Events
Race Details
Join us for the 43rd annual Draper Mile: a 1-mile downhill road race held in conjunction with the Steppin’ Out Festival! Join us for an exciting racing atmosphere and speedy times in an event that highlights the New River Valley's amazing running community.
The Draper Mile is the 7th race in the 2025 Race Series presented by Skip Slocum and Associates, Roots Realty Group. The course is mostly downhill, starting and ending on Draper Road in Blacksburg, with the finish in the middle of the street festival. Times are about 10–12 seconds faster than for a track mile.
The Draper Mile has a long and storied history within the Blacksburg community. The first Draper Mile was in 1982, with 97 participants. In 2024 there was record 365 participants. Join us in 2025 to make this year's Draper Mile the best one yet!
Register before 11:59pm on July 20th to guarantee a race shirt in your preferred size! Those who register after July 20th can choose from remaining sizes while quantities last.
Race Schedule
Friday August 1 (Race Day)
- 2:00 PM - 6:15 PM: Packet pickup at RunAbout Sports
- 6:20 PM: Kids Fun Run (Kent Square)
- 6:30 PM: Men's Elite Mile
- 6:35 PM: Women's Elite Mile
- 6:40 PM: Open Mile Heat 1 (mixed gender, under 8 min mile)
- 6:45 PM : Open Mile Heat 2 (mixed gender, over 8 min mile)
- ~7:30 PM: Awards Ceremony in parking lot at Draper Rd and Jackson St
Race Divisions
- Men's Elite: 5:30 mile or faster
- Women's Elite: 7:00 mile or faster
- Open Heat 1: mixed gender, 8 min mile or faster
- Open Heat 2: mixed gender, over 8 min mile
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.
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.
Course Profile
Course Records and History
The first Draper Mile was in 1982 with 97 participants.
Draper Mile history kept by the Blacksburg Striders
The top 10 all-time lists are based on gun time
Top 10 Male All-Time List
Place |
Name |
Year |
Time |
| 1 | Ben Nagel | 2025 | 3:51.45 |
| 2 | Willy Fink | 2018 | 3:53.23 |
| 3 | Gary Cobb | 1987 | 3:54 |
| 4 | Willy Fink | 2023 | 3:57.13 |
| 5 | Abraham Kiplagat | 2018 | 3:57.27 |
| 6 | Willy Fink | 2022 | 3:59.17 |
| 7 | Steve Pinard | 1986 | 4:01 |
| T8 | Phil Kinslow | 1991 | 4:02 |
| T8 | Ben Cooke | 2000 | 4:02 |
| T10 | Ben Thomas | 1996 | 4:03 |
| T10 | Phil Kinslow | 1993 | 4:03 |
Top 10 Female All-Time List
Place |
Name |
Year |
Time |
| 1 | Carmen Graves | 2014 | 4:31.11 |
| 2 | Kyra Holland | 2025 | 4:34.29 |
| 3 | Carmen Graves | 2013 | 4:35.7 |
| 4 | Mary-Jayne Harrelson | 2004 | 4:37.6 |
| 5 | Amanda Smith | 2015 | 4:39.71 |
| 6 | Joanna Stevens | 2009 | 4:41.5 |
| 7 | Kathleen Stevens | 2009 | 4:42.7 |
| 8 | Catherine Garrison | 2025 | 4:44.28 |
| 9 | Joanna Stevens | 2010 | 4:45.6 |
| 10 | Karen Wierwille | 1982 | 4:46 |
Awards
Overall Awards
Only participants entered in the elite races are eligible for overall awards. In the case of ties, cash awards are split. Overall awards are based on gun time.
$500.00 for a course record *
$300- 1st place overall male & female
$200 - 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 (whichever 2nd place does not choose)
* Course record must be gun time
Masters, Grandmasters, Super Grandmasters
Masters, grandmasters, and super grandmasters awards come from the merged elite and open race results. Results are based on chip time
$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. Age group awards are based on chip time
Awards Ceremony
Awards will follow the final race (approximately 7:30 pm) on the corner of Jackson & Draper.
Contact Form
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Event Location
1470 S Main St
Ste 100
Blacksburg, VA 24060 US
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