KAR 1-Mile Challenge
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
KAR 1-Mile Challenge
The KAR 1-Mile Challenge takes place July 18, 2026, at WMU Business Tech Innovation Park in Kalamazoo, MI. The event centers on a one-mile running race organized into multiple heats by age group, middle school, high school, and invitational categories. Heats are scheduled 10 minutes apart and may be combined or split if needed; an updated heat schedule will be posted no later than two days before the race and will be available at registration.
High school heats are separated by personal-record thresholds for boys and girls, and invitational heats are reserved for top-performing men and women. Awards are given three deep in each age group and category, with special trophies for high school divisions. Prize money for the top three finishers in each invitational heat is $250, $150, and $75.
The event includes team competition for teams of three or more. Open Teams may include all ages and genders and are scored on the age-group place finishes of the top three team members; Under Age 19 Teams require members to be under 20 and are scored similarly. Timing and live results are provided by T&H Timing. Pre-registration pricing and options are listed for different entry types, including a pre-registration fee that includes a T-shirt and a reduced price for high school and younger participants. Parking is available in the WMU Soccer Field lot within a half mile of the start line. Sponsors include The Mitten Running Company, Amour Physical Therapy, and Gordons Water. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
