KAR 1-Mile Challenge
- Date Sat 18th July 2026
- Time 8:30AM EDT
- Location Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Price $38.60
- Races 1 race
- Distances 1 Mile
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of competition at the KAR 1-Mile Challenge in Kalamazoo on Saturday, July 18, 2026! Set in the scenic WMU Business Tech Innovation Park, this event features a thrilling 1-mile race that caters to runners of all ages and abilities. The day kicks off at 8:30 AM with heats organized by age group, including special heats for high school and invitational athletes. Runners will have the chance to compete for cash prizes in the invitational heats, with top finishers receiving awards of $250, $150, and $75!
This event isn't just about individual glory; teams are encouraged to participate, with categories for open teams and under-19 teams. Participants will enjoy a fast course and the camaraderie of friends and family cheering them on. Don't miss your chance to be part of this exciting race day filled with friendly competition and community spirit! Register early to secure your T-shirt and join the fun!
This event isn't just about individual glory; teams are encouraged to participate, with categories for open teams and under-19 teams. Participants will enjoy a fast course and the camaraderie of friends and family cheering them on. Don't miss your chance to be part of this exciting race day filled with friendly competition and community spirit! Register early to secure your T-shirt and join the fun!
Organiser's Description
EVENT DATE:
July 18, 2026 (Saturday)
EVENT LOCATION
WMU Business Tech Innovation Park
ABOUT THIS EVENT:
The start will be separated into age-group, high school, middle school, and invitational heats. The heats will start 10 minutes apart. The high school heats will be separated into two boy's heats of over 5:00 PRs and under 5:00 PRs, and the girl's heats of over 6:00 PRs and under 6:00 PRs. The invitational heats will be women under 5:30 and men under 4:30. Awards will go three deep in each age group and category, with special trophies given to the high school and prize money given to the top three finishers in the invitational heats. The course will be fast.
PRIZE MONEY
The top three finishers in the Men's and Women's Invitational Heats will receive $250.00, $150.00, and $75.00 respectively.
TEAM COMPETITON
Three person (and more) teams.
* OPEN TEAMS: Each team can be composed of all ages and genders and will be scored on the age group place finish of the top three team members. The lowest score wins. Teams can be of three and more members. GREAT FOR FAMILIES, TRAINING PARTNERS, BUSINESSES, AND FRIENDS.
* UNDER AGE 19 TEAMS: All team members must be under 20 years old and can be of both genders. Team scores will be based on the age group finish of the top three members (12 and under, 13 - 15. 16 - 18). The lowest score wins. Teams can be of three and more members. GREAT FOR TEAMMATES, TRAINING PARTNERS, AND FRIENDS.
REGISTRATION FEES:
* Pre-registration Pricing - March 1st to June 18h: $30.00 (Includes Tee Shirt)
* No Tee Shirt Option for $25.00
* Registration after June 18: 35.00
* Discount Price of $15.00 for High School and under (1 - 18 years old)
EVENT TIMES:
* Early Packet Pickup (July 17, 2026 Friday) @ Mitten Running, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
* Race Day Packet Pickup Saturday July 18, 7:30 to 9:30
* Race Day Heats start at 8:30
* Awards available 30 minutes after heat finish
HEAT RACE TIME SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, JULY 16, HEAT SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE POSTED ON THIS WEB SITE AND EMAILED TO ALL REGISTERED RUNNER, AS WELL AS BEING POSTED AT THE RACE SITE ON SATURDAY.
* 8:30 60 & over
* 8:40 50 - 59
* 8:50 40 - 49
* 9:00 30 - 39
* 9:10 19 - 29
* 9:20 Grade School and Under
* 9:30 Middle School Girls
* 9:40 Middle School Boys
* 9:50 High School Girls 6:00 & over PR
* 10:00 High School Girls under 6:00 PR
* 10:10 High School Boys 5:00 & over PR
* 10:20 High School Boys 5:00 & under PR
* 10:30 Women's Invite, under 5:40 PR (or top 12 entry times)
* 10:40 Men's Invite, under 4:40 PR (or top 12 entry times)
Heat Adjustments
Should a heat become too large, or a heat become too small, they will be combined or split as appropriate. An updated heat schedule will be posted on this site no later than two days before the race date (July 18) and posted at race registration.
TEE SHIRTS:
* T-Shirts are guaranteed for pre-registration participants before June 25, 2025 . T-Shirt availability after July 6th will be on a "first come, first serve basis". Please register early!!
AGE DIVISIONS AND AWARDS:
* Overall Male, Female, High School Boy, High School Girl
* Age Division Awards (Male and Female): 12 and Under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over, and non-binary
TIMING AND SCORING:
Timing and scoring will be done by T&H Timing. Results will be LIVE and posted during the event.
PARKING
PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE WMU SOCCER FIELD LOT WITHIN A HALF MILE OF THE START LINE.
SPONSOR
THE MITTEN RUNNING COMPANY
AMOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY
GORDONS WATER
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
July 18, 2026 (Saturday)
EVENT LOCATION
WMU Business Tech Innovation Park
ABOUT THIS EVENT:
The start will be separated into age-group, high school, middle school, and invitational heats. The heats will start 10 minutes apart. The high school heats will be separated into two boy's heats of over 5:00 PRs and under 5:00 PRs, and the girl's heats of over 6:00 PRs and under 6:00 PRs. The invitational heats will be women under 5:30 and men under 4:30. Awards will go three deep in each age group and category, with special trophies given to the high school and prize money given to the top three finishers in the invitational heats. The course will be fast.
PRIZE MONEY
The top three finishers in the Men's and Women's Invitational Heats will receive $250.00, $150.00, and $75.00 respectively.
TEAM COMPETITON
Three person (and more) teams.
* OPEN TEAMS: Each team can be composed of all ages and genders and will be scored on the age group place finish of the top three team members. The lowest score wins. Teams can be of three and more members. GREAT FOR FAMILIES, TRAINING PARTNERS, BUSINESSES, AND FRIENDS.
* UNDER AGE 19 TEAMS: All team members must be under 20 years old and can be of both genders. Team scores will be based on the age group finish of the top three members (12 and under, 13 - 15. 16 - 18). The lowest score wins. Teams can be of three and more members. GREAT FOR TEAMMATES, TRAINING PARTNERS, AND FRIENDS.
REGISTRATION FEES:
* Pre-registration Pricing - March 1st to June 18h: $30.00 (Includes Tee Shirt)
* No Tee Shirt Option for $25.00
* Registration after June 18: 35.00
* Discount Price of $15.00 for High School and under (1 - 18 years old)
EVENT TIMES:
* Early Packet Pickup (July 17, 2026 Friday) @ Mitten Running, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
* Race Day Packet Pickup Saturday July 18, 7:30 to 9:30
* Race Day Heats start at 8:30
* Awards available 30 minutes after heat finish
HEAT RACE TIME SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, JULY 16, HEAT SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE POSTED ON THIS WEB SITE AND EMAILED TO ALL REGISTERED RUNNER, AS WELL AS BEING POSTED AT THE RACE SITE ON SATURDAY.
* 8:30 60 & over
* 8:40 50 - 59
* 8:50 40 - 49
* 9:00 30 - 39
* 9:10 19 - 29
* 9:20 Grade School and Under
* 9:30 Middle School Girls
* 9:40 Middle School Boys
* 9:50 High School Girls 6:00 & over PR
* 10:00 High School Girls under 6:00 PR
* 10:10 High School Boys 5:00 & over PR
* 10:20 High School Boys 5:00 & under PR
* 10:30 Women's Invite, under 5:40 PR (or top 12 entry times)
* 10:40 Men's Invite, under 4:40 PR (or top 12 entry times)
Heat Adjustments
Should a heat become too large, or a heat become too small, they will be combined or split as appropriate. An updated heat schedule will be posted on this site no later than two days before the race date (July 18) and posted at race registration.
TEE SHIRTS:
* T-Shirts are guaranteed for pre-registration participants before June 25, 2025 . T-Shirt availability after July 6th will be on a "first come, first serve basis". Please register early!!
AGE DIVISIONS AND AWARDS:
* Overall Male, Female, High School Boy, High School Girl
* Age Division Awards (Male and Female): 12 and Under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over, and non-binary
TIMING AND SCORING:
Timing and scoring will be done by T&H Timing. Results will be LIVE and posted during the event.
PARKING
PARKING WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE WMU SOCCER FIELD LOT WITHIN A HALF MILE OF THE START LINE.
SPONSOR
THE MITTEN RUNNING COMPANY
AMOUR PHYSICAL THERAPY
GORDONS WATER
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Races
-
KAR 1-Mile Challenge
Incl. $3.60 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 18th July 2026 (8:30AM EDT)
$38.60
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WMU Business Tech Innovation Park, Intersection of Drake Road and Parkview Road, Engineering Drive, Kalamazoo, 49008, MI, United States
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