10K races near Pekin

Screaming Pumpkin directs runners into Springdale Cemetery in Peoria, Illinois, for a fall night race with a Halloween theme. The offerings range from a family-friendly 2-mile walk or run to a 6.55-mile race (10k-ish), a half marathon, a full marathon, and a four-person marathon relay. The longer races are prediction runs; the fastest runner does not automatically win. Runners select a start time and aim to finish as close as possible to the cutoff time without exceeding it. The course begins in lower Glen Oak Park and incorporates Springdale Cemetery, one of Illinois’s oldest and largest cemeteries, with 78,000 people interred across 230 acres. Expect winding trails, actual hills, darkness, and minimal reliance on technology: GPS devices and watches are prohibited, and phones are for emergencies only. The half marathon, marathon, and relay attract participants who value strategy as much as speed, while the shorter races offer walkers, families, and Halloween-themed runners access to the same cemetery setting. The event benefits the Yellow Bear Foundation, which supports awareness and research funding for Primary Immunodeficiency.

The Spring Stampede trail races are at Wildlife Prairie Park. The course loops on maintenance trails and single track. The 5k is easy, but the 10k is more demanding, especially the second half. Your entry includes park admission; bring the family. Unique awards for overall winners and post-race snacks are provided.