The Endless Mile 2026

The Endless Mile is an October ultramarathon held at Veterans Park in Alabaster, Alabama, located approximately 26 miles south of downtown Birmingham. Rather than a point-to-point course, participants run laps on a paved, lighted path measuring 1.00203 miles. Runners can select from a 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour race format. The objective is straightforward: continue running the loop for the duration of your chosen event, with electronic chip timing tracking the precise distance covered. Participants can compete individually, or groups of friends can form an informal relay team to share the event. The extended race durations are beneficial for individuals training for 100-mile and 200-mile events, as the loop provides a controlled environment to practice fueling, hydration, and sleep strategies. All participants receive a finisher medal, and those who achieve 100 miles or 200 miles are awarded buckles corresponding to those distances. The event attracts ultrarunners from over 20 states, transforming the park, typically a local jogging path, into a hub with tents, spectators, and vehicles from out of state. Some runners complete over 200 laps, and Alabaster resident Daniel Cheek began participating after observing people running laps and discovering the race was local.