Director’s 100-Mile Challenge

100 Miles. 100 Days. One Goal: Keep Moving Forward.

The Director’s 100-Mile Challenge is back for 2027, bringing new opportunities for motivation, friendly competition, and community connection!

Whether you walk, run, hike, or combine all three, the goal is simple: complete 100 miles between April 12 and July 25, 2027.

This year, we're introducing team competition, age-division awards, and a Team Championship to encourage participants to keep moving throughout the challenge. Whether you're working toward your first 100 miles or competing for the top spot, there's a place for you!

Challenge Dates: April 12 – July 25, 2027

Registration Limit: 300 Participants

Registration Opens: Monday, January 11, 2027

Registration & Participation

• Registration is limited to the first 300 participants, divided into teams of no more than 99 participants each. Team numbers are based on number of registrations. 

• Participants must register through the official online registration form.

• 2. Track Your Miles

• Registration closes once all 300 spots are filled or April 7, 2027 registration will close.

• Participants will receive a confirmation email with important challenge information.

• Team assignments and official Strava group links will be emailed before the challenge begins.

• Families registering for the challenge will be assigned to the same team whenever possible.

Teams will be balanced using participant registration information to create a fair and enjoyable competition.

Teams will compete throughout the challenge, but every participant is also working toward their own personal 100-mile goal.

How the Challenge Works

1. Walk, Run, or Hike 100 Miles

Participants have 100 days to complete 100 miles. Miles can be earned anywhere — parks, neighborhoods, trails, treadmills, vacations, or wherever you enjoy being active.

You can walk, run, hike, or combine all three activities to reach your goal.

Miles completed before April 12, 2027, will not count toward the challenge.

2. Track Your Miles

Strava is the official and required tracking platform for the 2027 Director’s 100-Mile Challenge.

Every participant must have a Strava account and join their assigned official challenge team.

Participants will record their walking, running, and hiking activities through Strava. Compatible fitness watches and devices may also be used when connected to Strava.

Each week, Newcastle Parks & Recreation will use the official Strava team leaderboards to track participant mileage, calculate team totals, and share updated standings.

Important Tracking Requirements:

• All participants must join their assigned Strava team.

• Only eligible activities recorded in Strava during the official challenge dates will count.

• Participants are responsible for ensuring their activities are recorded correctly.

• Self-reported mileage outside Strava will not be accepted. You can manually upload miles if needed inside the Strava app.

• Participants must remain members of their assigned team throughout the challenge.

This ensures consistent tracking, fair competition, and accurate results for all participants.

3. Earn Your 100-Mile Finisher Recognition

Everyone who completes the full 100 miles will earn:

• Official 100-Mile Finisher Shirt

• Commemorative 100-Mile Finisher Medal

There are no longer separate 25-, 50-, or 75-mile physical rewards. This year's recognition focuses on celebrating the accomplishment of completing all 100 miles.

You do not have to wait until the final day to finish. Once you've completed 100 miles, you've earned your Finisher recognition!

Keep tracking your miles after reaching 100! Your additional mileage can still help your team and improve your Age Division standings.

Finisher items will be distributed after the challenge concludes to allow time for final verification and ordering.

New for 2027: Team Championship

This year, participants will be assigned to teams competing to log the most combined miles throughout the challenge.

Every mile counts toward your team's total, even after you've completed your personal 100-mile goal!

At the end of the challenge, the team with the highest combined mileage will be named the 2027 Team Champion.

Team Championship Awards

Eligible members of the winning team will receive an exclusive Team Champion Running Water Bottle.

To qualify for the award, winning-team members must meet one of the following requirements:

• Record at least 25 miles and be active during at least 8 of the 15 challenge weeks. Or Record 50 or more miles, regardless of the number of active weeks.

Anyone completing 100 miles automatically meets the individual eligibility requirement for the Team Champion award, provided their team wins.

You don't have to be the fastest or log the most miles to contribute. Every participant can help their team succeed!

New for 2027: Age Division Awards

Looking for an extra challenge? Participants can also compete against others in their age division.

There will be nine age divisions, with separate male and female awards, creating up to 18 first-place winners.

Age Divisons:
18 & Under

19-25

26-32

33-39

40-46

47-53

54-59

60-64

65+

How Age Division Winners Are Determine

To qualify for an Age Division award, participants must first complete the full 100 miles.

Among eligible finishers, the participant with the highest total recorded mileage in each division will earn first place.

This is not a race to reach 100 miles first. Participants can continue accumulating miles throughout the entire challenge.

Age Division winners will receive:

• $25 Gift Card (Pending Sponsorship)

Weekly Updates & Community Motivation

Throughout the challenge, participants will have access to a shared Google document updated weekly by Newcastle Parks & Recreation.

This document will allow participants to follow their progress and see how they compare throughout the challenge, including:

• Individual Mileage: Your weekly and total miles toward the 100-mile goal.

• Team Standings: Your team's combined mileage and position in the Team Championship.

• Age Division Standings: Your mileage and ranking among participants in your age division.

The document will be updated following each Monday–Sunday tracking week, giving everyone an opportunity to see their progress, celebrate accomplishments, and stay motivated.

Whether you're chasing your first 100 miles or competing for the top spot, you'll be able to follow your progress every step of the way!

Celebrate Your Accomplishment

The Director’s 100-Mile Challenge is about more than numbers on a leaderboard.

It's about building healthy habits, spending time with family, finding motivation, and discovering what you're capable of accomplishing.

In 2026, 200 residents registered, 93 completed the full challenge, and participants logged more than 20,500 miles together.

In 2027, we're building on that success with more opportunities to connect, compete, and celebrate.

300 Participant Spots. 100 Miles. One Community.

Keep Moving Forward.