What better way to build community, support local and national charities, and encourage active lifestyles for your family than participating in upcoming fun runs or 5Ks? There are several opportunities to join in on trail runs, a 2K, or a full 5K. No fear if running isn’t for you. Walking, jogging, and stroller pushing is encouraged at several runs included on our list.
You could also join in on the fun and dress up for themed races, make signs to cheer on your friends and neighbors along the way, or partake in the post race festivities with live music and prizes. Cross the finish line as a family of change-makers, empowered to take on the next race ahead. Meet us at the starting line!
This article is sponsored by Oak Brook Park District and Wheaton Park District.
Superhero Fun Run
Superhero Fun Run
April 12, 2025 | 8:30am
Get ready to run, walk, and soar at the Superhero Fun Run on April 12 at the Sensory Garden Playground! This family-friendly 3K invites heroes of all ages and abilities to dress up and join the adventure. Whether you’re racing to the finish line or enjoying the journey at your own pace, the fun doesn’t stop after the run. Stick around for an afterparty on the playground with music, superhero meet-and-greets, and giveaways. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a heroic community event that supports inclusive play! Gather your sidekicks to sign up today!
Tom’s Try-athalon
Tom’s Try-athalon
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 8:00am
Don’t miss Tom’s Try-athlon! This friendly competition promotes exercise in a fun and energetic way. Kids will show off their skills and athleticism by participating in the three traditional triathlon events: swimming, biking and running (please note that failure to wear a bike helmet during the entire bike portion will result in disqualification).
Event starts promptly at 8am!
Age Groups: 6-8, 9-11, 12-14
Registration Information:
- $30 per participant-Before May 16
- $35 per participant-May 17-June 3
- Online registration ends June 3 at 11:59pm
- $40 Day of registration until 7:30am (if space available)
See here for more information and registration: Tom’s Try-athlon | Oak Brook Park District
April 2025 Races and Fun Runs
Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2025
various start dates and locations
Five-race series with events of different lengths for 2-year-olds through 8th graders.
2K Glow Run and Walk (Glen Ellyn)
April 5, 2025 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
1.25-mile fun run featuring glow items and a DJ.
Good Life Race (Oak Park River Forest High School)
April 6, 2025 | 8:30am
5k, Youth Mile, and Junior Dash. Benefits Housing Forward and & Collaboration for Early Childhood.
Mt. Melas Adventure Run (Mount Prospect)
April 12, 2025 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Participate individually or as a team.
Run for 102 (La Grange Park)
April 12, 2025 | 8:00am
PTO/PTCs for the six schools in District 102 host this 1-mile fun run and 5k.
Superhero Fun Run
Superhero Fun Run
April 12, 2025 | 8:30am
Get ready to run, walk, and soar at the Superhero Fun Run on April 12 at the Sensory Garden Playground! This family-friendly 3K invites heroes of all ages and abilities to dress up and join the adventure. Whether you’re racing to the finish line or enjoying the journey at your own pace, the fun doesn’t stop after the run. Stick around for an afterparty on the playground with music, superhero meet-and-greets, and giveaways. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a heroic community event that supports inclusive play! Gather your sidekicks to sign up today!
Mustang Trot 5K Run/Walk (Downers Grove South High School)
April 13, 2025 | 9:00am
Benefits Tzu Chi Foundation. Register in advance for discounted admission.
Chicken Run 5k, 10k, and Lil Peeps Kids’ Run (Batavia)
April 19, 2025 | 7:30am – 10:30am
Register in advance for discounted admission.
Walk for Autism (Arlington Heights)
April 19, 2025 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
1.25-mile family-friendly walk. No registration is required but t-shirts can be purchased.
Fox Trot Run/Walk (Peg Bond Center, Batavia)
April 26, 2025 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Includes a 0.25 and 1 mile run for youth up to 5th grade.
Run, Walk and Roll 5k and 1-Mile (Bloomingdale)
April 27, 2025 | 8:30am
Benefits care and services provided at Marklund.
May 2025 Races and Fun Runs
Color Run (Clarendon Hills)
May 2, 2025 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
2nd annual color run at Prospect Park. Register in advance.
Cinco de Mayo Color Crawl (West Chicago)
May 2, 2025 | 6:00pm
Two-mile walk and run through Kress Creek Farms Park. Register by April 20, 2025 to receive a t-shirt.
Windmill Whirl 5K Race and Kid Fun Run 1K (Batavia)
May 3, 2025 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Register in advance for t-shirt. Note: This race was moved to May, after previously being held in the summer months.
Color Run, Walk and Roll (Franklin Park)
May 4, 2025 | 9:00am – 10:00am
2-mile course featuring various activities along the way.
Mutt Strut 5K & 1-Mile Puppy Path (Lombard)
May 17, 2025 | 8:00am
Dogs are encouraged but not required.
Darien Dash 5K/10K & 1-Mile Run/Walk
May 17, 2025 | 8:00am
Also includes free kiddie fun run for ages 5 and under.
Run for the Roses (La Grange Park)
May 18, 2025 | 8:00am
A La Grange Park tradition for over 26 years.
Walk the Walk for Mental Health (Hinsdale)
May 18, 2025 | 9:00am
One-mile color walk supporting Community House.
Tower Trot 5K, 10K, Double, and Fun Run (Western Springs)
May 24, 2025 | 8:30am
Fundraising for Healing Hearts for Ashley will be held in conjunction with the race. Advance registration is required.
Kiwanis Cup Kid’s Race (Des Plaines)
May 31, 2025 | 8:00am – 9:30am
Compete in the race, then visit Family Day at Lake Park Golf Course and Marina.
June 2025 Races and Fun Runs
Roselle’s Run for the Roses
June 1, 2025 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Family-friendly 5k, as well as a 1/3 of a mile youth run afterwards.
Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals 5K and 10K (half-mile kids’ run) (Wheaton)
June 7, 2025 | 7:30am
Benefits funds for Cosley Zoo animals, exhibit development projects, public programs, and conservation projects.
Tom’s Try-athalon
Tom’s Try-athalon
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 8:00am
Don’t miss Tom’s Try-athlon! This friendly competition promotes exercise in a fun and energetic way. Kids will show off their skills and athleticism by participating in the three traditional triathlon events: swimming, biking and running (please note that failure to wear a bike helmet during the entire bike portion will result in disqualification).
Event starts promptly at 8am!
Age Groups: 6-8, 9-11, 12-14
Registration Information:
- $30 per participant-Before May 16
- $35 per participant-May 17-June 3
- Online registration ends June 3 at 11:59pm
- $40 Day of registration until 7:30am (if space available)
See here for more information and registration: Tom’s Try-athlon | Oak Brook Park District
Chicago Congenital Heart Walk (Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago)
June 7, 2025 | 8:30am – 12:00pm
Benefitting Children’s Heart Foundation.
Run for the Zoo (Chicago)
June 8, 2025 | 7:30am – 10:30am
Benefits Lincoln Park Zoo.
Firefly Race Series (Morton Arboretum, Lisle)
June 13, 2025 | 8:00pm – 9:00pm
3K Fun Run on June 13, 2025, with 10K the next morning.
Daisy Dash (Clarendon Hills)
June 15, 2025 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Family-friendly 5k and youth 1K fun-run.
July 2025 Races and Fun Runs
4 on the 4th (Downtown Elmhurst)
July 4, 2025 | 7:15am – 9:30am
4-mile race, followed by a Kids 1k.
Frontier Days Stampede (Arlington Heights)
July 6, 2025 | 7:30am – 9:00am
Ran in conjunction with the five day festival.
Stan’s Donut 5K Run, Walk and Kids Dash (Chicago)
July 26, 2025 | 7:00am
Race is located at Soldier Field and includes donuts along the course.
2025 Races Not Yet Announced
These family-friendly races and fun-runs were held in 2024, but have not announced their plans as of March 21, 2025. Check their websites for more details.
- Earth Day Run (Brookfield)
- Stars and Spikes 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run (Madison Elementary, Lombard)
- Color Run (Arlington Heights)
- La Grange Rocks 5K
- The Garden Dash 2K/4K (Prospect Heights)
- Shopping Cart Shuffle 5K Run/Walk & Kids Dash (Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, Bloomingdale)
- Tiny Tot Triathlon (La Grange)
Fall 2024 Races and Fun Runs
We’ve included last year’s information below to help you plan ahead for next year.
August 2024 Races and Fun Runs
TwiLight Fun Run (Palatine)
August 9, 2024 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Ben’s Memorial Mile (Downers Grove)
August 10, 2024 | times TBA
Newly designed event for 2024. Check back for more information.
2K Kids Color Bash Run (Glen Ellyn)
August 10, 2024 | 9:00am – 11:00am
Register in advance.
Parkie’s 5k and Super Parkie’s Fun Run (Bolingbrook)
August 24, 2024 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Register in advance for a cape.
St. Mary of Gostyn’s 5K Race and 1 Mile Run (Downers Grove)
August 24, 2024 | 8:00am – 12:00pm
Bartlett Lions Day Dash
August 25, 2024 | 8:00am – 10:00am
September 2024 Races and Fun Runs
Brookfield Zoo Run
September 8, 2024 | 8:30am
Proceeds benefit the Brookfield Zoo.
Medinah Color Run
September 13, 2024 | 5:30pm
Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk (Montrose Harbor, Chicago)
September 14, 2024 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
NAMI DuPage Run for the Mind (DuPage County Fairgrounds, Wheaton)
September 14, 2024 | 8:00am – 11:00am
Thin Mint Sprint (Fox River Grove)
September 14, 2024 | 8:30am – 12:00pm
Benefitting Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.
Lake Ellyn 1-Mile Classic and Kids Dash (Glen Ellyn)
September 15, 2024 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Color Run (River Forest)
September 21, 2024 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Inaugural 1-mile race, benefitting West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA).
Fit4Fall 5K and 1-Mile Youth Run (West Chicago)
September 21, 2024 | 7:30am – 9:30am
Harvest Hustle 5K and Kids Mile (Geneva)
September 21, 2024 | 10:15am start
Monster and Me Mile (Lemont)
September 21, 2024 | 12:00pm start
Inside Out Club’s Fall Family 5K (Danada Forest Preserve, Wheaton)
September 22, 2024 | 9:00am start
Field Park Fit Family 5K (Western Springs)
September 22, 2024 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Mecca Moves Walk, Run, Roll (Burr Ridge)
September 28, 2024 | times TBA
Family-friendly annual event at Burr Ridge Village Center.
October 2024 Races and Fun Runs
Run for the Kids Superhero Hustle 5K Run/2K Walk (Villa Park)
October 5, 2024 | 9:00am start
Benefits Easter Seals DuPage and Fox Valley.
River Run 5K, 10K and Kids Dash (Montgomery)
October 5, 2024 | 9:00am – 11:00am
The Kids Dash is new in 2024.
The Scarecrow Scramble (Lisle)
October 5, 2024 | 5:15pm start
Cheesy Pretzel 5k and 1 Mile Walk (Bolingbrook)
October 6, 2024 | 8:00am – 11:00am
Register in advance for this event through the Promenade.
Mummy Mile (St. Charles)
October 12, 2024 | 9:00am start
Howl-O-Ween 5K (Bolingbrook)
October 13, 2024 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Cantigny 5K Run Walk (Wheaton)
October 19, 2024 | 7:00am start
Includes 1-mile and 1/4-mile youth races.
Frank Lloyd Wright Races (Oak Park)
October 20, 2024 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Running for the 47th year through the streets of Oak Park.
Run Your Mutt Off (Warrenville)
October 26, 2024 | 8:00am – 12:00pm
Supports Naperville Area Humane Society.
Hephzibah Halloween Fun Run and Walk (Oak Park)
October 27, 2024 | 9:00am – 11:30am
Fraidycat 5k, 8k and Meow Mile (Oswego)
October 27, 2024 | 9:00am start
November 2024 Races and Fun Runs
Family Flashlight Walk (Rolling Meadows)
November 7, 2024 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Gobbler Hobbler 10K and Mashed Potato Mile (Oswego)
November 10, 2024 | 8:30am – 10:30am
Reindeer Run (Brookfield Zoo)
November 16, 2024 | 7:00pm start
Turkey Trot and Sammy Scurry (Palatine)
November 28, 2024 | 8:00am – 11:00am
December 2024 Races and Fun Runs
Chilly Chili 5K and 2K (Schaumburg)
December 7, 2024 | 10:00am start
Did we miss a race or fun run in your area? Let us know, and we’ll add it to the list! You can also check out our outdoor activities page for even more ways to enjoy the outdoors with your family.
