athleticism. Join us for a day filled with excitement, and make your mark at this year's Draper Mile!
Organiser's Description
Join us for the 44th annual Draper Mile: a 1-mile downhill road race held in conjunction with the Steppin Out Festival! The Draper Mile is the 7th race in the 2026 RunAbout Sports Race Series presented by Roots Realty Group.
DRAPER MILE
The course is mostly downhill and run entirely on Draper Road in Blacksburg with the finish in the middle of the Steppin' Out street festival. Finish times are approximately 1012 seconds faster than a track mile. | Course Map [https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6077202793/] The 1/4 mile is at Airport Rd, the 1/2 mile is just before Eakin (703 Draper), the 3/4 mile is at Clay St, and the Finish is at Jackson St.
KIDS FUN RUN
The fun run is free to enter, but you must sign up. The fun run route covers the final 300 meters (less than a lap on a track) of the mile course. The start line is at Washington St and the finish is Jackson St - same finish line as the mile. All fun run finishers receive a medal.
RACE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY AUGUST 7 (RACE DAY)
* 2:00 PM - 6:15 PM: Packet pickup at RunAbout Sports
* 6:20 PM: Kids Fun Run (Kent Square)
* 6:30 PM: Men's Elite Mile
* 6:35 PM: Women's Elite Mile
* 6:40 PM: Open Mile Heat 1 (women and men under 8 mins)
* 6:45 PM: Open Mile Heat 2 (women and men over 8 mins)
* 7:20 PM: Awards Ceremony in parking lot at Draper Rd and Jackson St
RACE DIVISIONS
* Men's Elite: sub 5:30 mile
* Women's Elite: sub 7:00 mile
* Open: all ages and abilities
AWARDS
OVERALL AWARDS
Only participants entered in the elite races are eligible for overall awards. In the case of ties, cash awards are split.
$500 for a course record (3:52 or faster for men's winner and 4:30 or faster for women's winner).
$300 - 1st place overall male & female
$200 - 2nd place overall male & female (choose between free shoe gift certificate or $200)
Free shoe gift certificate from RunAbout Sports - 3rd place overall male & female (get what 2nd place does not choose)
Masters, grandmasters, super grandmasters plus age group awards come from the merged elite and open race results
$50 - 1st place masters (age 40-49), grandmasters (age 50-59), and super grandmasters (age 60+) male & female
AGE GROUP AWARDS
Age divisions: < 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 3 finishers in each age group (above) will receive age group awards. . 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.
VOLUNTEER
Not racing but would like to help out? Volunteer as a course marshal or lead bike here [https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/VA/Blacksburg/DraperMile]!
DRAPER MILE
The course is mostly downhill and run entirely on Draper Road in Blacksburg with the finish in the middle of the Steppin' Out street festival. Finish times are approximately 1012 seconds faster than a track mile. | Course Map [https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6077202793/] The 1/4 mile is at Airport Rd, the 1/2 mile is just before Eakin (703 Draper), the 3/4 mile is at Clay St, and the Finish is at Jackson St.
KIDS FUN RUN
The fun run is free to enter, but you must sign up. The fun run route covers the final 300 meters (less than a lap on a track) of the mile course. The start line is at Washington St and the finish is Jackson St - same finish line as the mile. All fun run finishers receive a medal.
RACE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY AUGUST 7 (RACE DAY)
* 2:00 PM - 6:15 PM: Packet pickup at RunAbout Sports
* 6:20 PM: Kids Fun Run (Kent Square)
* 6:30 PM: Men's Elite Mile
* 6:35 PM: Women's Elite Mile
* 6:40 PM: Open Mile Heat 1 (women and men under 8 mins)
* 6:45 PM: Open Mile Heat 2 (women and men over 8 mins)
* 7:20 PM: Awards Ceremony in parking lot at Draper Rd and Jackson St
RACE DIVISIONS
* Men's Elite: sub 5:30 mile
* Women's Elite: sub 7:00 mile
* Open: all ages and abilities
AWARDS
OVERALL AWARDS
Only participants entered in the elite races are eligible for overall awards. In the case of ties, cash awards are split.
$500 for a course record (3:52 or faster for men's winner and 4:30 or faster for women's winner).
$300 - 1st place overall male & female
$200 - 2nd place overall male & female (choose between free shoe gift certificate or $200)
Free shoe gift certificate from RunAbout Sports - 3rd place overall male & female (get what 2nd place does not choose)
Masters, grandmasters, super grandmasters plus age group awards come from the merged elite and open race results
$50 - 1st place masters (age 40-49), grandmasters (age 50-59), and super grandmasters (age 60+) male & female
AGE GROUP AWARDS
Age divisions: < 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 3 finishers in each age group (above) will receive age group awards. . 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.
VOLUNTEER
Not racing but would like to help out? Volunteer as a course marshal or lead bike here [https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/VA/Blacksburg/DraperMile]!
Races
-
Draper Mile
Incl. $2.26 Fee & Race Shirt
Fri 7th August 2026 (6:30PM EDT)
$23.26
OPENS 05 APR -
Kids Fun Run
Incl. Race Shirt (For Purchase)
Fri 7th August 2026 (6:20PM EDT)
Free
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1470 S Main St, Ste 100, Blacksburg, 24060, VA, United States
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44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)
