Running a mile is something that practically everyone has done at some point in their life. If you played sports, sometimes it was part of the conditioning to prepare for the upcoming season. In elementary school, you have to do it during the gym session.

Considered a “middle distance” event, it’s not something you see very often once elementary school is over. As you get older, people are half and full marathoners running for competitions.

But there are still plenty of places around the United States that keep the mile-long race alive and well. It takes different preparation for a mile, because you don’t need months of preparation and fuel; people just go out and do their best.

Which are the best to attend? Matthew Huff from Runner’s World shared by the best you can plan for 2025 and make trips out of.

The first in the Millennium Mile in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Held on New Year’s Day, a nice perk is that you don’t have to wake up early from the previous night’s festivities.

With a start time of 2 p.m., you can sleep in and recover a bit. The course is straightforward and there are prizes for the fastest mile and whoever reaches the quarter pole also marks fastest.

On March 16, 2025, the Spirit Run Mile will be held in Newport Beach, California. A run with St. Patrick’s Day theme, people dress up to celebrate the holiday which also includes a 5K run. Both run around Fashion Island.

Be sure to wear green otherwise, you will leave sore not from the run but from all the squeezes you will endure.

Another race with St. Patrick’s Day-themed event held in Chicago, Illinois on March 22, 2025, called the Shamrock Shuffle Mile. Witness the green-tinged waters of the Chicago River for this race before enjoying some green beer and a well-deserved reward.

See Grant Park, the city skyline and Lake Michigan along the course.

On April 22, 2025, the Grand Blue Mile event will be held in Des Moines, Iowa. Hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield, it is held in the evening, which is rare for running, with a start time of 18.00.

This race is so popular that Olympic medalists have been among the over 50,000 participants.

The Mile of Truth, held on May 4, 2025, in Danville, California, is part of the Devil Mountain Run. The names are more frightening than the actual events, as the town is located near Mount Diablo, which is where the name comes from.

Two laps of a half-mile track are run in heats based on gender and age to avoid overcrowding. There is a prize available for anyone who can set the record time; 4:13 for men and 4:15 for women.