
From the Organizer
EXMI Presents “The One Mile Challenge”
THE RACE WILL BE HOSTED AT THE VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA PAVILION OFF of CUMBERLAND DRIVE
Run a Flat Mile Course in a competitive WAVE start race against your age group peers. All Competitive Race Entries must be able to complete a mile in 15 minutes or less. See the course map for details of the starting and finishing locations.
This is event # 7 in the Race the Region Racing Series. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RACE THE REGION SERIES
Custom Finishers Medal, Custom Finishers Certificate, Live results via text and email messaging, race course will be clearly marked and all turns will have directional signs.
COST:
Early Registration on or before 7/7 $30 - 1 Mile Challenge Entry
Late Registration 7/8/ - 7/10 $35 - 1 Mile Challenge Entry
Race Day Registration - $40
Must Register by June 24th to guarantee shirt.
Participants can choose the no race shirt option and save $5
Online registration will remain open until 5:30PM on race day. People wishing to register on race day may do so on their mobile device or from home before heading to the race. There will be no on-site registration on race day.
PACKET PICK UP ~ Early packet pick up will be available from July 9th and 10th - 10am - 6pm, and July 11th from 10AM-3PM at the Extra Mile Fitness Company, 3400 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46383. Race day packet pick up at the race site will open on race day at 4PM at the Valparaiso Family YMCA PAVILION Off of CUMBERLAND AVE. To avoid long lines at the race site and potentially missing your race starting time we highly encourage participants pick up their race packets in advance.
Custom Unique Overall & Age Group Awards – Top Overall Male & Female, Top Masters Male & Female,
Top 3 male and female in the following age groups: 10 & Under, 11–12, 13–14, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45-49, 50–54,
55-59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75 and up
Participants will start in waves according to age on the following schedule:
Ages 9-13 and any boy or girl in this age category that will not be enrolled in High School this fall - 6:00PM
Ages 8 and under - 6:05PM
Ages 60 and over - 6:20PM
Ages 50 to 59 - 6:30PM
Ages 40 to 49 - 6:40PM
Ages 30 to 39 - 6:50PM
Ages 19 to 29 and anyone in this age category who will not be enrolled in High School - 7:00PM
High School Girl's (ages 13-18 and anyone who will be attending High School this fall) - 7:10PM
High School Boy's (ages 13-18 and anyone who will be attending High School this fall) - 7:20PM
We will be recording the starting time for each participant. Your time will be the net time from start to finish.
*** MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL CHALLENGE****
Race the Region wants to support local High School and Middle School running. Race the Region and The Extra Mile Fitness Company will make a donation to the Boy's Cross Country programs to the top three high schools with the most male students that participate, and a donation to the Girl's Cross Country programs the top three high schools with the most female students participating. The middle school with the most total number of students participating will also receive a donation to their schools running programs. *School totals will be calculated after 5PM the day before the race. Students must be registered for the race before that time in order to count towards their school's participation total.
Events
Weather
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
83°
Typical Low
63°
Chance of Rain
30%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Valparaiso Wtr Wks, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
34,377
as of 2023
Elevation
746 ft
Nearest Airport
GYY
Gary/Chicago International Airport · 20 mi
Major Hub
MDW
Chicago Midway International Airport · 41 mi
Time Zone
Central 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
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at The EXMI One Mile Challenge, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
33
Days to train
Coming Up
Valparaiso Extra Mile Youth Running Camp
Less than a mile away
Portage Extra Mile Youth Running Camp
8 miles away
2026 Midwest Region Classic
Less than a mile away
Hoofin' it for Ag 5K
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
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.
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)
The EXMI One Mile Challenge
Jul 11, 2026