Event Description

Join us for the 42nd 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 2024 Race Series presented by Skip Slocum and Associates, 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 10–12 seconds faster than a track mile. | Course Map 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 participants receive a medal.

Race Schedule

Friday August 2 (Race Day)

• 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Packet pickup at RunAbout Sports
• 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Packet pickup at Kent Square (corner of Draper and Washington)
• 6:20 PM: Kids Fun Run presented by Adjust NRV
• 6:30 PM: Men's Elite Mile
• 6:35 PM: Women's Elite Mile
• 6:40 PM: Open Mile
• 7:20 PM: Awards Ceremony 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)

Masters, grandmasters, super grandmasters plus age group awards come from the merged elite and open race results

$50.00 - 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.

DRAPER MILE COSTS:

Before July 27 - $21.00

Before August 2nd - $25.00

August 2nd - $30.00

Volunteer

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

Course Records and History

The first Draper Mile was in 1982 with 97 participants.

Draper Mile history kept by the Blacksburg Striders

Top 10 Male

1. Willy Fink (2018) 3:53

2. Gary Cobb (1987) 3:54

3. Willy Fink (2023) 3:57.13

4. Abraham Kiplagat (2018) 3:57.27

5. Steve Pinard (1986) 4:01

6. Phil Kinslow (1991) 4:02

7. Ben Cooke (2000) 4:02

T8. Ben Thomas (1996) 4:03

T8. Phil Kinslow (1993) 4:03

T10. Pat Henner (1990) 4:04

T10. Ben Thomas (1997) 4:04

T10. Reid Sharkey (2021) 4:04

T10. Willy Fink (2017) 4:04

Top 10 Female

1. Carmen Graves  (2014) 4:31.1

2. Carmen Graves (2013) 4:35.7

3. Mary-Jayne Harrelson (2004) 4:37
4. Amanda Smith (2015) 4:39.7
5. Joanna Stevens (2009) 4:41.5
6. Kathleen Stevens (2009) 4:42.7
7. Joanna Stevens (2010) 4:45.6
8. Karen Wierwille (1982) 4:46
T9. Beth (Dillinger) Howell (1982) 4:48
T9. Kathleen Stevens (2011) 4:48
T9. Jennifer Fleming (2018) 4:48