The 15th Annual Carlisle Downtown Mile
The Carlisle Downtown Mile is a fundraiser for Employment Skills Center’s adult education and training programs. All of our programs and classes are offered free of charge. These programs include adult basic education, GED preparation, English as a Second Language, and workforce development trainings such as Nurse Aide, Customer Service, EMT, and Computer Skills training.
The Race
The original one-mile race course starts at the Subway Car Wash located at 900 West High Street in Carlisle and finishes near the intersection of West High and Pitt Street.
The Carlisle Downtown Mile is a one-mile USA Track and Field certified course on High Street in Carlisle, PA. The one-mile race begins at the Subway Car Wash near the corner of High and Orange Streets and ends near the corner of High Street and Court House Avenue.
Race Day Instructions
Event Timeline:
- 5:15PM – Packet pick-up and race day registration at Subway Carwash, 900 West High Street, Carlisle
- 6:15PM – Race begins with first wave of runners
- 7:30PM – Last wave of runners
RACE CATEGORIES
1. Just for Fun Run / Walk
Walk or run the course for fun. All participants 13 and under will receive a participation medal.
2. Age Group Races (Competitive)
This is a competitive age group race on the certified mile course on High Street.
Age Ranges:
- 10 and under
- 11 – 13 years old
- 14 – 19 years old
- 20 – 29 years old
- 30 – 39 years old
- 40 – 49 years old
- 50 – 59 years old
- 60 – 69 years old
- 70 & over
3. Team Challenge
Each member of the team (3-5 runners) runs the course. Team members do not have to run together.
The runners are chip-timed and the total time of the fastest 3 runners on each team will be used to determine team placement for category and overall awards.
Results will be posted at the finish in the following Team Challenge categories:
- Healthcare
- Non-Profit/Government
- Protect & Serve
- Business/Corporate
- Education
HEAT TIMES
The Fun Run/Walk is NOT a timed race. Runners/walkers will have ample time to get to the finish line. Please be aware that the next heat starts 20 minutes behind the fun run/walk start time.
The Age Group races ARE chip-timed on our USATF certified course. Please start at the time of your age group, arriving a few minutes early so you are ready to go! Races will be a gun start at the times below. Bathrooms will be available at the starting line!
6:15pm Just for Fun run/walk (not timed)
6:35pm Ages 19 and under
6:50pm Ages 20-39
7:05pm Ages 40 and over
7:20pm Team Challenge Race
RACE T-SHIRTS
All participants who register by May 3 will receive a 2026 Carlisle Downtown Mile t-shirt.
T-shirt & bib pick-up will be May 20 from 11:00am-5:00pm at Appalachian Running Company (ARC) in Carlisle. Race bibs can also be picked up on race day; however, we recommend you pick up your bib at ARC to limit wait times.
FEES
| Early Bird (Jan 24 - Mar 29) | Mar 30 - May 20 | Race Day (May 21) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | $25 | $30 | $32 |
| Children (13 & under) | $18 | $20 | $22 |
| Team | $120 | $140 | $150 |
POST RACE ACTIVITIES
There will be a Beer Garden for all participants who are 21 years and older. ID will be checked at the entrance, after you have completed your race! The beer garden is available for race participants with their race bib only. We are proud to support many local breweries at our beer garden.
Kids Alley will also be available for our younger racers. Sponsors and local nonprofit organizations will have kids activities including prizes, games, snacks and fun!
The awards ceremony will take place after the last race has concluded and final results are posted.
Race FAQs
Where is the race?
The 2026 Carlisle Downtown Mile is a one-mile run/walk down High Street in downtown Carlisle!
What are the run categories?
There are 5 different mile heats in the race schedule including nine different age categories, 5 different Team Challenge categories, and a Just for Fun Mile/Walk.
What is the Team Challenge all about?
Our team challenge is a great opportunity to have some friendly team competition with other organizations similar to yours. It is also a wonderful team building event due to the short distance of the race. Wear your organization t-shirts and let the community see you out there! The expanded team challenge categories are: Healthcare, Serve & Protect, Non-Profit/Government, Corporate/Business, and Education.
Each team may consist of three to five members. The fastest three team members’ times will be added together for a total team time. The team challenge is a great way to promote a friendly rivalry between departments of one organization or between various organizations.
Can I run just for fun?
Definitely!! That is what the Just for Fun/Walk is for. The Carlisle Downtown Mile wants to encourage everyone in the community to participate, including competitive runners, active seniors, veterans, and all members of the family.
What is the weather policy?
The safety of Carlisle Downtown Mile participants is a top priority. If any of the threatening weather conditions listed below are present the day of the event, the event may be cancelled. The Carlisle Downtown Mile will be cancelled if any of the following weather conditions exist at the designated start time of 6:00 pm: Tornado Warning, Tornado Watch, Thunderstorm/Electrical Storm, “Heavy” Rain, or other major weather condition. Less threatening conditions may not cause the event to be cancelled but may cause the cancellation of post-race activities to ensure participant, volunteer, and community safety.
If you have any other questions, please contact Emily Fuller at (717)243-6040 ext. 4430 or Racedir@employmentskillscenter.org.
Our Sponsors
Thank you to our Premier Sponsor, UPMC, and to all of our 2026 sponsors & supporters!
