43rd Annual Draper Mile (2025)

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

Join us for the 43rd 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 2025 Race Series presented by Skip Slocum and Associates, Roots Realty Group.

🏁 Course Details

• Course Layout: 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.
• Time Advantage: Finish times are approximately 10–12 seconds faster than a track mile.
• Course Map: View here.
• Milestone Indicators: 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.

👦 Adjust NRV 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

• Packet Pickup: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at RunAbout Sports.
• Evening Packet Pickup: 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM at Kent Square (corner of Draper and Washington).
• Kids Fun Run: 6:20 PM presented by Adjust NRV.
• Elite Races: 6:30 PM Men's Elite Mile, 6:35 PM Women's Elite Mile, 6:40 PM Open Mile.
• Awards Ceremony: 7:20 PM in parking lot at Draper Rd and Jackson St.

🏆 Race Divisions

• Men's Elite: sub 6-minute mile.
• Women's Elite: sub 7-minute 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.

• $500.00: 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 (choose between free shoe gift certificate or $100).
• Free shoe gift certificate: from RunAbout Sports - 3rd place overall male & female (get what 2nd place does not choose).

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.

💲 Draper Mile Costs

• Through July 25: $21.00
• July 26 to July 31: $25.00
• Race Day: $30.00

🤝 Volunteer

Not racing but would like to help out? Volunteer as a course marshal or lead bike here!