The EXMI One Mile Challenge

One Mile Challenge 2025

“So Shines a Good Deed in a Weary World” – Willy Wonka

In the spirit of going the extra mile, The Extra Mile and Race the Region team up each year to host the One Mile Challenge, a meaningful event that’s more than just a race—it's an opportunity to inspire, empower, and uplift the next generation.

This annual event combines the love of running with the power of community, channeling its proceeds to local Cross Country programs. With over $7,000 raised each year, the challenge invests directly in area youth, enabling young runners to chase their potential on and off the cross country course.

By fostering a culture of fitness, teamwork, and perseverance, the One Mile Challenge makes a lasting difference, leaving a profound impact on youth and their communities alike.

It’s a testament to how a single mile can go far beyond the finish line—creating opportunities, cultivating dreams, and shining a light on the good deeds that unite us all.

Beyond these generous donations, the Extra Mile Fitness Company hosts a dynamic kids' camp every June in multiple communities. This camp not only prepares participants to run in the One Mile Challenge but also introduces them to the exciting world of cross country running within their local programs.

In 2024, the camp saw remarkable success, with over 500 young athletes participating, sparking a love for running and fostering connections in their communities. Through these efforts, the One Mile Challenge and Extra Mile Fitness Company continue to inspire the next generation of runners while strengthening local programs.

We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.” - Willy Wonka

Kids Camp Info

Perks and Awards

Registration Perks:

Early Registration (by June 23, 2025):** Ability to pick out a race shirt.
Late Registration:** Choose from available shirts or opt for no shirt.
5K Timed Run/Walk Participants:** Receive a finisher's medal.

Event Features:

Timing mats at the Starting Line and Chip Timing for Finish Results.
Live results via text and email messaging.
Directional signs at all turns.
No processing fee for online signup.
Finisher photo and video.

Awards:

Custom awards
Top Overall: Male and Female.
Top Masters: Male and Female.
Top 3 in Age Groups:
- 10 & under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69,70-74, 75 and up

Donations

Race the Region wants to support local High School and Middle School running. Race the Region and The Extra Mile Fitness Company will make a donation to the Boy's Cross Country programs to the top three high schools with the most male students that participate, and a donation to the Girl's Cross Country programs the top three high schools with the most female students participating. The middle school with the most total number of students participating will also receive a donation to their schools running programs. *School totals will be calculated after 5PM the day before the race. Students must be registered for the race before that time in order to count towards their school's participation total.

Award Collection:

Awards can be claimed within 14 days following the event at The Extra Mile Fitness Co., 3400 Calumet, Valparaiso, IN 46383.
Unclaimed awards after 14 days will be donated or recycled.
Race shirts not picked up on or before race day are not guaranteed.

Registration and Packet Pick Up

Online Registration: All participants are required to register online. Online registration will continue to be available until 6:00 p.m. on race day PRIOR to coming to the event. THERE WILL BE NO ON SITE REGISTRATION. REGISTRATION CLOSES PROMPTLY AT 6:00 P.M. ON JULY 10, 2025.
- PLEASE REFERENCE WAVE START TIMES
  - Early Registration until 6/23/2025 - $30 with shirt, $25 without shirt - shirt and size guaranteed.
  - Registration - 6/24/2025 until 7/09/2025 - $35 with shirt, $30 without shirt - size not guaranteed.
  - Race Day - 7/10/2025 - $40 with shirt, $35 without shirt - shirt and size not guaranteed.
Pre-Race Packet Pick Up:
- Dates: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. & Wednesday, July 9, 2025 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Location: Extra Mile Fitness Company, 3400 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383
Race Day Packet Pick Up:
- Starts: Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Extra Mile Fitness Company, 3400 Calumet Ave, Valparaiso, Indiana
- On Site: Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 5 p.m. at the YMCA Pavilion off of Cumberland Ave

Wave Start Times

Participants will start in waves according to age on the following schedule:

PLEASE NOTE EVERYONE MUST GO OFF IN THEIR APPROPRIATE AGE TO BE ELIGIABLE FOR A TIME AND AGE GROUP AWARDS.

6:30 PM - Ages 9-13 and any boy or girl in this age category that will not be enrolled in High School this fall

6:35 PM - Ages 8 and under

6:45 PM - Ages 60 and over - 6:45PM

6:55 PM - Ages 50 to 59 - 6:55PM

7:05 PM - Ages 40 to 49 - 7:05PM

7:15 PM - Ages 30 to 39 - 7:15PM

7:25 PM - Ages 19 to 29 and anyone in this age category who will not be enrolled in High School

7:35 PM - High School Girl's (ages 13-18 and anyone who will be attending High School this fall) - 7:35PM

7:45 PM - High School Boy's (ages 13-18 and anyone who will be attending High School this fall) - 7:45PM

We will be recording the starting time for each participant. Your time will be the net time from start to finish.

Race Map and Parking Area

Any questions? Contact us today!

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