Friday, Aug 1, 2025 at 6:20pm
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!
Race Schedule
Friday August 1 (Race Day)
2:00 PM - 6:00 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
7:20 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: all ages and abilities
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.
