5K races near Beach Park

Join us at Twin Lake for the Family Fun Fest and 5k. This event supports Hopeful Beginnings perinatal mental health and adoption services.

Panting for Paws hosts 5K and 10K runners and walkers at West Florence High School for its annual animal-shelter fundraiser. A virtual 5K is available for those unable to attend in person, and the race proceeds regardless of weather. Finishers earn medals, and virtual participants receive a shirt and medal. The in-person event features music, food, and children's activities, with proceeds benefiting homeless dogs and cats via The Darlington County Humane Society Shelter and The Florence Area Humane Society. Those not participating in the run or walk can assist by volunteering or donating.

The Lemons of Love Pink Lemonade 5K Run/Walk is a 5K race in Mount Prospect, Illinois. It takes place in the fall at Lions Park, starting at 50 S. Emerson St. The event is designed for both runners and walkers, with proceeds benefiting Lemons of Love, a nonprofit organization supporting individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Participants may walk or run to honor someone they know with cancer, making the event meaningful for many. The race also commemorates Nikki Criel, a founding Lemons of Love committee member known for her purple hair and nails. Those who register by the cutoff date can receive race shirts, and the first 1,000 finishers will receive medals.

The Harvest Hustle 5K begins at 8 a.m. from the parking lot of Notre Dame College Prep High School in Niles, Illinois. This local 5K offers both a run/walk and a youth run/walk, accommodating families, casual walkers, younger participants, and regular runners within the same race-day setup. The event is in its thirteenth year and supports the Niles Family Services Food Pantry. Entry fees and donations fund the pantry, and the race has raised over $35,000 and collected thousands of pounds of food for local families throughout its history. Last year saw the race's largest turnout, with registered runners collecting their race packages on race day.

The Centre Club 5k is a run/walk at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, Illinois, offering both 5k and 1-mile options. The 1-mile event begins before the 5k, accommodating walkers, newer runners, and those seeking a more challenging pace. The course follows the preserve's paths at 16400 W Buckley Road, encircling the lake. Advocate Condell Medical Center established the event to raise funds supporting health and wellness initiatives for patients, staff, and community members throughout Lake County. Separate registration fees apply for the 1-mile and 5k distances.

The Richardson Farm Fall 5K & 10K is an obstacle-course race at Richardson Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois, featuring a corn maze. Participants can select a timed or untimed 5K, a 10K, a 5K route through the farm, a 1 Mile Adventure Run for families, and children’s events including a 100-meter maze dash. The 5K route runs inside Richardson Farm’s corn maze, described as the World’s Largest Corn Maze. The path is marked but includes numerous turns, offering a puzzle-like experience rather than a typical road race. Families have a shorter adventure run, and the variety of timed, untimed, children’s, and walk-friendly options accommodates a range of participants.

The Truly Lit 5K Series - Schaumburg is a run/walk event held at Busse Woods Grove 28 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, near Golf Road and Ring Road. Its unique format is the main draw: four distinct 5K races are scheduled on the same Saturday morning, allowing participants to run or walk a single timed 5K or attempt all four consecutively. The course is a road 5K, with all races starting from the same Busse Woods grove. Registration covers a race bib, timing, one series shirt, a finisher medal for each 5K, and age-group awards and prizes for each race. The post-race amenities align with the Truly theme: snacks, music, and two beverages, offering hard seltzer or beer for those 21 and older, and root beer as the non-alcoholic choice.

A Spooktacular 5K - Trick or Trunk is a Halloween-themed 5K run/walk at Campus Park in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. The race begins in the evening, following a free Trunk or Treat, functioning as a family Halloween outing with a timed 3.1-mile run. It is a Glow Run and a night race; runners should wear lights, bright colors, and costumes. The course follows paved trails within the park, with parking available on the grounds and race-day packet pickup before the start. The event is set up for both adults and kids: awards are given to the top three male and female finishers, age-group winners are recognized in five-year brackets starting at age 10, and there is also a 9-and-under category. The Halloween theme is integrated, with adult and child costume contest winners selected separately. The referral system allows runners to earn registration credit by inviting friends to the 5K.

The Howl-o-ween 5K is a chip-timed 5K run or walk held at Busse Woods Grove 27 in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, near Schaumburg. This Halloween-themed event includes both pets and people: runners and walkers can bring a dog, and dogs do not require separate registration. J3 Timing manages the scoring, with live results available post-race. The route takes place in Busse Woods, offering a park outing feel rather than a competitive road race. The event supports animal shelters and charities, accounting for the dog-friendly nature and treats for participants, both human and canine. Standard 5K registration provides a short sleeve shirt, chip-timed bib, finisher medal, and race entry. A virtual option is also available for those unable to attend.

The Halloween Hustle 5K & Kids Dash is a late-October Halloween race morning in Palatine, Illinois, featuring a timed 5K, a Kids Dash, and a virtual 5K option. The Kids Dash begins at 8:30 AM for children ages 1 to 12, with the 5K starting at 9:00 AM. It is designed for families and runners alike: adults receive a long-sleeve dri-fit shirt, finisher medal, timing bib, and a drink or beer with a sandwich at Tap House Grill, while Kids Dash participants get a shirt, bib, medal, pumpkin, and a drink with a half sandwich. The race begins from the Adrenaline Special Events office area in Palatine, offering free parking at the Gateway Center Garage and Palatine Parking Deck. Tap House Grill hosts the post-race activities, including the after party, awards ceremony, and costume contest. Awards are presented to the top three overall male and female 5K finishers and the top three male and female runners in age groups from 10 and under through 85 and over. The costume contest has group, duo, kids, and individual categories, and the official charity partner is The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs.

The Day of the Dead Family 5K Run/Walk is a late-October 5K in Wheeling. It welcomes runners and walkers on the same course and is structured as a family event. Strollers and wagons are permitted, but pets are not. The race utilizes professional chip timing for official results. The route crosses Heritage Park and extends onto Wheeling streets, featuring music and entertainment along the way. Following the finish, participants can remain for awards, additional music, food, a refreshment table, participation medals, first-place awards, and complimentary photo downloads from the event.

The Nikki Cozzi-Carso Scholarship Annual 5K starts at 10am at Deer Grove-East Picnic Grove #4 in Palatine, Illinois. This community race welcomes runners, walkers, and canicross teams. Dogs are permitted, and participants can choose between the 5K trail or a paved route. Canicross participants must use appropriate hands-free equipment: a waist belt, a 1.5- to 2-meter bungee line, and a sport or pulling harness fitted for the dog. All proceeds benefit the Nikki Cozzi-Carso Scholarship Fund, providing financial aid to local Catholic school students. The race occurs during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; participants are encouraged to wear purple. Awards will be presented to top finishers, including canine competitors. Refreshments and community activities will be available at the finish area. Registered participants will receive race merchandise, with shirts for runners and walkers and hats for canicrossers.