5K races near Evanston

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

The Downers Grove, IL Ostomy 5k is a 5k run and walk in Downers Grove, Illinois, held for Ostomy Awareness Day. This is the event's third year and includes both open entry and separate OSTOMATE participant categories, so ostomates are directly included in the race structure, not just part of the crowd. The day is designed for families and 5k participants, with 50-yard Kids Run dashes for ages 5 and under and ages 6 through 10. Dogs and other pets are welcome if they can be outside safely, and organizers provide water and a water bowl for them. Race Time Race Management handles timing, providing a proper race setup for the 5k while remaining open to walkers, kids, pets, and supporters.

Luminaria light the gently rolling paths for the Scarecrow Scramble, a nighttime 5K run/walk in Lisle Community Park, Lisle, Illinois. The event takes place in October and maintains a family atmosphere, offering a main 5K alongside a Youth Run and Tot Dash for younger participants. The 5K follows a USATF certified course through the park, suitable for serious runners seeking a timed race, while walkers and families can comfortably participate. Costumes are encouraged, adding to the Halloween-season ambiance. Proceeds benefit recreation scholarships for low-income families via the Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation and support the Lisle Teens with Character program; participants have raised over $7,000 in a previous year. This marks the race's 21st year, and its guidelines ensure an organized course: pets are not permitted on the route, and strollers are permitted only for 5K walkers beginning at the rear.

Boo Island is a 5K charity run/walk in Blue Island, Illinois, starting at 10:00 AM CDT from the corner of Canal Street and Olde Western Avenue. The entry fee is $35, and the event is designed for both runners and walkers, not just those focused on racing. The route follows the Cal-Sag Trail, offering participants a direct local path for the 5K distance. Funds raised support the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, assisting with rent, utility bills, furnace repairs, and transportation for medical appointments or work.

The Rotary Run Charity Classic is a family running event in Hinsdale, known locally as Hinsdale's Family Run. Now in its 30th year, the event maintains a straightforward approach with affordable entry fees, a reduced rate for families, and race choices suitable for various ages and skill levels. The event focuses on families participating together, rather than a single competitive field. Entry fees support Rotary's charitable initiatives, both in the local community and abroad, making the day a combination of a race, a family activity, and a fundraising effort.

The Chicago HFTC 5K begins and ends at 4400 N Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, with runners starting at 8:00 AM Central Time. This is a standard 5 km road race and is part of the Head for the Cure 5K series. The race location is on Chicago’s North Side near Lake Michigan, with Lake Shore Drive serving as the main point. The provided race information emphasizes the basic 5K format instead of a detailed course map. Therefore, the key details are the distance, the early start time, the Chicago lakefront setting, and its connection to the broader Head for the Cure series.

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.

Jonathan Burr Elementary School hosts the 27th Running of the Bucktown 5K & Kids Run, inviting families to "Lace up, grab your crew" for a community event. This tradition sets the stage for a lively local race, perfect for those seeking an encouraging atmosphere. Participants can look forward to the tradition to "run for donuts," offering a treat at the finish line for all. With a dedicated kids run, this event is designed for families and friends to enjoy together, making it a memorable and popular outing that's "almost SOLD OUT!".

The Bronzeville 5K Run/Walk begins at 4433 South St. Lawrence in Chicago, guiding participants through historic Bronzeville. This 5K is open to all ages, designed for families, neighbors, local runners, and anyone seeking a community fitness event rather than a competition solely for serious athletes. The event is now in its sixth year and generates funds for schools within the Bronzeville community. We Run Sports, the organizer, emphasizes active lifestyles, recreational sports, health, and community involvement. Its nonprofit branch, the Spaulding Foundation, backs initiatives that leverage sports for improved well-being and directs proceeds to other 501(c)(3) organizations.

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.

El Trote De Las Calacas, the Skeleton Trot, is a USATF-certified 5K run and walk in Elgin, Illinois. It starts from the Gail Borden Public Library on North Grove Avenue. The race is connected to Day of the Dead. The morning includes music, food, performers, dancing catrinas, costumes, and a festival inside the library. The Gail Borden Public Library District Foundation and the U-46 Educational Foundation organize it, with support from the City of Elgin. The route begins at the library, goes through Elgin’s historic northeast neighborhood, and uses the Fox River bike path for a portion of the 5K. Runners and walkers participate together, with recent crowds exceeding 1,000. An ofrenda, a cultural marketplace, and Day of the Dead costumes contribute to the community festival atmosphere. Proceeds benefit child-focused nonprofits associated with School District U-46 and the Gail Borden Public Library District.

The Abbott Chicago 5K is a Saturday 5K held in downtown Chicago during Bank of America Chicago Marathon weekend. It offers marathon spectators, family, and friends a short race of their own, and also serves as a straightforward shakeout run for athletes preparing for Sunday's marathon. The course begins downtown, heads toward the Lakefront Trail, and concludes near Shedd Aquarium by the museum campus. The broader marathon weekend draws participants from all 50 states and over 100 countries, allowing the 5K to share in the international atmosphere and city-wide energy without requiring participants to complete the full marathon distance.