What did you get into this weekend? If you weren't aware, the third annual Downtown Yakima Mile took place on Yakima Ave Saturday, July 2nd 2022. Bigger and better than ever including a record breaking Washington State Mile!

There were so many smiling faces, chubby babies and excited to race animals included amongst the elite athletes, teen and adult runners from all over the country, who came to break records and raise awareness of not only our Missing and Indigenous Woman but also raise funds for the YWCA.

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A Great Cause and a Great Race

The event always kicks-off with the family mile, which I took partook in. Yakama Nation members began with a drum circle and singing, to remind us of those that have been lost and those that we still need to find.

Rosalie Fish, a runner at UW and member of the Cowlitz Tribe, is an activist who runs in events across the country to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's. Rosalie took on the incredible task of raising pledge money and running as many miles as she could during the entirety of the Downtown Yakima Mile event. In about two hours she was able to complete 12 miles and raised over $53,000 in pledge dontions! It wasn't easy and she made sure to thank the crowd for keeping her motivated when she began to drift off the road. Her drive and passion to continue to shine a light for those lost in darkness is beautiful and so inspiring.

So, Who Broke the Washington State Mile Record?

After the kid, animal and adult community races the elite men and woman took off hoping to beat their personal times, take home prize money and maybe, bragging rights for beating the Washington State Mile record.

I asked my co-host Coach Dean, why this race in Yakima was so exciting for professional runners and he said there aren't many races where you get to run on a road, a road mile if you will. Normally it's a round track so the likelihood of hitting a personal best can be greater but also it's a nice way to keep things interesting for the athletes.

Word of mouth has spread and most professional runners that have participated not only return to compete but bring their friends and followers as well! Everyone wants to win and you can feel the exciting buzz of competition throughout the entire event, not to mention the great causes everyone is there for the YWCA and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman.

Elite runner Sam Prakel, ran an impressive race last year and was back to not only defend his title but shave off even more time. It's a good thing he decided to bring it because Sam not only won his heat but broke his own record coming in at 3:50.5 seconds, the new Washington State Mile time to beat and earning Sam $10,000 in prize money!

A huge thank you to Hogback Development for creating this chance for athletes to compete in our Valley while raising funds for our local YWCA. Yakima County has the highest domestic violence rate in the state of Washington so every single penny donated counts!

YWCA YAKIMA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LOCAL HOTLINE - 509.248.7796

SEND YOUR PHOTOS AND FEEDBACK TO RUN@YAKIMAMILE.COM

Downtown Yakima Mile 2022

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