44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)
- Date
- August 7, 2026
- Location
- 1470 S Main St, Blacksburg, VA
- Distance
- Draper Mile · Kids Fun Run
From the Organizer
Join us for the 44th 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 2026 RunAbout Sports Race Series presented by 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.
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.
Race Schedule
Friday August 7 (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 (women and men under 8 mins)
- 6:45 PM: Open Mile Heat 2 (women and men over 8 mins)
- 7:20 PM: Awards Ceremony in parking lot at Draper Rd and Jackson St
Race Divisions
- Men's Elite: sub 5:30 mile
- Women's Elite: sub 7:00 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 for a course record (3:52 or faster for men's winner and 4:30 or faster for women's winner).
$300 - 1st place overall male & female
$200 - 2nd place overall male & female (choose between free shoe gift certificate or $200)
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 - 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.
Volunteer
Not racing but would like to help out? Volunteer as a course marshal or lead bike here!
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
82°
Typical Low
60°
Chance of Rain
40%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Blacksburg Nwso, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Blacksburg, VA
Population
45,288
as of 2023
Elevation
2,155 ft
Nearest Airport
ROA
Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport · 25 mi
Major Hub
GSO
Piedmont Triad International Airport · 82 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at 44th Annual Draper Mile (2026), put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
60
Days to train
- Race
- 44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)
- Date
- August 7, 2026
- Location
- 1470 S Main St, Blacksburg, VA
Coming Up
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Waldron Fitness 5K/ Shawsville Independence Day
5K
9 miles away
High Performance Distance Academy
Less than a mile away
Salem Distance Run
19 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the 44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)?
- 44th Annual Draper Mile (2026) is a running race held in Blacksburg, Virginia on August 7, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the 44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)?
- Friday, August 7, 2026 in Blacksburg, Virginia at 1470 S Main St, Blacksburg, VA. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the 44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
44th Annual Draper Mile (2026)
Aug 7, 2026