Students and supporters gathered at the University of Maryland in College Park just after midnight for the return of the Midnight Mile, running alongside the men’s basketball team to mark the start of the new season.
The annual event took place at the Kehoe Track and Field Complex at Ludwig Field, where fans joined the Terps for a ceremonial mile before the squad’s campaign gets under way.
The tradition was launched in 1971 by former Maryland coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell. He invited supporters to watch his players run around the track at the beginning of the season, an idea that went on to inspire the nationwide college basketball phenomenon known as Midnight Madness.
Maryland says Driesell’s original run took place at 12.03am on 15 October 1971, the first point at which teams were permitted to begin practice under the rules then in force. The event has since become a distinctive way for players and supporters to connect before the season begins.
For the 2026 Midnight Mile, the gates opened at 11.15pm, with students able to collect race bibs and meet members of the team before taking part.
Organisers offered pizza and drinks to participants, while the first 300 students were also due to receive commemorative T-shirts. A prize raffle was held after the run.
The event was expected to finish at about 12.30am, with students and players then turning their attention to the months ahead for Maryland men’s basketball.
