GTC Memorial Day - Honor Tower Mile

The third annual GTC Memorial Day Mile, renamed this year as GTC Memorial Day - Honor Tower Mile will be held this coming Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026.

As a competitive 1-mile race, it is in good alignment with a national movement afoot - to Bring Back the Mile - America's distance (1-2). All speeds are welcome.

The event pays tribute to our first responders and fallen service members.

John Hart
Race Director
Email: MDMdirector@greenvilletrackclub.com 

References

1. Bring Back the Mile: America's Distance. Available at: https://www.bringbackthemile.com/home  

2. NPR. A Campaign To Bring Back 'America's Distance': The 1-Mile Race. Available at: https://www.npr.org/2014/06/06/319512432/a-campaign-to-bring-back-americas-distance-the-1-mile-race 

The plane in the photo above is part of a memorial in Cleveland Park in Greenville, South Carolina honoring Major Rudolf Anderson Jr., United States Air Force for his service and ultimate sacrifice during the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962). Major Anderson, from Greenville, SC, was the only combat casualty during the standoff, and is credited with saving the lives of millions, as explained by historians here:   

How the death of a U.S. Air Force pilot prevented a nuclear war. History. Available at:  https://www.history.com/news/the-cuban-missile-crisis-pilot-whose-death-may-have-saved-millions 

Parking is available in the two parking lots at the Kroc Center: one near the main building and the gravel lot along S. Hudson St. (The paved lot along S. Hudson will be closed and is where the race begins.) 

Parking is also available in Unity Park.

Packet pick up will be held in the parking lot of the Kroc Center along S. Hudson Street on Sunday afternoon, May 24, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

It will also be held on race day morning from 6:00 - 6:30 in the Kroc lot. 

The race will start in groups according to runners' estimated finish times, with a 15-30 second interval between starts. The first group will start at 7:00 AM.

5 minutes or less

5-6 minutes

6-7 minutes

7-8 minutes

8-9 minutes

9 minutes or more 

Chip time and clock time will be used but chip time is what all awards are based on, including overall awards. There will be a chip timing mat for both start and finish. Here are the categories:

Overall and masters' groups, top 3 male and female:

Overall
Masters (40+)
Grandmasters (50+)
Senior grandmasters (60+)

Age groups, top 3 male and female:

14 and under

15-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70-79

80+

The award ceremony will begin around 7:45 AM in the Kroc lot.

Q. Is there a participant cap?

A. Yes, 200.

Q. Are dogs allowed?

A. Unfortunately, our insurance coverage does not allow for this. 
 

Q. Are strollers allowed?

A. For safety reasons, including safety of the child, strollers are not recommended. However, parents and caregivers with strollers should gravitate toward the back at the starting area.

Q. Will the race be held if there's rain?

A. Yes

Q. Is there a speed limit for runners? 

A. Yes, 55 MPH by order of the Greenville Police Department : )