Initial Mile

06/12/2026

Run. Cosplay. Explore. Challenge Yourself! Join us for our Second Annual Anime Fan & Fitness Festival on September 19, 2026, in Gilroy, CA!

Whether you're chasing a new race goal, showcasing your latest cosplay, or spending the day with family and friends, there's something for everyone.

* FREE festival admission
* 5K & 10K Run/Walk benefitting County of Santa Clara Animal Services
* Free Little Ninja Dash for kids
* Victory Village Marketplace
* Cosplay Contest for All Ages & Levels
* Interactive Activities & Challenges
* Live Entertainment featuring Niseishin Daiko Taiko Morgan Hill, singer Angel Rose, and more!

📍 Christmas Hill Park, Gilroy, CA
📅 September 19, 2026
🕛 Free Festival 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
👟Races begin at 9:00 a.m.

Register for the 5k or 10k today and start your journey toward the finish line!
https://runsignup.com/animefanandfitnessfestival

Tag your anime crew, running buddy, friends and family and come celebrate anime, fitness, creativity, art and community at one of Northern California's most unique fandom events!

06/06/2026

Join us at our Second Annual Anime Fan and Fitness Festival and step into our interactive adventure where fandom meets movement. Travel through a series of themed challenge stations inspired by some of your favorite anime heroes. Each station features its own fitness challenge, activity, or skill test designed for participants of all ages and fitness levels.

This is not a race—participants complete the stations at their own pace as they explore Victory Village. Once you’ve conquered all of the quest stations, take on Initial Mile’s final challenge to earn your exclusive Warrior Badge.

Quest Challenge Leaders Include:
Garlic City Hybrid Training
Hyper Strength and Conditioning
Iron House Rabbit
Team Inferno Cosplay
Xios Fitness

Register for FREE on Eventbrite.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anime-fan-and-fitness-festival-fandom-anime-quest-tickets-1980915645019?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/11/2026

The countdown is on for the 2nd Annual Anime Fan & Fitness Festival, the festival where the worlds of Anime and Fitness collide in Gilroy, CA. Register NOW for the 5K or 10K run before prices increases.

Whether you’re chasing a new PR, running in cosplay, or just joining the adventure with friends and family, this is your chance to level up with our community.

Your registration includes:
* Exclusive finisher wood medal
* Race bib
* Official finisher time with SVE Timing
* Option to purchase finisher T-Shirt
* An unforgettable race day atmosphere
* PLUS — portions of every registration will benefit the Santa Clara County Animal Services Center to help support animals in need.

Post race, celebrate your finish at our Victory Village to shop small business, enjoy performances, take on our Fandom Anime Quest Fitness Challenge, join our Cosplay N Draw event and more. Secure your spot now before the next price increase.

https://runsignup.com/animefanandfitnessfestival

04/27/2026

Join us for our Second Annual Anime Fan and Fitness Festival on Saturday September 19 in Gilroy, CA and register for our 5k or 10k race benefitting the County of Santa Clara Animal Services and take advantage of our early warrior rate or register your little Ninja for our free Little Ninja Dash!

Don't forget to stay for the festival and join our free activities from our interactive Fandom Anime Quest Fitness Challenge, get your draw on with Cosplay N Draw, show off your cosplay in our Cosplay Showcase, enjoy performances from local talent, support small businesses, enjoy local bites and simply enjoy the vibes!

Register for the 5k and 10k race today before the prices increase in June or learn more about our event:
https://www.theinitialmile.com/animefanandfitnessfestival

Special thanks to our sponsors for leveling up our festival!
The Baking Connection
Any Yums
The House of Snack and Flavor
O. Dalal
D.Kumar

Thank you to our Fandom Anime Quest Partners! Garlic_city_hybrid_training
Teaminfernocosplay
Hyper Strength and Conditioning
Xios Fitness
Iron House Rabbit

Thank you to Cosplay N Draw for hosting our Uma Musume Drawing Event!

We look forward to seeing you all there.

09/18/2025

Thank you again to everyone who helped bring this unique vision to life from runners, warriors, cosplayers, vendors, sponsors, partners, the fandom community, Gilroy community, clubs and resources, and Initial Mile staff, a.k.a. friends and family. We'll see you all in 2026 for our second annual, next Saiyan level, Anime Fan and Fitness Festival. Until then, keep training, keep cosplaying, keep motivating and keep chasing your ultimate form!

Initial Mile presents the inaugural Anime Fan and Fitness Festival in Gilroy, CA, the first ever event in history to combine anime and fitness all in one fes...

08/25/2025

We are less than two weeks away from our Inaugural Anime Fan and Fitnes Festival! Register for our 5k run that benefits the Humane Society Silicon Valley, cheer on our warriors as they take on the Warrior Obstacle Sprint, join our cosplay contest and come out to support small businesses at our vendor village that is FREE for the community! Use Code AnimeWarrior10 to save 10% off your 5k registration.

https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Gilroy/AnimeFanAndFitnessFestival5kRun

08/16/2025

We are weeks away from our inaugural Anime Fan and Fitness Festival. On Saturday September 6 in Gilroy CA, our event will include a Cosplay Contest, Warrior Obstacle Sprint, Vendor Village with 100+ vendors and of course, our Super 5k Run and Walk that benefits the Humane Society Silicon Valley!

Register for our 5k run today and use coupon code AnimeWarrior10 to receive 10% off your race registration.

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=181875&eventId=985039

08/11/2025

We are excited to be less than one month away from our inaugural Anime Fan and Fitness Festival happening on Saturday, September 6! This, first of its kind event, will include our main festival that will include 100+ vendors and is FREE for the community, obstacle race, cosplay contest and of course, our Super 5k Run that benefits the Humane Society Silicon Valley. Just like your favorite Saiyan, Hero, Pirate, Ninja or warrior, you can help save lives too. Consider donating to the Humane Society of Silicon Valley or register for our 5k run where a portion of our proceeds will be donated to our furry friends! Register today before registration closes!

The Anime Fan and Fitness Festival 5k Run is on Saturday September 6, 2025.

07/28/2025

In 2 weeks we'll be teaming up with Sports Basement’s brand-new San Jose location to host a Mini Pop-Up Event on Saturday, August 9th from 10 AM to 2 PM before our main event!

Join us at this FREE community Pop-Up to get a sneak peek of what’s to come at our main Anime & Fitness Event happening on September 6!

What to Expect at the Mini Event:

- A selection of limited vendors
- Exclusive raffle, prizes and giveaways
- 5K Registration available onsite—secure your 5k run spot!

Location:
Sports Basement San Jose 5353 Almaden Expy.

Whether you’re a fitness fan, anime lover, or both—come out, meet the community, and get hyped for the big day. This is where anime and fitness finally meet in the real world!

07/22/2025

Calling all anime fans, fitness enthusiasts, runners, and animal lovers!

Kick off your festival morning and join us for our Inaugural Super 5K Walk & Run at the Anime Fan and Fitness Festival in Gilroy, CA on Saturday, September 6!

- Lace up your shoes
- Wear your favorite cosplay
- Run for a great cause — portion of the proceeds benefit Humane Society Silicon Valley!

Whether you're a speedster hero or a casual stroller, come make memories, meet fellow fans, and support our furry friends!

After your run, spend the rest of your day at our FREE admission, festival that will include our Obstacle Warrior Sprint, Cosplay Contest, raffle giveaways and of course, our vendor village that will include artists, creators, makers, resources, fitness brands and services, food vendors and more.

📍 Location: Gilroy, California
🗓 Date: Saturday, September 6
🎟 Register now — link in bio!
10% Off Promo Code: AnimeWarrior10

The Anime Fan and Fitness Festival 5k Run is on Saturday September 6, 2025.