Illinois 5K Run/Walk

Date and time

Friday, April 24, 2026 7:30pm 

To lessen overcrowding on the 5K course, we use a wave start. When entrants register for the 5K, they will pick one of the estimated finish times below:

• A: 25:00 & faster
• B: 25:01 to 31:00
• C: 31:01 to 37:00
• D: 37:01 to 43:00
• E: 43:01 & slower
• F: Just here to have fun
• G: Girls on the Run
• H: Walkers (of any pace) + ALL STROLLERS + Team Noah Entrants

Your corral letter will be printed on your bib number. Strollers are allowed in the 5K only. If you have a stroller, you must be walking and start in the walker corral.

The fastest runners are assigned to the first wave and occupy the first start corral. After these runners have cleared the start line, the next corral moves up to the starting line. After a predetermined interval, the second wave starts and so on.

Entry fees

Your entry fee entitles all in-person entrants to race photos.
Visit the registration page to see fee details based on chosen race and registration date.

Join Team Noah

Through Walk, Run, & Roll with Team Noah, people with disabilities will be able to complete the 5K with their caregivers and/or family and friends. 

Packet pick up

You will need to pickup your packet prior to your race. Please see the packet pickup page for more details on when and how to do this.

The course

The 5K race starts on Oak St, south of St. Mary’s Road, runs through the University of Illinois campus, and finishes at the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium.

Goodies & Shirts

5K entrants will receive a Bella + Canvas-brand short-sleeve unisex jersey tee and a drawstring backpack. Finishers get a great medal, food and drink after the race, and one beverage at the 4th Mile on Friday, April 24 . (Entrants must display their race bib to receive the beverage.)

Bella + Canvas-brand short-sleeve unisex jersey tee, made of airlume combed and ringspun cotton/polyester. The 5K will feel oh so soft!! The shirt comes in adult sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL and youth sizes S, M, and L. The shirt color is TBD. The 5K shirt will feature the 2026 shirt design on the front.

See the sizing chart.

Awards

The top three male and top three female runners will receive overall awards. These runners are not eligible for age group awards.

In addition to the overall awards, there will be first-, second-, and third-place awards for each of the age group. Age group awards are based on chip time.