WE LOST OUR CENTS 1 MILE VIRTUAL RACE 2026

One Last Cent. One Meaningful Mile. 🪙

A little piece of American history has come to an end—and we're marking the occasion one mile at a time.

The We Lost Our Cents 1 Mile Virtual Race is a fun 2026 running and walking challenge inspired by the end of U.S. penny production.

On November 12, 2025, the final circulating U.S. one-cent coin was struck, ending more than two centuries of penny production.

So naturally...

We lost our cents.

Whether you're a runner, walker, coin collector, history lover, Lincoln fan, or simply someone who wants a fun and achievable fitness challenge with a seriously unique medal, this race is for you.

Complete just ONE MILE anywhere you choose during 2026 and earn your collectible penny-inspired finisher medal.

One historic penny. One memorable medal. One mile.

JUST ONE MILE!

Distance: 1 Mile

That's it.

No 5K required.

No half marathon training plan.

No 26.2-mile finish line.

Just one mile.

🪙 Unique penny-inspired virtual race
🏅 Collectible We Lost Our Cents finisher medal
🎽 Coordinating 2026 race bib included
👟 Beginner-friendly 1 Mile challenge
🏃 Run, walk, or jog
📍 Complete your mile anywhere
📅 Complete anytime during 2026
❤️ 15% of every registration donated to Penny Appeal USA
🌎 Join a community that has helped raise more than $1 million for charities

A LITTLE RACE INSPIRED BY A BIG PIECE OF HISTORY

For generations, the penny was part of everyday American life.

We found them in couch cushions.

Dropped them into jars.

Tossed them into fountains.

Picked them up for good luck.

And repeated the old saying:

“Find a penny, pick it up...”

The We Lost Our Cents Virtual Race turns the end of this familiar little coin's production into a fun reason to get moving.

Walk your mile with your family.

Run it for a new personal best.

Take the dog.

Grab the kids.

Challenge your running club.

Or complete it simply because you want to add a unique penny-inspired race medal to your collection.

It only takes one mile to become part of this little piece of history.

EARN YOUR WE LOST OUR CENTS FINISHER MEDAL

Complete your mile and earn a distinctive We Lost Our Cents finisher medal inspired by the classic Lincoln penny.

Featuring penny-inspired details and commemorating the final production date, this medal was designed to be more than ordinary race swag.

It's a keepsake.

A conversation piece.

And a fun reminder of a small piece of American history.

Your registration includes:

🏅 We Lost Our Cents 1 Mile finisher medal
🎽 Coordinating 2026 race bib
🪙 Penny-inspired collectible keepsake
❤️ Donation to Penny Appeal USA

Medals and race bibs typically ship within 2–5 business days after registration. 

PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS, WALKERS & FAMILIES

You don't have to consider yourself a runner to participate.

That's one of the things that makes this challenge so much fun.

One mile is an approachable goal for a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

Run it.

Walk it.

Jog it.

Take the dog.

Push a stroller.

Bring the kids.

Walk it with Grandma.

Use a treadmill.

Or gather a group of friends and create your own penny-themed one-mile event.

There's no required pace.

There's no official starting line.

And timing your mile is completely optional.

One mile. Your way.

A FUN CHALLENGE FOR COIN COLLECTORS & HISTORY LOVERS

This isn't only a race for runners.

The unique penny theme makes the We Lost Our Cents Virtual Race especially fun for:

• Penny collectors
• Coin collectors and numismatists
• Lincoln enthusiasts
• American history lovers
• Teachers and students
• Families
• Runners and walkers
• Virtual race medal collectors
• Anyone looking for a unique 2026 keepsake

If someone in your life collects coins or loves unusual pieces of American history, this race also makes a fun and unexpected gift.

Instead of putting another penny in the collection, earn this one.

HOW DOES THE 1 MILE VIRTUAL RACE WORK?

1. REGISTER FOR THE RACE

Sign up for the We Lost Our Cents 1 Mile Virtual Race.

Your challenge is exactly what it sounds like:

ONE MILE.

2. CHOOSE YOUR COURSE

Complete your mile anywhere you choose:

• Around your neighborhood
• At a local park
• On a running trail
• On a track
• At the gym
• On a treadmill
• While traveling
• During another organized race
• With friends or family

3. RUN, WALK OR JOG YOUR MILE

There is no minimum pace.

Want to race it? Go for it.

Want to enjoy a relaxed one-mile walk? That counts, too.

4. CELEBRATE YOUR FINISH

Track your mile if you'd like and celebrate your accomplishment with your penny-inspired finisher medal.

Your race. Your pace. Your one historic mile.

SMALL CHANGE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

There's another reason this race is especially meaningful.

15% of every We Lost Our Cents registration is donated to Penny Appeal USA, supporting humanitarian programs for people and communities facing poverty and hardship. 

It's a fitting cause for a race inspired by the humble penny.

A single cent seems small.

A single mile seems small.

But when enough people come together, small things can create meaningful change.

Small change. Big impact.

Virtual Run Events independently selects charitable organizations to benefit from our races and is not affiliated with Penny Appeal USA.

MORE THAN $1 MILLION RAISED FOR CHARITY

The We Lost Our Cents race is part of a much bigger mission.

The Virtual Run Events community has helped raise more than $1 million for charities and nonprofit organizations.

Every registration adds to that impact.

Every participant helps.

And every mile gives us another opportunity to turn movement into something meaningful.

This race proves something pretty important:

Even something as small as one cent—or one mile—can make a difference.

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL RACE?

A virtual race is a running or walking challenge you complete wherever and whenever works best for you.

There's no crowded starting line.

No race-day travel.

No required pace.

And for this race, there's definitely no need for months of training.

Choose your course.

Complete your mile.

Celebrate your finish.

It's an easy way for beginners, walkers, families, experienced runners, and even people who don't normally participate in races to enjoy the motivation and fun of earning a finisher medal.

Your race. Your pace. Your place.

SAVE 30% AS A VIP MEMBER

Love collecting unique virtual race medals?

Become a Virtual Run Events VIP Member for just $5 per month and save 30% on all orders for as long as your membership remains active.

With new virtual races added regularly, VIP membership is a great way to save while taking on more challenges and growing your medal collection.

Become a VIP Member & Save 30% on Every Order

DON'T LET THIS ONE SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS 🪙

The penny may no longer be rolling off the presses, but you can commemorate its story with one unforgettable mile.

Walk it with your family.

Race it for a personal best.

Complete it with your running club.

Take a stroll with the dog.

Or do it simply because you want one seriously cool penny-inspired medal.

One cent made history.

One mile earns the medal.