5K races near Kankakee

Kankakee River Base Miles

Kankakee hosts 76 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 the river first, because Kankakee is built around that line. KRRC has been the steady crew since 1979, and the club gets together for Tuesday and Thursday runs at 6:00 PM. Perry Farm Park gives runners five miles of paved trails for easy Z2 laps. Kankakee River State Park gives runners over 10 miles of trails when base miles need trees. Riverfront Park keeps a quick quarter-mile loop handy. KRRC puts on an 8-Hour or 4-Hour Race to keep race days on the calendar.

Locals ride Riverfront Trailways when they want more than 10 miles along the Kankakee River without overthinking it. Kankakee River State Park Trail runs 11 miles on both sides of the river, and riders call it a beautiful ride all the way through. Kankakee River Bike Club anchors the bike scene with Two Rivers Century, which starts in Kankakee and follows the Kankakee River and the mouth of the Iroquois River. Cobb Park Criterium gives the town a proper crit. The Cobb Park Criterium course is 5 km and gains 265 m.

Summer runs start with KRRC on Tuesdays and Thursday nights at 6:00 PM at the YMCA. August gives cyclists Two Rivers Century on the Sunday of the first full weekend, so locals stack base miles before then. Kankakee River State Park rides feel good when trees sit on both sides and the wind has near zero effect. Winter moves KRRC runs to Olivet at 6:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Winter also turns rides into shorter Z2 work, off-the-couch rebuilds, and steady trail time before crit legs and gran fondo miles come back.