Champaign-Urbana · United States
5K races near Champaign-Urbana
17 races in 2026
next one in 1 days
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Race calendar
Upcoming 5K races near Champaign-Urbana
This week 4
3JUL
Run · road · 5K
RUN WHITE and BOOM
Bement · 34 km away
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
Paxton Masonic Lodge 4th of July 5K
Paxton · 44 km away
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
God's Country 5K/10K Run & 2 Mile Walk
Forrest · 77 km away
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run
Champaign · 5 km away
JUL 6
11JUL
Run · road · 5K
2026 Fisher Fair 5K
Fisher · 29 km away
+12 more 5K racesShow fewer ↓
11JUL
Run · road · 5K
Power of Parks 5k (without shirt)
URBANA · 2 km away
18JUL
Run · road · 5K
Run for the Bagel
Mattoon · 67 km away
25JUL
Run · trail · 5K
MADDER THAN A WET HEN 5k
Charleston · 65 km away
25JUL
Run · road · 5K
SANGAMAM 5K Run/2K Family Fun Water Gun Run or Walk
Bloomington · 76 km away
31JUL
Run · road · 5K
Run Mahomet
Mahomet · 21 km away
AUG 4
8AUG
Run · trail · 5K
Kennekuk Road Runners - Howl at the Moon 8/4 hour Ultra
Danville · 51 km away
15AUG
Run · road · 5K
2024 Tiger 5K
Westville · 50 km away
15AUG
Run · road · 5K
Hill of a Race
Bloomington · 79 km away
22AUG
Run · road · 5K
Mansfield 5K Run & Walk
Mansfield · 28 km away
SEP 3
12SEP
Run · trail · 5K
Kennekuk Road Runners - Wild Wild Wilderness
Oakwood · 38 km away
19SEP
Run · road · 5K
Color Run for Nash
Tuscola · 30 km away
26SEP
Run · road · 5K
Empower Through Health 5K
Urbana · 3 km away
Champaign-Urbana · 80 km
17 races mapped
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Recurring 5K races near Champaign-Urbana
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Shoreline Classic
The Shoreline Classic, a fall road race in Decatur, Illinois, begins from Pavilion Drive near Lake Decatur. Participants can select a USATF-certified 5K or 15K, suitable for both competitive racers and recreational runners. The event also offers virtual 5K and 15K races, along with a Tot Trot for children aged 1 to 14.
The in-person 5K and 15K follow the shores of Lake Decatur. The 5K presents a quicker route, while the 15K incorporates rolling hills for those seeking a longer, less level course. The race attracts participants and observers from throughout Illinois, and the Tot Trot adds a family-friendly dimension, balancing the focus on adult distance events.
Run The Woods
Run The Woods is an annual trail event at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, 21 Timber Pointe Lane in Hudson, Illinois, offering 5K and 8K races along with a 1-mile hike. It takes place in the fall, designed for those preferring a short off-road race or walk away from a road-race crowd.
The trails wind through wooded paths beside Lake Bloomington, welcoming seasoned runners, casual joggers, and families. Proceeds benefit Easterseals Central Illinois, aiding campers at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, which supports children with developmental delays, disabilities, and special needs. Post-race, participants receive breakfast, and awards and prizes are presented.
Warren Riverside Run 5k
The Warren Riverside Run 5k is a small fall run and walk held at Riverside Park in Warren, Indiana. The start and finish are located at 126 E 1st St. This annual event is in its third year and limits registration to 200 participants. All proceeds benefit the Warren Chamber of Commerce, and Revival Track Club manages race timing and results.
The 5k route includes crossing a bridge, following the Salamonie River, and looping through Riverside Park before returning to the park for post-race refreshments. Participants receive a shirt, bib, and finisher award. Overall, masters, and age-group winners can receive awards if they attend the ceremony. Children 7 and under may participate for free without timing or race materials. Dogs are permitted if kept on a supervised, non-retractable leash.
Shake Your Trail Feather Trail Run
The Shake Your Trail Feather Trail Run takes place in Charleston, Illinois, held on a 149-acre private property situated between Fox Ridge and Warbler Ridge. Participants can select from short trail runs or longer distances up to 50k. The shorter races commence in the morning, with half-marathon-length and ultra-distance runners starting later in the day.
The course features grass paths and single dirt tracks winding through timber, ravines, and along the Embarras River. Living in Touch with Exercise LLC organizes the event, catering to runners seeking a low-key, nature-focused trail experience away from road races or busy urban events.
Race the Dead
Race the Dead is a 5K fun run in Towanda, Illinois, beginning at sundown from Kicks Bar and Grill. It focuses on Halloween-style running, not serious competition: participants are encouraged to dress up, startle other runners, and contend for costume awards, though costumes are not required. The run is not officially timed, but a lit clock at the finish allows runners to view their own time.
The route follows an out-and-back path on old Dead Route 66, with luminaries guiding the way and passing Towanda’s historic haunted cemetery. Participants should bring a flashlight, suiting the sundown start and the eerie atmosphere. The single water stop is positioned near the start and finish, allowing runners to visit it twice; it offers water alongside seasonal snacks and drinks. Registration also includes a voucher for a soft drink or beer at Kicks, positioning the event as a community night run rather than a formal road race.
Cupcake 5K
The Cupcake Fun Run is a flat, easy 1-mile run/walk at Bayside Middle School, not an elite race or a long-distance test. It is an annual school-community event that welcomes runners, walkers, children, families, and anyone who wants to join at a relaxed pace.
The finish line comes with the race’s main treat: every participant gets a cupcake after completing the course. The day also includes food trucks, an espresso and milkshake truck, a bounce house, and teacher-led inflatable-run antics, so it feels as much like a school festival as a race. The event is the PTO’s biggest fundraiser each year and brings in almost a quarter of its annual fundraising, with the money supporting local schools.
Rattlesnake Master Run for the Prairie
The Rattlesnake Master Run for the Prairie circles Meadowbrook Park and its prairie in Urbana, Illinois, featuring a 10K run, a 5K run, and a 5K walk. All events begin from the park on South Race Street. The event proceeds regardless of weather, utilizing portions of the park's 130 acres. It incorporates some trail running, distinguishing it from a standard road race. The entry fee is kept modest, medals are provided, and participants may purchase a shirt separately rather than having one included with registration. Virtual 5K and 10K options are available for those wishing to support the race remotely; these results are posted separately and are not eligible for medals.
The race supports Grand Prairie Friends, a land trust and conservation organization in central Illinois, aligning with the event's location. The course winds around prairie habitat, avoiding a downtown street layout. Participants of all ages are welcome, with age-group awards for the 5K and 10K runs and wider age categories for the walk. The event has a small, local atmosphere, featuring music, volunteers, and packet pickup at a running store in nearby Savoy, with race-day pickup at Meadowbrook Park's Garden Pavilion. The name derives from Rattlesnake Master, a tallgrass prairie plant (Eryngium yuccifolium). Native Americans used its dried seed heads as rattles, and early settlers mistakenly thought its roots could cure rattlesnake bites.
Veteran's Day 5K
The Veteran's Day 5K is a morning race at English Landing Park in Parkville, Missouri, beginning at 8:00 AM. This event honors U.S. military service members, with every finisher receiving a custom medal. Participants have the option to purchase a long-sleeve event shirt, and teams of four or more qualify for a registration discount.
The race is held in memory of Ed Burnham, a long-time local runner, World War II veteran, and VFW employee. While top runners vie for overall and age-group awards, the event welcomes families, friends, and workplace teams seeking a brief Veterans Day run. A portion of the proceeds benefits the VFW Foundation, supporting overseas troops, U.S. military families, and underserved veterans.
2025 Turkey Trot
Turkey Trot LA guides participants through downtown Los Angeles, featuring the Walt Disney Concert Hall along the route and Grand Park as the finish-line hub. The race offers a 5K, a 10K, and a Combo option for those completing both distances, alongside a 5K virtual run for remote participation. Additionally, the Widdlewobble, a 1-mile dog jog, adds a unique element beyond a typical road race.
The downtown course winds past historic structures before concluding in Grand Park, which hosts a post-event festival. Packet pickup is available before race day and recommended; race-morning pickup begins early to accommodate parking, road closures, bib collection, shirt distribution, and start-line timing. The event also supports fundraising, attracting families, dog owners, virtual participants, and runners contributing to a cause.
Lace Up for a Cause: For A Better Tomorrow (FBT) 5K & 2K
Every step at this community event supports youth in our community, helping Project OZ provide stability, opportunity, and hope for young people facing homelessness. Lace Up for a Cause features an interactive STEAM Quest with quick challenges and activities, perfect for kids, families, and curious minds. Bring your friends!
Onarga ALA Poppy 5K
The Onarga ALA Poppy 5K run/walk honors those who served and died for our country, with all proceeds supporting veterans and their families. You'll enjoy a flat, paved route through Onarga's streets and around Durham Park. The American Legion family will cheer you on, and all ages and strollers are welcome. Everyone gets a t-shirt and a swag bag from local businesses.
Looking for something else near Champaign-Urbana?
Other races in the next 90 days
About 5K races in Champaign-Urbana
Flat Miles, Park Loops, Big Wind
Champaign-Urbana hosts 28 5K races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
Locals run campus loops when they want steady base miles, because Lincoln, the quads, and the well-lit sidewalks make it easy. Crystal Lake and Busey Woods sit north of downtown Urbana off Broadway, and those loops feel good when the legs want shade and dirt. The Crystal Lake and Busey Woods loop is a 17 km route that gains 10 m. Second Wind Running Club keeps the group scene alive with Thursday fun runs from Riggs Beer Company. Illinois Marathon anchors the calendar, and Power of Parks 5k, Rattlesnake Master Run for the Prairie, and Run The Woods fill out the local race rhythm.
Locals ride flat roads, rail trail, and short gravel bits, then call the wind the real climb. Prairie Cycle Club hosts weekly rides from April to Labor Day, and riders can find a pace and group that fits their style. Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign runs a weekly Friday ride from the Campus Bicycle Center, and the ride covers 4 to 10 miles through and around Champaign-Urbana. The gravel out-and-back from 1st St to E Main St Spur runs 6 miles. Awful Weaver Cyclocross, Yankee Ridge, Arboretum, and Emulsicoat RR Gravel handle the rougher Z2 days. CU Across the Prairie, Ride for Ray, River to Rail Ride, and Illini Weekend Getaway are the anchor rides.
April works well for running, even when the day swings from near freezing to the mid-60s with wind or rain. Summer belongs to bikes, because Prairie Cycle Club rides run from April to Labor Day. Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run hits July 4th, Tolono Twilight Trek 5K lands June 26th, Countryside 10k lands June 6th, and Run Mahomet lands July 31st. Winter changes the whole feel for both sports, because this is a flat area but often with wind. Locals still bike year round, but layers, lights, and no sudden movements matter when spring semester snow shows up.