What is the Blue Jean Mile?

The Blue Jean Mile is the brainchild of professional middle-distance runner, Johnny Gregorek. In May 2020, when all races and competitions were put on pause, Gregorek was itching for a challenge. But he wanted this challenge to be more meaningful than chasing a fast segment on Strava. Gregorek wanted to push himself physically while also honoring and celebrating the life of his late brother, Patrick. So Gregorek, with Patrick’s memory on his mind, decided to try and break the record for the fastest mile run in a pair of blue jeans.

“Patrick was a really fun-loving and lighthearted kind of guy,” Gregorek told us in a 2022 interview. “He ran, but it wasn’t something that he took too seriously.”

To Gregorek, running a mile in blue jeans seemed like the perfect way to blend Patrick’s sense of humor with Gregorek’s own life and livelihood. He teamed up with NAMI-NYC to raise money and awareness for mental health, all while chasing down the blue jean mile record, which at the time was a jaw-dropping 4:11.

Armed with a pair of custom, denim-accented ASICS spikes inscribed with Patrick’s name and, of course, his Levi’s 501 jeans, Gregorek ran a blazing 4:06 mile and broke the world record. More importantly, he raised over $14,000 in the process.

“It meant a lot to be able to do that,” he said. “I wanted to celebrate Patrick’s spirit in a positive way…and we ended up raising quite a bit of money. It was a great feeling to know that a difference was made and that his memory and spirit are still alive.”

In 2021, Gregorek expanded the Blue Jean Mile to include other runners with a virtual event. He also partnered with ASICS, who pledged to donate $40,625 to NAMI-NYC. In 2022, the Blue Jean Mile events were both virtual and in-person, with ASICS hosting two community events in Los Angeles and New York City. This year, local Fleet Feet stores across the country are partnering with ASICS to host their own Blue Jean Mile events.

So How Can you Join the Blue Jean Mile?

This year on May 21 at Casa Roble High School, Fleet Feet Folsom and Roseville will create their version of the Blue Jean Mile. We'll come together as a community and run a mile in Blue Jeans. Just like Johnny Gregorek did in 2020. We'll also be bringing awareness to NAMI, the same organization Gregorek and Asics has partnered with since the beginning. We will also have food, drinks, and raffle for those participating. Be sure to join us for a crazy run for a serious cause