KAR 1-Mile Challenge
- Date Sat 18th July 2026
- Time 8:30AM EDT
- Location Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Price $33.30
- Races 1 race
- Distances 1 Mile
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day of speed and competition at the KAR 1-Mile Challenge, taking place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the WMU Business Tech Innovation Park in Kalamazoo! This exciting event features a series of heats divided by age groups, including high school and middle school divisions, ensuring a thrilling atmosphere for both participants and spectators. Runners will race on a fast course, with heats commencing at 9:00 AM and continuing in 10-minute intervals. The invitational heats offer a chance for elite athletes to shine, with prize money awarded to the top three finishers in both men's and women's categories.
The KAR 1-Mile Challenge is perfect for families, training partners, and friends, featuring team competitions for all ages. Participants can register in advance for just $30, which includes a guaranteed event t-shirt for pre-registrants. With awards presented in various divisions, including overall male, female, and high school categories, every runner has a chance to shine! Join us in Kalamazoo for a day filled with excitement, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories on July 18, 2026!
The KAR 1-Mile Challenge is perfect for families, training partners, and friends, featuring team competitions for all ages. Participants can register in advance for just $30, which includes a guaranteed event t-shirt for pre-registrants. With awards presented in various divisions, including overall male, female, and high school categories, every runner has a chance to shine! Join us in Kalamazoo for a day filled with excitement, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories on July 18, 2026!
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) @
* Race Day Packet Pickup Saturday July 18, 7:30 to 9:30
* Race Day Heats start at 9:00
* Awards available 30 minutes after heat finish
HEAT RACE TIME SCHEDULE:
* 8:30 60 & over
* 8:40 50 - 59
* 8:50 40 - 49
* 9:00 30 - 39
* 9:10 19 - 29
* 9:20 10 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
* 10:40 Men's Invite, under 4:40 PR
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!!
A,GE 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
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) @
* Race Day Packet Pickup Saturday July 18, 7:30 to 9:30
* Race Day Heats start at 9:00
* Awards available 30 minutes after heat finish
HEAT RACE TIME SCHEDULE:
* 8:30 60 & over
* 8:40 50 - 59
* 8:50 40 - 49
* 9:00 30 - 39
* 9:10 19 - 29
* 9:20 10 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
* 10:40 Men's Invite, under 4:40 PR
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!!
A,GE 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
Races
-
KAR 1-Mile Challenge
Incl. $3.30 Fee & T-Shirt
Sat 18th July 2026 (8:30AM EDT)
$33.30
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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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KAR 1-Mile Challenge
