The Millet Mile was conceived as a one-time event by 1989 Pacers president Bob Blum to honor 1982-83 president and benefactor Dan Millet, who produced major races in DFW through the 1980s. It seemed fitting that Dan should have a race named after him. Why a mile? Alliteration!
For a summary of Dan's contributions, see his Hall of Fame letter and Obituary. Dan passed away in 2019.
The first run was held July 29, 1989, immediately after the 10K race, and consisted of two laps around the duck pond (Bob Woodruff Lake) for an actual distance of 1.38 miles. There were no official results, but the club splurged on catered food, a mariachi band, and T-shirts proclaiming, "It's too damn hot!"
The race was so well received that the club made it an official, annual event. Andy Beach certified an exact one-mile, point-to-point course (usually wind aided) along San Gabriel Drive from Park Blvd to Parker Rd. A traveling trophy engraved with each year's overall winner was initiated, and a women's trophy was added later. In 1994, the MM moved to June and preceded the 5K race.
The San Gabriel course was run from 1990 to 2005. The Pacers moved to Harrington Park (point-to-point and downhill) from 2006 to 2009, came back to San Gabriel from 2010 to 2012, and ran within Bob Woodruff Park from 2013 to 2024 (also point-to-point and downhill). 2024 marks the 35th running (no race in pandemic 2020). Hopefully, many more to come!