Registration for 10th annual Grand Blue Mile opens with $10 flash sale

DES MOINES, IA – Registration for the 10th annual Grand Blue Mile on April 23 opened today with a $10, two-day flash sale. This deeply discounted price is available for all ages now through Feb. 13. Join thousands of runners and walkers in downtown Des Moines for America’s third largest one-mile race.

"Since its founding in 2010, Grand Blue Mile has had a tremendous impact on central Iowa communities," said Chris Verlengia, Wellmark Blue Cross® and Blue Shield®'s senior brand marketing manager and Grand Blue Mile co-race director. "We’ve hosted approximately 34,000 participants of all fitness levels and encouraged Iowans to build healthy habits to empower positive change. Grand Blue Mile has also awarded nearly $70,000 to Iowa Kidstrong, an organization that promotes healthy and active lifestyles among central Iowa youth."

Registration is now open at Grand Blue Mile External Site. The $10 flash sales ends at 11:59 p.m., on Feb. 13, after which, regularly priced registration is $15 for youth and $20 for adults. As part of Wellmark's commitment to improving the health of Iowans, all proceeds benefit Iowa Kidstrong school fitness programs and the historic Drake Relays.

"We're excited to celebrate this important milestone in Grand Blue Mile history and look forward to seeing a record number of finishers in 2019," said Blake Boldon, Director of the Drake Relays. "From the beginning of our partnership, Wellmark and the Drake Relays committed to making this event accessible to Iowans of all abilities and we’re proud to continue that tradition into our 10th running."

Join the Relays Wellness Challenge

New for 2019 is the Relays Wellness Challenge. This is an employer-based team competition to promote a healthier Iowa. Points will be awarded based on participation in the Drake Road Races on April 20 and Grand Blue Mile. Participating companies will compete in three categories: small (5 to 50 full-time employees), medium (51 to 500 full-time employees), and large (more than 500 full-time employees).

Points will be awarded based on participation and completion of events. Employees of enrolled companies will also receive one point for volunteering at either event or at the Relays Health & Fitness packet pick-up expo on April 19. Finishers will receive: two points for the mile, two points for the 5K, three points for the 10K and four points for the half-marathon. The winning team in each division will be formally recognized in a Business Record advertisement celebrating the achievement and receive a traveling trophy for display.

To date, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Drake University, Des Moines University, EMC Insurance Companies, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Hy-Vee, Meredith Corporation, and YMCA of Greater Des Moines have all pledged to support the inaugural challenge, with many more employers primed to enroll in the coming weeks.

To enroll your organization at no cost, email drakeroadraces@drake.edu Send Email or call 515-271-1957.