(Peru, Neb.) – The 21st Nebraska's Toughest Mile (NTM) competition will take place on Saturday, October 26th, 2024.  The race, organized by Peru State's Bobcat cross country team, will start at 9:00 a.m. in one of Nebraska's hilliest small towns, Peru, NE! 
 
The concept of the Nebraska's Toughest Mile race is simple: one mile with nearly constantly changing elevation, mostly uphill!  The middle of the race will take competitors up the infamous "Gut-Buster" hill, located just north of the Campus of a Thousand Oaks on 7th Street. "Gut-Buster" is a quarter mile uphill that gradually gets steeper as you go up. 
 
This race is for all ages 7 and up and all fitness levels from the serious runner to the casual walker.  We want to challenge all individuals, whether athletic or not, to do something which would stretch them out of their comfort zone.
 
The race will begin at 9:00 a.m.  Race day Check-in and Registration will commence at 8:00 a.m. on race day at City Hall located in Downtown Peru, NE. Check-in and Registration will close at 8:45 a.m. The starting line is near the Peru Fire Station and the finish line is near the front of the T.J. Majors building on the main campus.  See the mapmyrun route at this link:  https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4672794415.
 
Registration is open and can be completed at the following link:  Nebraska's Toughest Mile - Peru State College Athletics (pscbobcats.com).  Registrations received prior to Friday, October 11^th, 2024 will be guaranteed a shirt in the size requested. Individuals registering after October 11^th will not guarantee a shirt upon registration.  Payments can be made online through the donation's links provided above, on the webpage following your registration submission, or on race day.  Race day payments must be by card or check.  We will not be handling cash this year as the athletics department has gone cashless for all events.   
 
Nebraska's Toughest Mile is a fundraiser for the Peru State Cross Country Team.  Extra donations are welcomed with your registration and/or at check-in.  You can donate directly to the men's and women's programs using the following links: 
 
Men's Cross Country:  https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/32732/donations/new
Women's Cross Country:  https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/32715/donations/new
 
All proceeds will go to the team's fundraising account to assist with team events, additional scholarships, equipment, and other miscellaneous needs. All donations for the team are appreciated.  Thank you for your support! 
 
COST TO REGISTER:  Individuals registering prior to 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 are considered pre-registrants.  Online registrations will not be added to the roster after that time.  All registrations after 11:59 PM on October 24th, 2024 should be completed in-person, on race day.  Please arrive early to complete race-day registration.  Registration will close at 8:45 AM on race day as we will begin cleanup and preparations to start the race at that time. 
 

1. Pre-registered individuals:  $30
2. Race Day Registrations:  $35
3. Peru State College Students and Faculty who pre-register:  $20
4. Peru State College Students and Faculty who late register:  $25

 
Ivan Marsh, set the course record in 2011 with a finish time of 5:39.
 
An awards ceremony along with the judging of the costume contest will be conducted at the conclusion of the race and should be concluded by 10:30 am.  This year the awards ceremony / reception will be hosted by the athletics department in the Al Wheeler Activity Center (AWAC).  Details of awards (individual and team) and the costume contest follow: 
 
 
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS:
 

1. Awards to the top male and female finishers

 

2. Awards to the top male and female finishers in the following categories, based on race day age:

 

1. Kids:  7-10; All participants must be at least 7 years old on race day
2. Youth:  11-14
3. High School Aged:  15-18
4. College Aged:  19-24
5. Open:  25-39
6. Master's:  40-49
7. Grand Master's:  50-59
8. Senior Grand Master's:  60+

 

3. Awards to individuals signed up for the following Weight Classes (honor system on this; there will not be an official weigh-in):

 

1. Hercules:  Male over 225 pounds
2. Athena:  Female over 165 pounds

 
NOTE:  Individual awards will be given in the following order and individuals receiving a "higher ranking" award will not be considered for other awards, unless they are the only individual eligible. 
 

1. Top finishers
2. Top Age Division Awards
3. Top Weight Class finishers

 
 
TEAM COMPETITION: 
 
Teams will consist of 3 to 5 members and will be ranked against each other in a manner similar to a cross country race.  ALL finishers competing in team categories will be assigned a placement score.  The first team competition finisher will be assigned 1 point; the second team competition finisher, 2 points; and so on.  Each team's top three finishers' scores will be added and ranked against the other teams'.  Lowest score wins.  In the event of a tie, the team with the lowest total finish time will win. 
 

1. Team Categories:
   1. All Male Team (every member must be male)
   2. All Female Team (every member must be female)
   3. COED Team (must include at least one member of each gender and the team's score will consist of the top male and top female finisher and the next fastest runner).

 

2. Team Awards: 
   1. Top Team Overall (will not be eligible for another team award unless they are the only team in that category)
   2. Top Male Team
   3. Top Female Team
   4. Top COED Team

 
 
COSTUME CONTEST:
 
We will have the First Lady of the college, Joanna Evans, judge the custom contest along with our cross country teams' captains.  The judging will be subjective and based on the decisions of the judges.  Remember this is a family friendly event hosted by a state college so please keep your costumes appropriate. 
 
NOTE:  Costume entries must compete in the toughest mile in costume to be eligible.  The judging will occur at the finish line / at the reception / awards ceremony. 
 
Categories available to register in are:
 

1. Best Group / Couple Costume:
   1. 2 or more participants dressed in a recognizable yet creative group / couple costume. 

 

2. Cutest Costume:
   1. Costumes that make you go, "Aww, so cute."

 

3. Scariest Costume:
   1. Costumes that would help the judges run faster up gut buster.

 

4. Most Creative
   1. The Costume that took the most thought and energy to come up with.  Something unusual / outside of the box

 
There will also be a Best in Show category (winners of other costume categories will be eligible for this award):  Judges absolute favorite of all the costumes.