Yakima To Host Downtown Race For Fun, Prizes & Inspiration

The evening of fun in the sun for the run is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 2019 with runners of all ages and abilities taking over Yakima Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Virginia Mason Memorial Downtown Yakima Mile benefits the Yakima School District and is a timed one-mile race that opens a 14-block gradual downhill stretch of Yakima Avenue from just east of 16th Avenue east to the shadow of the Larson Building.

The event features 11 heats for runners of all ages and abilities -- from elite athletes to tiny tots -- with more than $25,000 in prizes for elite milers.

Through the financial backing of Virginia Mason Memorial, the race is free for runners under 18 years old with adults asked to pay a $25 registration fee.

The idea for the event began years ago with Chris Waddle, co-owner of Hogback Development Co., and Erik Mickelson, CEO of Howard’s Medical supply and founder of Sun City Harriers track and cross country club. Waddle and Mickelson, former college track competitors, wanted to create a local premier running event to highlight the beauty of the Yakima Valley.

The event has been recognized as one of the top U.S. road-mile events for 2019 and has been included on the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour. The prize purse for the six Tour events is $125,000, plus an additional $10,000 for Grand Prix athletes.

The Virginia Mason Memorial Downtown Yakima Mile will be a competitive running event unlike any the Yakima area has seen before with event technology such as drones and LED video screens that will allow participants and spectators to experience the event at every level.

The race committee invites the nation’s best runners to Yakima for the inaugural Virginia Mason Memorial Downtown Yakima Mile.

Visit https://www.yakimamile.com for more information.