From the Organizer
What's one of the fastest ways to a 1 mile personal best? A downhill mile of course! Join us Friday evening for Kemper’s Downhill Mile. Fun, Downhill, and FAST are words that best describe this course. The event is the final event of the 2026 Lynchburg Road Runners Race Series.
THE LEGEND OF KEMPER the RABBIT
Sometime around 1912, the same year that the Kemper Street Train Station was opened by Southern Railway, local Lynchburg residents recall witnessing a certain rabbit chasing trains as they left the station. It wasn't long before that rabbit was given the name "Kemper". Some say Kemper was able to keep up with departing trains for almost a mile! If you are lucky to run the Kemper Street Trail extension early in the morning you might see a descendant or two of Kemper running right along side you.
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
85°
Typical Low
65°
Chance of Rain
38%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Lynchburg #2, 5 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Lynchburg, VA
Population
79,255
as of 2023
City Elevation
843 ft
Nearest Airport
LYH
Lynchburg Regional Airport - Preston Glenn Field · 4 mi
Major Hub
GSO
Piedmont Triad International Airport · 98 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 Kemper’s Downhill Mile, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
More Running races near Lynchburg, VA
Percival's Island Firecracker 5 Mile Race
8K / 5 Mile · From $30 · 1600 Concord Turnpike
1 mile away
LRRC Summer Movie Night
First Christian Church
2 miles away
VA 10 Miler Training Water Stops
10 Mile · 2480 Rivermont Ave.
2 miles away
25th Annual Amazing Mile Children's Run: Once Upon a Run
1 Mile · Other · From $15 · 27 Ninth Street
1 mile 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 an 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 Kemper’s Downhill Mile?
- Kemper’s Downhill Mile is a running race held in Lynchburg, Virginia on July 31, 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 Kemper’s Downhill Mile?
- Friday, July 31, 2026 in Lynchburg, Virginia at 825 Kemper Street. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Kemper’s Downhill Mile?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Kemper’s Downhill Mile
Jul 31, 2026