What better way to build community, support local and national charities, and encourage healthy lifestyles for your family than participating in an upcoming fun run or 5K? There are several opportunities to join in on trail runs, a 2K, or a full 5K. Even if running isnβt 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 Wheaton Park District.
Super Hero Fun Run
Super Hero Fun Run
April 15, 2023 | 8:30 am
Memorial Park, Wheaton
Get your capes ready for the Super Hero Fun Run coming to Memorial Park in Wheaton on Saturday, April 15. Hosted by the Wheaton Park District and the Wheaton Rotary A.M., this 5k run/walk steps off at 8:30am and will include Super Hero Meet & Greets and a post-race party complete with music and post-race refreshments. Plus all participants receive a Cape Back Pack and finishers medal. Proceeds benefit the Sensory Garden Playground in Lisle providing accessible play for all. Click here to learn more and register for the Super Hero Fun Run and use the code SPRING for $5 off!
To learn more about the Sensory Garden Playground, visit playforalldupage.org.
April 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Superhero Fun Run (Wheaton)
April 15, 2023 | 8:30 am
Benefits Play for All Playground and Garden Foundation and Rotary Charities. See more info above and use the code SPRING for $5 off your registration.
Ruff Run (Plainfield)
April 15, 2023 | 9:00 am
Benefits Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue.
Run, Walk and Roll 5k and 1-Mile (Bloomingdale)
April 16, 2023 | 8:30 am
Benefits care and services provided at Marklund.
Mustang Trot 5K Run/Walk (Downers Grove South High School)
April 16, 2023 | 9:00 am
Benefits The Gift of Hope Community Foundation.
Saw Wee See Spring Trail Run (Yorkville)
April 22, 2023 | 4:00 pm
Fight Hunger 5K/10K Run/Walk
April 22, 2023 | 8:30 am
Benefits the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
2K Glow Run and Walk (Glen Ellyn)
April 23, 2023 | 7:00 pm
Earth Day Run (Brookfield)
April 23, 2023 | 8:00 am
Purple Stride Chicago 5k (Soldier Field, Chicago)
April 29, 2023 | 8:30 am
Benefits the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Good Life Race (Oak Park River Forest High School)
April 30, 2023 | 8:45 am
Benefits the Collaboration for Early Childhood and Beyond Hunger.
BT 5K Run and Walk (Maggie Daley Park, Chicago)
April 30, 2023 | 8:00 am
Benefits the American Brain Tumor Association.
Run for 102 (La Grange Park)
April 30, 2023 | 8:00 am
PTO/PTCs for the six schools in District 102.
Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2023
various start dates
Five-race series with events of different lengths for 2-year-olds through 8th graders.
May 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Cinco de Mayo Color Crawl (West Chicago)
May 5, 2023 | 6:00 pm
Sprint 2 Spring 5K (Elgin)
May 6, 2023 | 8:00 am
Benefits the Hanover Township Foundation.
SVF Friars 5K, Fun Run & Sr. Shuffle (River Forest)
May 6, 2023 | 8:00 am
Benefits St. Vincent Ferrer.
Stars and Spikes 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run (Lombard)
May 6, 2023 | 9:00 am
Benefits the American Cancer Society/.
Pink 5K (Oak Brook)
Saturday, May 13, 2023 | 8:00 am
Benefits the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation Open Arms Breast Cancer Outreach Fund.
Kids Run This City 1K, 2K and 3K (Lincoln Park, Chicago)
May 13, 2023 | 10:30 am
Benefits Chicago Hopes for Kids.
Run for the Roses (La Grange Park)
May 14, 2023 | 8:00 am
Half of the proceeds will go to Interfaith Community Partners.
Mutt Strut 5K & 1-Mile Puppy Path (Lombard)
May 20, 2023 | 8:00 am
G.L.O.W. 5K Run (Naperville)
May 20, 2023 | 8:15 pm
Benefits the Jeanine Nicarico Memorial Fund for Literacy.
Darien Dash 5K/10K & 1-Mile Run/Walk
May 21, 2023 | 8:00 am
Walk the Walk for Mental Health (Hinsdale)
May 21, 2023 | 8:00 am
Tower Trot 5K, 10K, Double, and Fun Run (Western Springs)
May 27, 2023 | 8:30 am
Fundraising for Healing Hearts for Ashley will be held in conjunction with the race.
Race to the Flag 5K (Westmont)
May 28, 2023 | 8:00 am
Benefits Peopleβs Resource Center, Westmont Lions Club, Westmont Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, Westmont High School, Oakwood Homeownerβs Association & the Village of Westmont.
June 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals 5K and 10K (half-mile kids’ run) (Wheaton)
June 3, 2023 | 7:30 am
Benefits funds for Cosley Zoo animals, exhibit development projects, public programs, and conservation projects.
Hometown Half Marathon (Wheaton)
June 4, 2023 | 7:00 am
Run for the Zoo 5K Run, Walk and Safari Stampede (Chicago)
June 4, 2023 | 7:30 am
Benefits Lincoln Park Zoo.
La Grange Rocks 5K
June 9, 2023 | 6:00 pm
Benefits The LeaderShop.
Run for the Mind 5K Run and Walk
June 10, 2023 | 8:00am
Walk and Roll Chicago 5K Run/Walk (Soldier Field, Chicago)
June 10, 2023 | 7:30 am
Benefits the American Cancer Society.
Attack the PAC Tri (Elk Grove Village)
June 11, 2023 | 6:00 am – 12:00 pm
Shopping Cart Shuffle 5K Run/Walk & Kids Dash (Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, Bloomingdale)
June 24, 2023 | 8:15 am
Benefits Neighborhood Food Pantries
July 2023 Races and Fun Runs
4 on the 4th (Downtown Elmhurst)
July 4, 2023 | 7:15 am
Benefits local charities in need.
Freedom Four 4Mile Run (Glen Ellyn)
July 4, 2023 | 7:30 am
Riverside Independence Day 5K
July 4, 2023 | 7:30 am
Firecracker 5K (Warrenville)
July 4, 2023 | 8:00 am
Tri the Rainbow (Elk Grove Village)
July 9, 2023 | 7:00am – 10:00am
Tiny Tot Triathlon (La Grange)
July 15, 2023 | 10:00am – 11:00am
Participants must be 3-5 years old.
Ben’s Memorial Mile (Downers Grove)
July 22, 2023 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Spectators can participate in the festivities.
Dash, Splash and Climb for the Mind (Tri-Town YMCA, Villa Park)
July 29, 2023 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Strong Kids Triathlon (Wheeling)
July 30, 2023 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Participants must be 5-14 years old.
August 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Bubble Fun Run (Park Ridge)
August 5, 2023 | 8:00am – 12:00pm
TwiLight Fun Run (Palatine)
August 18, 2023 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Stanβs Donut 5K Run, Walk and Kids Dash (Montrose Harbor, Chicago)
August 19, 2023 | 8:00am
Parkieβs 5k and Super Parkieβs Fun Run (Bolingbrook)
August 26, 2023 | 8:00am – 10:00am
September 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Medinah Color Run
September 8, 2023 | 4:30pm – 5:45pm
PAWS Chicago 5K Walk/Run (Montrose Harbor, Chicago)
September 9, 2019 | 7:30 am
Benefits PAWS Chicago.
Janeβs Warriors 5K Run and Walk (Orland Park)
September 10, 2023 | 8:30 am
Brookfield Zoo Run
September 10, 2023 | 8:30am – 10:00am
Color Run (River Forest)
September 16, 2023 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Mecca Moves Walk, Run, Roll (Burr Ridge)
September 16, 2023 | 8:00am start
Harvest Hustle 5K and Kids Mile (Geneva)
September 16, 2023 | 10:00am
Thin Mint Sprint (Fox River Grove)
September 16, 2023 | 8:30am – 12:00pm
Lake Ellyn 1-Mile Classic and Kids Dash (Glen Ellyn)
September 17, 2023 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Mt. Melas Jr. Adventure Run (Mount Prospect)
September 22, 2023 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Wear Your Color Run to Support Cancer Awareness (Hoffman Estates)
September 23, 2023 | 9:00am – 11:00am
Race to Wrigley 5K (Wrigley Field, Chicago)
September 30, 2023 | 8:00 am
Benefits Cubs Charities.
Run for the Kids Superhero Hustle 5K Run/2K Walk (Villa Park)
September 30, 2023 | 9:00 am
Benefits Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley.
October 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Cheesy Pretzel 5k and 1 Mile Walk (Bolingbrook)
October 8, 2023 | 8:00am – 11:00am
The Scarecrow Scramble (Lisle)
October 14, 2023 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Howl-O-Ween 5K (Bolingbrook)
October 22, 2023 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Day of the Dead 5K (Wheeling)
October 29, 2023 | 8:00am – 10:00am
Hephzibah Halloween Fun Run and Walk (Oak Park)
October 29, 2023 | 9:00am – 11:30am
November 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Beat the Eagle 5K and Kids 1-Mile Timed Run (Lombard)
November 11, 2023 | 8:00 am
Benefits St. Johnβs School.
Gobbler Hobbler 10K and Mashed Potato Mile (Oswego)
November 12, 2023 | 8:30am – 10:30am
December 2023 Races and Fun Runs
Frigid 5K (Lemont)
December 3, 2023 | 8:00am – 10:00am
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.
