5K races near Grayslake

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.

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 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 Rosehill Cemetery 'Crypt' 5K Run/Walk is a nighttime 5K held within Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago's largest cemetery. Participants navigate a 350-acre Victorian-era burial ground, with options for a chip-timed race or a more relaxed fun run/walk. The course is lit by candlelight from start to finish, guiding participants past statues and mausoleums under an eerie glow instead of street lighting. Following the 5K, attendees proceed across the street to Fireside Inn for the post-race gathering.

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.

The Haunted Highlander Assault Trail Run is a Halloween-season 5K trail event using timed heats, with starts from early evening through 10:00 p.m. Participants can run, walk, or ruck, so the field is not limited to those chasing a fast road-race time. The trail is part race course and part haunted attraction, with sets, animatronics, and live actors along the route. After the 5K, people stay for a costume contest, bonfire, live entertainment, and food. Spectators pay a $10 fee, children 3 and under watch free, and parking is free.

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.

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.