HOULTON, Maine — The annual running of the LP Miracle Mile takes place Friday, July 2, as part of the Midnight Madness celebration in downtown Houlton.
Last year’s race was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-mile road race raises money for research and awareness for pediatric cancer and Diamond Blackfan Anemia and typically draws a large pool of runners and walkers.
“My reason for this event and inspiration is not only my own daughter’s fight with cancer, but the thousands (12,500) of kids who are diagnosed yearly,” said Kirk Ward. “The LP Miracle Mile will also benefit Diamond Blackfan Anemia, a rare blood disorder in which the bone marrow fails to make red blood cells. So the race will personally affect our two young ladies represented, Makenna and Maggie.”
Makenna Ward was just 6-years-old when she died Dec. 29, 2013. The LP Miracle Mile was created to honor her memory and to help raise money for cancer research.
The race is a 1-mile downhill race for runners and walkers. Registration check-in starts at 4 p.m. and goes to 5:30 p.m. The race begins promptly at 6 p.m. for both runners and walkers. The event parking and registration has been made possible by Military Street Baptist Church, located at 307 Military St.
The starting line is at the intersection of Grant and Military streets. Racers will line up facing west toward downtown Houlton and make their way down the hill.
Once past St. Mary’s Church on the right, racers will be at a five way intersection where participants will have to bear a slight right onto Main Street. From here, the race follows Main Street into Houlton’s historic Market Square. The finish line is located just before the intersection at Court and Water streets.
After the event, racers are invited to the Houlton Elks Club where a reception and award ceremony will be held. Refreshments will be made available.
The race will also serve as the opening event of Houlton’s Midnight Madness festival, an annual gathering of local communities to kick off the Fourth of July. Participants are invited to partake in all festivities after the LP Miracle Mile as the night would only just be getting started.
Funds raised by the LP Miracle Mile will go to benefit two specific organizations. CureSearch, an organization dedicated to Research and Awareness of Pediatric Cancer. The second organization, Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation, provides similar Research and Awareness support.
To register online, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/ME/Houlton/LPMiracleMile. The cost is $25 per person. Online registration ends July 2, at 11:59 p.m.
