When I was an undergraduate at Georgia Tech, one of the more unique traditions on campus was the Pi Mile 5K race, held every year on March 14th—Pi Day. Unlike a traditional 5K, which is 3.1 miles, the Pi Mile covered exactly 3.14 miles, a clever nod to the mathematical constant π.

Pi Day itself is a celebration of the number π (pi), which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It’s an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation goes on forever without repeating. (March 14th is the first three numbers of pi 3.14159…) Mathematicians, scientists, and engineers around the world mark March 14th as a day to recognize the significance of pi in everything from physics and geometry to computer science and engineering. And at Georgia Tech, running a 3.14-mile race was the perfect way to honor this number.

Running, like mathematics, is about precision and endurance. Just as mathematicians strive for ever-greater accuracy in their calculations, runners seek to refine their pace, efficiency, and endurance. The concept of a perfect stride or an optimal racing strategy has an almost mathematical quality—where small adjustments in form, cadence, and effort can make the difference between a good race and a great one. Even pacing in a marathon often relies on split times measured to the second, much like a mathematical equation being solved step by step.

While Pi Day may be rooted in mathematics, for runners, it’s also a reminder that running is a numbers game – albeit one played with heart. Whether it’s miles logged, pace per mile, heart rate zones, or races completed numbers shape the sport we love.

Maybe, just maybe, there’s a little bit of math nerd in all of us.