5K races near Woodstock

The Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest begins and ends at Mount Saint Mary Park in St. Charles, Illinois, featuring beer samples integrated into the run. This is a certified, professionally timed 5K designed for both competitive runners and walkers, utilizing a wave start to organize participants by speed. The event is restricted to individuals aged 21 and over, including the festival area. 5K participants must collect their race packets beforehand with a valid ID. The course follows the river path towards Geneva, passes through Wheeler Park, and returns to Mount Saint Mary Park for the BrewFest. Along the route, Beer Stops offer 3-ounce samples from local craft breweries. The post-race festival includes additional beer samples, live music, food vendors, raffle tickets for the Mountain of Beer, and an Adaptive Bike Giveaway. Attendees can register for both the 5K and BrewFest, opt for a BrewFest-only ticket, or attend as a designated driver. Proceeds benefit Project Mobility, an organization that facilitates adaptive cycling opportunities. Over the last nine years, the event has contributed to the donation of nearly $80,000 in adaptive bicycles.

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.

Nik's 7K Home Run & 1.5 Mile Walk is a morning run-and-walk fundraiser held at MercyHealth Sportscore Two. The Indoor Sports Center serves as the race site and the location for the post-race gathering. Participants can choose between a 7K run or a 1.5-mile walk. Check-in and registration begin at 8:00 AM, with both distances commencing at 9:00 AM. The funds raised benefit young adults aged 18 to 24 who are battling cancer. Organizers note this age group often lacks support, as pediatric programs typically conclude at 18 and adult programs begin at 25. Nik's Home Run represents the organization's primary annual fundraiser. Registration covers a T-shirt and a swag bag, followed by an indoor afterparty.

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 Jaimie Cox Memorial Run begins at Roscoe Middle School in Roscoe, Illinois. In October, participants can choose between a 5K run/walk and a 2-mile walk. The event honors Jaimie Cox and serves as a charity fundraiser, noted by organizers as the Roscoe area’s largest 5K charity event. Starting from the school, the course proceeds west to the historic Stone Bridge Trail. It then turns south, reaches a halfway point, and loops back to Roscoe Middle School. The route features mixed surfaces, including crushed limestone and gravel, offering a different feel than a typical road 5K and resembling more of a community trail run. Registration is available for walkers, runners, children, and virtual participants, broadening the event beyond a standard timed race.

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 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.

The Halloween Hustle 5K & Kids Dash is a late-October Halloween race morning in Palatine, Illinois, featuring a timed 5K, a Kids Dash, and a virtual 5K option. The Kids Dash begins at 8:30 AM for children ages 1 to 12, with the 5K starting at 9:00 AM. It is designed for families and runners alike: adults receive a long-sleeve dri-fit shirt, finisher medal, timing bib, and a drink or beer with a sandwich at Tap House Grill, while Kids Dash participants get a shirt, bib, medal, pumpkin, and a drink with a half sandwich. The race begins from the Adrenaline Special Events office area in Palatine, offering free parking at the Gateway Center Garage and Palatine Parking Deck. Tap House Grill hosts the post-race activities, including the after party, awards ceremony, and costume contest. Awards are presented to the top three overall male and female 5K finishers and the top three male and female runners in age groups from 10 and under through 85 and over. The costume contest has group, duo, kids, and individual categories, and the official charity partner is The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs.

The Day of the Dead Family 5K Run/Walk is a late-October 5K in Wheeling. It welcomes runners and walkers on the same course and is structured as a family event. Strollers and wagons are permitted, but pets are not. The race utilizes professional chip timing for official results. The route crosses Heritage Park and extends onto Wheeling streets, featuring music and entertainment along the way. Following the finish, participants can remain for awards, additional music, food, a refreshment table, participation medals, first-place awards, and complimentary photo downloads from the event.