15th Grand Blue Mile: USA Road Championships

15th Grand Blue Mile: USA Road Championships

Tues, April 23, 6:00pm

Des Moines, IA

The Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield returns to Grand Avenue on Tuesday evening, April 23 and again hosts the national road Mile championships. At the 2023 event, the first official road Mile world records, recognized by World Athletics, were set by Sam Prakel (WA), 4:01.21 and Nikki Hiltz (AZ), 4:27.97.

The 15th edition will award a $25,000 USA Championship prize purse, going 10-deep ($5000 national champion, $2500 national runner-up, $1500, $1250, $1000, $500, $300, $200, $150 and $100) plus $2500 for an event record (see below).

The Grand Blue Mile - Your Race. Your Pace. Your Mile. - is the Midwest’s premier community street run for all ages & abilities, and with 7 heats and 1,600-plus finishers, the event is the 5th largest timed, competitive U.S. road Mile. Held annually in Des Moines, Iowa, since 2010, the Grand Blue Mile has hosted more than 45,000 participants from 47 states, six countries and four continents. Among those participants: Olympic medalists, American & world record holders, national champions and many of the world’s finest track & field athletes.

The Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Drake Relays partnership event has also been recognized as one of America’s top Mile races by Shape Magazine and featured across track & field media. The long U-shaped road course, run in downtown Des Moines, is USATF-certified.

 

The Grand Blue Mile is also a BBTM Featured Event, showcasing America's best Mile races throughout the year.

For the 8th straight year, the Grand Blue Mile will host the prestigious USA 1 Mile Road Championships after previously hosting the national championships in 2013-14.

EVENT / COURSE RECORDS
3:56.97 Vince Ciattei (AZ), 2024
4:27.97 Nikki Hiltz (AZ), 2023, also USA Championship record

2024 USA Road Champions
Vince Ciattei (AZ), 3:57, course record & second road Mile national title
Rachel McArthur (VA), 4:33, first national title

Elite athlete contact, Blake Boldon, Drake Relays Director: blake.boldon@drake.edu

Event Website




Back to Event Calendar

News

Ciattei, McArthur claim USA titles at Grand Blue Mile

April 23, 2024

Men's repeat champion crushes course record, just misses road Mile world record; women's champion celebrates debut road Mile

Contributed by Keenan Gray for USATF

DES MOINES, Iowa – Vincent Ciattei set out for redemption, while Rachel McArthur was there to prove her worth at the 15th Grand...

Read More comments

Elite Fields set for USATF 1 Mile Road Championships at the Grand Blue Mile

April 17, 2024

Past national champions Ciattei, Lipari, Smith headline in the title and $25,000 prize money chase in downtown Des Moines on World Record Way

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – The USA Track & Field 1 Mile Road Championships, hosted as part of the Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue...

Read More comments

The Best Mile Moments of 2023

December 29, 2023

Record event prize money awarded; record four U.S. high schoolers sub-4 in same race; Nuguse blasts U.S. indoor & outdoor Mile records; Kipyegon shatters women’s outdoor Mile record, Hiltz U.S. record; official road Mile world records recognized, inaugural road Mile World Championship and more!

...
Read More comments

Road Mile world records ratified for Hiltz and Prakel

September 22, 2023

The inaugural records were set at the 2023 Grand Blue Mile in Des Moines, Iowa

From World Athletics

The winning times from this year’s USA Road Mile Championships – 4:27.97 for Nikki Hiltz and 4:01.21 for Sam Prakel – have been ratified as the inaugural world records for the road Mile.

The...

Read More comments

Hiltz, Prakel win second USATF 1 Mile Road Championship titles

April 25, 2023

Hiltz sets event and USA Championship records at Grand Blue Mile; $27,500 prize purse awarded

From USATF

DES MOINES – It was an evening of big finishes in Des Moines on Tuesday evening, as Nikki Hiltz and Sam Prakel kicked to victory at the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships hosted by the 14th...

Read More comments

Four past champions return to USATF 1 Mile Road Championships

April 11, 2023

Grand Blue Mile hosts national title tilt for seventh straight year; $25,000 prize purse with $5000 for each national champion

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The USA Track & Field 1 Mile Road Championships, hosted as part of the Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue...

Read More comments

Registration open for the 2023 Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark

February 14, 2023

Two-day flash sale $10 registration for 14th edition, a Midwest spring tradition

From Grand Blue Mile / Wellmark

Registration for the 2023 Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® opens today with a two-day, $10 flash sale. Again, this year, registrants have the...

Read More comments

The Best Mile Moments of 2022

December 30, 2022

Nick Willis’ record 20th consecutive year sub-4, annual record of first U.S. sub-4 shattered, annual record of U.S. high school sub-4s (5 individuals, 7 times), event prize money increases 34%, official road Mile world championship & world record category announced and more!

By Ryan Lamppa,...

Read More comments

Lipari, Ciattei win thrilling USATF 1 Mile Road titles at Grand Blue Mile

April 26, 2022

National championship race awards $25,000 with $5000 to each USA champion

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES — The Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield returned to downtown Des Moines on a beautiful Tuesday evening, for the first time since 2019, and the event again hosted...

Read More comments

Grand Blue Mile Fields Taking Shape for USATF 1 Mile Road Championships

April 23, 2022

Past race champions Murphy, Lipari, Follett returning to the streets of Des Moines; $25,000 prize purse with $5000 for each national champion

From Grand Blue Mile

DES MOINES - Grand Blue Mile officials from Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® and the Drake Relays presented by Xtream...

Read More comments

USATF 1 Mile Road Championships return to Grand Blue Mile

April 04, 2022

Three past national champions, Clayton Murphy, Emily Lipari & Katie Follet, are early entrants; $25,000 national championships prize purse available

From Grand Blue Mile

DES MOINES - Grand Blue Mile officials from Wellmark Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® and Drake Relays presented by Xtream...

Read More comments

Avila, Schneider Capture USATF 1 Mile Road Championship Crowns

April 21, 2021

First time national titlists pocket $3000 each in Des Moines; $15,000 overall awarded to the top 10

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa — In exciting races, rising stars Eric Avila and Rachel Schneider captured the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships presented by Toyota Wednesday night on the...

Read More comments

Engels, Kampf, Murphy Headline Fields at USATF 1 Mile Road Championships

April 20, 2021

The USA Championship prize purse totals $15,000 and goes 10 deep with $3000 to each national champion

From USATF

DES MOINES, Iowa – USATF champions, World Championship qualifiers and an Olympic medalist headline Wednesday’s fields at the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships presented by Toyota...

Read More comments

Q&A with Blake Boldon

April 09, 2021

This year, our ability to successfully execute the Drake Relays, the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships again and also the Virtual Grand Blue Mile with a standing LOC ready to host is deeply embedded in our culture.

By Bring Back the Mile

We recently had a chat with Blake Boldon, Franklin P....

Read More comments

Drake Relays, Grand Blue Mile to Host USATF 1 Mile Road Championships

March 23, 2021

Prakel, Lipari to defend titles in Des Moines on Wednesday, April 21; $15,000 prize purse available

From Drake Relays

Once again, Des Moines will host the USA Track & Field (USATF) 1 Mile Road Championships presented by Toyota, with some of the world's most elite runners competing for a...

Read More comments

Registration for the 2021 Virtual Grand Blue Mile now open

February 26, 2021

Complete Your Race - Your Pace - Your Place between April 17 and 25, 2021; an entry fee of just $10 includes bib and GBM event shirt

From Grand Blue Mile

Registration has opened for the 2021 Grand Blue Mile presented by Wellmark® Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®. Officials from Wellmark and the...

Read More comments

Prakel, Lipari win USA 1 Mile Road titles

August 29, 2020

Three men go sub-4; Lipari sets national championship record

Report from USATF

DES MOINES, Iowa – At a rare 2020 USA Championship, thanks to the Drake Blue Oval Showcase presented by Mediacom, Sam Prakel and Emily Lipari won USATF 1 Mile Road Championship crowns, clocking 3 minutes, 58.3...

Read More comments

Past champions, rising stars headline USA Mile Road Championship

August 21, 2020

Drake Blue Oval Showcase presented by Mediacom hosts title tilt with stadium finish; $10,000 prize purse

From Drake Relays

Despite a four-month postponement, Des Moines will reprise its role as the host of the USA Track & Field 1 Mile Road Championship when the nation's best Milers compete...

Read More comments

Grand Blue Mile awarded USATF 1 Mile Road Championships from 2020-23

February 20, 2020

Past national champions Hurt, Masters, Lipari & Kampf commit to 2020 race on Tuesday evening, April 21; $30,000 prize purse available

From Grand Blue Mile

DES MOINES, Iowa - Grand Blue Mile officials from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Drake Relays have announced the USA Track &...

Read More comments

The Best Mile Moments of 2019

December 20, 2019

Longstanding indoor and outdoor Mile world records broken; Herrera & Kampf BBTM Grand Prix Tour champions and more BBTM Effect!

By Ryan Lamppa, Bring Back the Mile

The Bring Back the Mile campaign was launched in January 2012 to elevate & celebrate the storied distance, and over the past 8...

Read More comments

Bring Back the Mile announces Tour 2019 Best Moments winners

October 16, 2019

Four Mile maniacs also win Tour presenting sponsor Running Warehouse $50 gift cards and BBTM swag

Bring Back the Mile, the campaign to elevate & celebrate the iconic distance, has announced the BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2019 two "Best Moments" winners per gender. Click on the athlete name below for...

Read More comments

Herrera Defends, Kampf Recaptures BBTM Grand Prix Tour Titles

October 06, 2019

6th edition presented by Running Warehouse featured 5 stops awarding more than $110,000 plus a $10,000 GP purse

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – At the BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2019 finale, The Navy Mile, on a cloudy Sunday morning in Washington, DC, Daniel Herrera, 26, from New Orleans, LA, won the men’s...

Read More comments

Hurt, Hiltz Kick to Victory at USATF 1 Mile Road Championships

April 23, 2019

At Grand Blue Mile, event and championship record for Hiltz, men's photo finish; $27,500 prize purse awarded; also first stop on BBTM Grand Prix Tour presented by Running Warehouse

Contributed by Scott Bush, USATF, and Drake Athletic Communications

DES MOINES, Iowa – Deep fields led to...

Read More comments

Making the Most of Your Mile: Grand Blue Mile 10th Anniversary

April 21, 2019

Event again hosts USA 1 Mile Road Championships as well as BBTM Grand Prix Tour opener; Drake Relays event director Blake Boldon discusses its 10th anniversary, marketing innovations, elite fields, his pups and more!

By Bring Back the Mile

The USATF 1 Mile Road Championships return to...

Read More comments

Masters, Lipari Ready to Defend USA Titles at Grand Blue Mile

April 12, 2019

10th edition, first stop on the BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2019, offers $25,000 Open purse with $5000 for each national champion

Grand Blue Mile race officials have announced preliminary fields for the 2019 USATF 1 Mile Road Championships set for Tuesday, April 23, in downtown Des Moines. A world...

Read More comments

Grand Blue Mile Opens BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2019

March 26, 2019

6th Tour edition presented by Running Warehouse showcases 5 leading U.S. Mile races and top Mile athletes; total Tour prize purse exceeds $110,000

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Bring Back the Mile, the national campaign to elevate & celebrate the iconic distance, has announced the 6th edition of its...

Read More comments

National Road Championships return to Grand Blue Mile

March 24, 2019

Defending champions Riley Masters, Emily Lipari headline 10th event edition in Des Moines; $30,000 overall prize purse to be awarded

Grand Blue Mile (GBM) officials from Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Drake Relays announced the national Mile road championships will be returning in 2019...

Read More comments

The Best Mile Moments of 2018

December 20, 2018

Record annual prize money awarded exceeds $650,000; Herrera & Lipari BBTM Grand Prix Tour champions, greatest women’s Mile ever, BBTM Effect continues and more!

By Ryan Lamppa, Bring Back the Mile

Bring Back the Mile, since its first year in 2012, has compiled an annual highlight summary of...

Read More comments

Herrera Wins, Lipari Defends Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour

September 30, 2018

Grand prix tour with 6 stops awarded more than $125,000 plus $10,000 #Tour2018 GP purse; Eric Avila & Shannon Osika earn Tour Performance-of-the-Year bonus; fifth edition also featured Running Warehouse’s “Pick-the-Winner” online contest at every stop

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – (September 30,...

Read More comments

Ed Murphey Memphis Mile Joins Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2018

July 16, 2018

5th Tour edition features 6 stops offering a guaranteed Tour prize purse of $135,000; Running Warehouse’s fan engagement online contest at each Tour event

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Bring Back the Mile, the national campaign to elevate & celebrate the iconic distance, has announced that the Ed...

Read More comments

Masters, Lipari Win First USA Titles at Grand Blue Mile

April 24, 2018

9th event edition awards $25,000 national championship purse; first stop on the BBTM Grand Prix #Tour2018

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – In down-to-the-wire exciting finishes, Riley Masters and Emily Lipari bested their respective fields to win the 9th Grand Blue Mile, the USATF 1 Mile...

Read More comments

Making the Most of Your Mile: 2018 Grand Blue Mile

April 18, 2018

Event again hosts USA 1 Mile Road Championships as well as BBTM Grand Prix #Tour2018 opener; Drake Relays event director Blake Boldon discusses 2018 fields, shares what's new for this year and more!

By Bring Back the Mile

The USATF 1 Mile Road Championship returns to Des Moines for the second...

Read More comments

Top Fields Set for 2018 USATF 1 Mile Road Championships at Grand Blue Mile

April 12, 2018

Katie Mackey to defend women’s national title; $25,000 guaranteed national championship purse with $5000 for each national champion; also the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix #Tour2018 season opener

From Grand Blue Mile

DES MOINES, Iowa - Grand Blue Mile race officials have announced the fields...

Read More comments

Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour Announces 2018 Schedule

February 13, 2018

5th Tour edition with 5 stops offers total Tour prize purse of more than $110,000; Grand Blue Mile opens 2018 racing season on Tuesday, April 24 in Des Moines; Running Warehouse’s fan engagement online contest again tied to each Tour event

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Bring Back the Mile, the...

Read More comments

The Best Mile Moments of 2017

December 21, 2017

Record prize money awarded exceeds $500,000, Blankenship & Lipari win BBTM Grand Prix Tour titles, one more U.S. HSer sub-4, the brothers Ingebrigtsen make history, greatest women’s Mile ever and more highlight year

By Ryan Lamppa, Bring Back the Mile

Since the Bring Back the Mile launch in...

Read More comments

Blankenship, Lipari Win Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2017 Titles

October 01, 2017

Grand prix tour with 5 stops awarded more than $100,000 plus $10,000 #Tour2017 GP purse; Clayton Murphy & Emily Lipari earn Tour Performance-of-the-Year bonus; Running Warehouse’s “Pick-the-Winner” online contest at every stop for fourth edition

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – At the Bring Back the...

Read More comments

Murphy, Mackey Win USA Titles at Grand Blue Mile

April 25, 2017

2016 Olympic medalist Clayton Murphy also crushes course record with sub-4, earns $2500 bonus; first stop on the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix #Tour2017

By Scott Bush for USATF

DES MOINES - Close finishes defined the USATF 1 Mile Road Championships Tuesday evening in Des Moines, Iowa, as...

Read More comments

Making the Most of Your Mile: Grand Blue Mile

April 21, 2017

USA 1 Mile Road Championships returns to Des Moines, IA under the leadership of new Franklin P. Johnson Drake Relays Director Blake Boldon; $30,000 overall prize purse welcomes the country’s best Milers to the BBTM Grand Prix #Tour2017 opener

By Bring Back the Mile

One of only four sub-4...

Read More comments

USATF 1 Mile Road Championship Fields Announced for Grand Blue Mile

April 19, 2017

Event also kicks off the Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2017 in Des Moines; $25,000 national championship purse with $5000 for each national champion

DES MOINES - Grand Blue Mile race officials have announced the elite fields for the 2017 USA 1 Mile Road Championships set for Tuesday,...

Read More comments

Bring Back the Mile Grand Prix Tour 2017 Events Announced

February 16, 2017

4th Tour edition includes 5 stops; total Tour prize purse exceeds $110,000; Grand Blue Mile opens 2017 season on Tuesday, April 25 in Des Moines; Running Warehouse’s fan engagement contest also tied to each Tour event

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Bring Back the Mile, the national campaign to elevate...

Read More comments

USA Road Championships Return to Grand Blue Mile

February 06, 2017

Annual April event, part of historic Drake Relays, offers $25,000 national championship prize purse with $5000 for USA champion

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – Grand Blue Mile (GBM) officials from Wellmark and the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee announced the USA Track & Field 1 Mile...

Read More comments

Kampf Threepeats as Grand Blue Mile Champion

April 27, 2016

Noelle wins men's race; pair lead more than 3,500 runners through downtown course

From Drake Relays

DES MOINES, Iowa – Heather Kampf successfully defended her Grand Blue Mile title for the second straight year on Tuesday evening, winning the women's Mile invitational race in 4 minutes, 37.52...

Read More comments

Grand Blue Mile Defending Champions Set to Return

April 26, 2016

Top American middle-distance runners on display in Des Moines for $30,000 prize purse with $5000 for each race champion

From Drake Relays

Grand Blue Mile race officials announced a prestigious field of invitational championship participants in addition to the expected 3,500 recreational and...

Read More comments

Centrowitz Wins Over Manzano, Kampf Repeats at Grand Blue Mile

April 22, 2015

Matthew Centrowitz and Heather Kampf picked up $5000 for their road Mile wins, event record 5,000 participants at 6th edition event.

By LetsRun.com

DES MOINES, Iowa - (April 21, 2015) - The Drake Relays kicked off in grand style with the Grand Blue Mile Tuesday night in Des Moines. Matthew...

Read More comments

Grand Blue Mile Features ‘Dream’ Field of Running Royalty

April 06, 2015

Defending champions Manzano, Kampf to face formidable field including Lagat, Centrowitz, Leer, McNamara, Grunewald, Sifuentes and more; $30,000 overall prize purse for 6th edition

By Drake Athletics

Grand Blue Mile race officials today unveiled a prestigious field of invitational championship...

Read More comments

Grand Blue Mile Tapped to Host 2013-14 USA Men’s & Women’s 1 Mile Road Championships

March 25, 2013

By Katie Branham, USATF

INDIANAPOLIS – Grand Blue Mile (GBM) and USA Track & Field (USATF) officials today announced a two-year agreement that will bring the USA Men’s & Women’s 1 Mile Road Championships to Des Moines, Iowa, in 2013 and 2014 as part of the USA Running Circuit. The championships...

Read More comments

Sara Hall Claims Second Consecutive Grand Blue Mile

April 24, 2012

Peter van der Westhuizen takes first GBM crown

Courtesy: Drake Athletics

DES MOINES, Iowa - 2011 Pan Am Games gold medalist Sara Hall (far right) became the first two-time winner in the three-year history of the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday evening, outkicking Heather Kampf to repeat as...

Read More comments

Return the Mile to prominence on the American & worldwide sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a movement.

ELEVATE
Bring Back the Mile as the premier event in the sport, and increase interest in and media coverage of the Mile for both those who love the distance as well as the general public.

CELEBRATE
Bring Back the Mile to celebrate the storied distance and to recognize the people who made and make the Mile great and to promote Mile events and the next generation of U.S. Milers.

NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Bring Back the Mile to create a national movement for the Mile as America’s Distance,
to inspire Americans to run the Mile as part of their fitness program and to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Track & Field Meets across the country.

Become a Mile Maniac member or a BBTM sponsor today! Join us, and go Mile!

Join Us

Thanks for joining the movement and being a Mile Maniac. We'll keep you up to-date with our Mile wires as well as exclusive contests and opportunities. Help us spread the word by sharing our site and joining us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!