Run to Remember

Register

Join us for the fifth annual Run to Remember, a 5-mile Run and 5K Run/Walk in/around Crystal Lake Park in Urbana on October 4. An event to honor the memories of those we miss, cherish those within our midst, and work together for a peaceful tomorrow.

Date and time

Saturday, October 4, 2025
8:00am

Entry fees

Registration for the 2025 Run to Remember will open in May. Your entry fee entitles all in-person entrants to FREE race photos.

What to expect

Parking and race route

The 2025 Run to Remember features a 5-mile and 5K. The 5-miler starts and ends in Crystal Lake Park in Urbana. The start is on the main road adjacent to the large pavilion. After an opening loop through the park, the 5-mile route heads outside of the park to Church St., N. Orchard St., N. Coler Ave., N. Country Club Rd., and Broadway Ave., before reentering the park for a short loop to the finish line near the Boat House. 

The 5K Run/Walk starts in the same place as the 5-mile and does two loops of the park. The finish line is at the end of the straightaway near the Boat House. Free parking is at the Fairgrounds off of N. Coler Ave, a short walk to the start line staging area.

Packet pickup

Packet pickup will be available on the following days/times at Body n’ Sole Sports: October 2 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and October 3 from noon to 6:00 p.m. Body n’ Sole Sports is located at 1317 N Dunlap Ave, Savoy, Illinois. You can also pick up your race packet on race morning, October 4, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. in the large pavilion at Crystal Lake Park adjacent to Park St. Additional online registrations will be processed until October 4 at 7:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, September 30, we will email each entrant their assigned race number and a unique QR code. Print and bring to Body n’ Sole a copy of your QR code (or show it to us on your phone) to receive your race number. If you plan to pick up a race number for someone else, you must have a copy of that person’s QR code (paper copy or on your phone). If you can’t get to Body n’ Sole, you can have someone else pick up your number for you as long as that person has a copy (paper or electronic) of the QR code we email you.

The Back Bib is integral to the Run to Remember experience. All entrants receive a front bib with their name and race number. But everyone involved with the race—from entrants to volunteers and sponsors, from race staff to police, medical, and public works officials—will be given a 5 x 7 back bib that says “Today, I Remember…” with a blank space where each person can write the name(s) or event(s) he/she is remembering that day.

Race goodies

Entrants will receive a Bella + Canvas-brand short-sleeve unisex jersey tee, made of airlume combed and ringspun cotton/polyester. The race shirt will feel oh so soft!! The shirt comes in unisex adult sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL and youth sizes S, M, and L. The race shirt color is TBD. 

Finishers also receive a great medal and food and drink after the race.

Wave start

To lessen overcrowding on the course, we will use a wave start combining the 5-milers and 5K runners/walkers. When you register for the race, you will pick one of the estimated finish times below for the 5-miler or 5K:

• 5-mile Wave A: 40:00 & faster (sub 8:02 pace)
• 5-mile Wave B: 40:01 to 47:00 (sub 9:27 pace)
• 5-mile Wave C: 47:01 to 52:00 (9:28–10:28 pace)
• 5-mile Wave D: 52:01 to 58:00 (10:29–11:40 pace)
• 5-mile Wave E: 58:01 to 67:00 (11:41–13:29 pace)
• 5-mile Wave F: 67:01 & slower (13:30 pace and slower)

• 5K Wave A: 25:00 & faster
• 5K Wave B: 25:01 to 31:00
• 5K Wave C: 31:01 to 37:00
• 5K Wave D: 37:01 to 43:00
• 5K Wave E: 43:01 & slower
• 5K Wave F: Walkers (of any pace) & ALL STROLLERS

Your race bib will have the letter A, B, C, D, E, or F printed on it, based on your answer to the question about your estimated finish time. At the start line, you will line up by the letter on your bib, starting with the As all the way to the Fs. Volunteers will be holding large signs (A to F) to designate where you should line up. All runners and walkers will start at 8:00 a.m., with the fastest runners at the front and the walkers at the back. Your timing device is on the back of your race bib (DO NOT REMOVE IT) and it will start when you cross the start line and stop when you cross the finish line. 

Strollers are allowed in the 5K only. If you have a stroller, you must be walking and start in the walker corral, which is F.

Hydration station

There is one hydration station inside the park and one outside the park (for the 5-milers). Water and lemon lime Nuun Endurance will be served. Bottled water and Nuun will also be available as part of the post-race refreshments.

After the race

Join us for a post-race celebration with food, music, and good times at Crystal Lake Park, in/around the large pavilion. More details to follow.

Awards

The top three male and top three female runners in the in-person 5-miler and in-person 5K will receive overall awards. These runners are not eligible for age-group awards. In addition to the overall awards, there will be three-deep awards for males and females for each of the age groups listed below. Age-group awards are based on chip time.

• 10 & under
• 11-19
• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70 & over

Race beneficiaries and sponsors

Proceeds from this race go to United Way of Champaign County & Community Foundation of East Central Illinois.