Growing up, seemingly everyone has run the mile. You ran the mile in gym class. You ran the mile before basketball practice. And you certainly ran the mile if you were on the track and field team. Technically dubbed a “middle distance ” event, the mile is everywhere you look until you graduate college. After that, the mile all but disappears.

For whatever reason ( marathons and halfs , perhaps), running a singular mile is not an appealing task to adults, and that’s even more true if it’s in a race form. While distance running is certainly enjoyable, there is something to be said for pushing high octane, full throttle for 1,760 yards. Sure, you’re done with your event in five to 10 minutes, but the training for a mile race and the skills needed to shine at that distance are refreshingly different from those for a half marathon.

Luckily, there are still some places in the U.S. that host one-mile-long races that encourage runners to bust out their fastest legs without having to worry about fueling, chafing, or long distance strategizing. Here’s a list of 12 of our favorite one-mile races that you might want to run this year.

Millennium Mile

Sure you could wake up and run a 5K on New Year’s Day morning or head to the beach for a polar plunge, but why not start your year by sleeping in a bit? This New Hampshire mile race doesn’t start until 2 p.m., which will give you ample time to snooze and eat breakfast before heading to the course. The Millennium Mile offers a straight shot course without any twists and turns. It also offers cash prizes to not only the winners but the first people to hit the quarter, half, and three quarter mile markets.

Spirit Run Mile

It may be hard to run a marathon dressed as a leprechaun, but running a mile is pretty doable in whatever costume you select. Newport Beach’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed Spirit Run boasts 5K and mile distances with both courses circling Fashion Island, an outdoor shopping mall near the Pacific Ocean. You’ll want to don as much green as you can for this race so that no one pinches you. This does mimic a track and field race a bit more than others on this list in that the course is one giant circle rather than a straightaway.

Shamrock Shuffle Mile

Chicago is perhaps the U.S. city most strongly linked to St. Patty’s Day because of the fact that they dye the entire Chicago River green. If you want to witness that spectacle, and also burn a few calories before drinking green beer, you can sign up for Chi town’s Shamrock Shuffle. The mile-long course weaves around Chicago’s beautiful Grant Park with plenty of views of the city’s skyline on the horizon, and Lake Michigan only steps away. Plus, the race is only $25, so you’ll have plenty of cash left to buy a Chicago dog when you’re done.

Grand Blue Mile

Hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield, Des Moines’s premiere mile race, the Grand Mile, is run every April. A rare evening race, the event starts at 6 p.m. so you can change out of your suit and tie before heading downtown to sprint for a bit. The race is named after Grand Avenue, with runners starting on Locust Street before U-turning toward a finish on Grand. Over the years, the race has been run by over 50,000 participants including Olympic medalists, which isn’t too shabby for a mile-long race in the middle of Iowa.

Athens Twilight Mile

While you technically have to qualify for this mile-long race in Athens, Georgia, anyone can qualify in a 5K that’s held earlier in the day. On Saturday morning the American Pride Bank 5K is run on the streets of Athens as a part of Twilight, a yearly event the town hosts that also involves bike races. The top 15 men and the top 15 women then qualify for a $1,000 mile run that is held later in the evening, with the winners taking home cash. So you might as well try your hand at the 5K. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up a grand richer by the end of the day.

Mile of Truth

While the Mile of Truth is a part of the Devil Mountain Run, neither race is as scary as its name would imply. Danville is located to the east of San Francisco near Mt. Diablo, which is how the race got its name. The course for the mile is two laps of a half mile circuit and runners face off against individuals of their own age and gender in staggered heats so the course doesn’t get too crowded. If you’re especially speedy, you can win some solid prize money here including a bonus $500 if you break the course record, which sits at 4:13 for men and 4:45 for women.

Meck Mile

While crossing any race finish line is exhilarating, there’s just a little extra spark of electricity when you’re crossing a finish line inside a packed stadium. Charlotte’s Meck Mile sends runners on a loop of Memorial Stadium, currently home of the Charlotte Independence soccer team, before sending them to finish on the field. With heats for competitive runners, casual joggers, walkers , and families, the Meck Mile is an event to bring all your friends and family to. Plus, there’s a party after with music and food vendors.

Minnesota Mile

While Duluth, Minnesota, may have less than 100,000 residents and is located in the remote northern corner of the state, it has become quite a Mecca for running. Every summer the Grandma’s Marathon and Garry Bjorklund Half bring in a large crop of runners, and those organizers host the Minnesota Mile every fall. Boasting “5,280 feet of beauty” on their website, the race is run on a loop course with views of both the Duluth skyline and Lake Superior. While Minnesota winters can be brutal, the early September weather is perfect for running and a postrace walk along the coast is just what you need to start autumn.

5th Avenue Mile

While New York Road Runners host a number of iconic races, the 5th Avenue Mile is an event that's uniquely New York. As the race’s name implies, the mile-long course runs on 5th Avenue, starting at 80th St. in the Upper East Side and heading straight down to 60th St. That means the race runs alongside Central Park for its entirety and ends right in front of the famed Plaza Hotel. The 5th Avenue Mile is run in a variety of heats that include rounds dedicated specifically for the NYPD, FDNY, and those working in media.

Duval Street Mile

If you’re going to Key West, then you’re going to Duval Street. The iconic main drag of Key West runs for 1.25 miles from the Gulf of Mexico in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the south. The Duval Street Mile sends runners down this iconic section of Florida real estate. Nearly as iconic is Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which has been a Key West staple since 1933. Sloppy Joe’s hosts the after party for the Duval Street Mile so after you’re done running you can grab a pint and let loose.

Mashed Potato Mile

You’ve probably run a turkey trot , but I doubt you’ve run a Mashed Potato Mile. The Thanksgiving-themed race is hosted by the Oswegoland Park District outside of Chicago and runs near the town’s Fox River. While the Gobbler Hobbler 10K is run on the same day, the Mashed Potato Mile is a quick loop of the Womley Heritage Park.

Kalakaua Merrie Mile

It’s not like anyone really needs an excuse to visit Hawaii, but if you’re looking for one this December race is a good reason to hop on a plane. Held the day before the Honolulu Marathon, the mile is a great warmup for the big race or a fun little standalone event. The Merrie Mile runs along Waikiki Beach and ends with a fun party on the shore. While you might think the “merrie” in the name is a Christmas reference, it’s actually a shoutout to King Kalakaua, the last king of Hawaii, who was nicknamed “the merrie monarch.” The Merrie Mile is run on Kalakaua Avenue, which was named in his honor.