KAR 1-Mile Challenge

Event Date:

July 18, 2026 (Saturday)

Event Location
WMU Business Tech Innovation Park

About This Event:

The start will be separated into age-group, high school, middle school, and invitational heats.  The heats will start 10 minutes apart.  The high school heats will be separated into two boy's heats of over 5:00 PRs and under 5:00 PRs, and the girl's heats of over 6:00 PRs and under 6:00 PRs.  The invitational heats will be women under 5:30 and men under 4:30.   Awards will go three deep in each age group and category, with special trophies given to the high school and prize money given to the top three finishers in the invitational heats. The course will be fast.  

Prize Money

The top three finishers in the Men's and Women's Invitational Heats will receive $250.00, $150.00, and $75.00 respectively.

Team Competiton

      Three person (and more) teams.

       *  Open Teams: Each team can be composed of all ages and genders and will be scored on the age group place finish of the top three team members.  The lowest score wins.  Teams can be of three and more members.  Great for families, training partners, businesses, and friends.

       * Under Age 19 Teams: All team members must be under 20 years old and can be of both genders.  Team scores will be based on the age group finish of the top three members (12 and under, 13 - 15. 16 - 18). The lowest score wins.  Teams can be of three and more members.  Great for teammates, training partners, and friends.

Registration Fees:

• Pre-registration Pricing - March 1st to June 18h: $30.00 (Includes Tee Shirt)
• No Tee Shirt Option for $25.00
• Registration after June 18: 35.00
• Discount Price of $15.00 for High School and under (1 - 18 years old)
   
  

Event Times:

• Early Packet Pickup (July 17, 2026 Friday) @ 
• Race Day Packet Pickup Saturday July 18, 7:30 to 9:30
• Race Day Heats start at 9:00
• Awards available 30 minutes after heat finish
   
  

Heat Race Time Schedule:

• 8:30  60 & over
• 8:40  50 - 59
• 8:50  40 - 49
• 9:00  30 - 39
• 9:10  19 - 29
• 9:20  10 and under
• 9:30 Middle School Girls
• 9:40 Middle School Boys
• 9:50 High School Girls 6:00 & over PR
• 10:00  High School Girls under 6:00 PR
• 10:10  High School Boys 5:00 & over PR
• 10:20  High School Boys 5:00 & under PR
• 10:30  Women's Invite, under 5:40 PR
• 10:40  Men's Invite, under 4:40 PR

      Heat Adjustments

            Should a heat become too large, or a heat become too small, they will be combined or split as appropriate.  An updated heat schedule will be posted on this site no later than two days before the race date (July 18) and posted at race registration.

Tee Shirts:

• T-Shirts are guaranteed for pre-registration participants before June 25, 2025 .  T-Shirt availability after July 6th will be on a "first come, first serve basis".   Please register early!!

A,ge Divisions and Awards:

• Overall Male, Female, High School Boy, High School Girl
• Age Division Awards (Male and Female): 12 and Under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over, and non-binary
   

Timing and Scoring:
Timing and scoring will be done by T&H Timing. Results will be LIVE and posted during the event.

Parking

Parking will be available in the WMU Soccer Field lot within a half mile of the start line.  

Sponsor

       The Mitten Running Company

       Amour Physical Therapy

       Gordons Water

Join fellow runners on July 18, 2026 for the KAR 1-Mile Challenge. It's a fantastic 1.6K featuring a flat and fast course in Kalamazoo.