Countdown to One! Running Race Challenge (Rochester)

Something new and exciting is coming to Rochester NY on Sunday, September 20, 2026 as we will offer the inaugural Countdown to ONE! challenge. This unique challenge is for those dedicated runners that like to push themselves a bit more than others. As a Countdown to ONE participant you will run as many single miles as you can based on the time requirements for each. The course is a 1 mile loop. The start/finish for each mile is the same.  All participants receive a finisher medal.

Here's how it works...

Each mile must be completed in less than the required time to advance to the next mile.  If you fail to complete any of the miles in the allotted time you're out of the competition. 

The first mile must be completed in 15 minutes or under, the second mile must be completed in 13 minutes or less, 3rd mile in 11 minutes or less, 4th mile in 10 minutes or less. These 4 miles make up the Bronze category.  You must complete all 4 miles under the time cut offs to earn a bronze pin that can be attached to your medal.

The next wave would be the Silver category, 9 1/2, 9, 8 1/2 and 8 minute miles. You must complete all 8 miles under the time cut offs to earn the Silver pin to attach to your medal.

If you're still standing, it's onto the Gold category, 7 1/2, 7, 6 1/2 and 6 minute miles. You must complete all 12 miles under the time cut offs to earn the gold pin to attach to your medal.

If we have to go beyond this to get to our last person standing we will continue to drop each mile time requirement by 30 seconds.  

If you finish any of the miles in under the required time to finish you are welcome to stretch, refuel and rest. There will be a one minute separation between each leg of this ultimate challenge.

As much as this is a competition to get to the last male and female standing, it's also a personal challenge for those not in the running to win it all. Set your goal, up your training and achieve your personal best!

All participants will receive a super cool and quite large finisher medal. Depending on the category you completed your last single mile successfully you will receive a pin to add to your finisher medal (Bronze, Silver, Gold).  

Top Male and top Female finishers will receive a cash prize of $125 (each)