Run for the Parks 5K
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Run for the Parks 5K : 4th Annual
The Chicago Parks Foundation organizes the 4th Annual Run for the Parks on September 13, 2026 at Burnham Park at 31st Street Beach in Chicago. The event is sponsored by Banner Wholesale Grocers and includes a post-race pancake party with food and beverages.
Event options include:
- 5K: Timed out-and-back on the paved Lakefront Trail
- 1-mile nature walk: Guided walk on the Burnham Wildlife Corridor woodchip path
- Kids Dash: 400 m or 800 m; distance chosen on the day
Registration opens 3/17/2026 and closes 5/25/2026. Fees are listed by event: 5K $40, 1-mile walk $20, Kids Dash $10. Each registration includes a commemorative shirt and a post-race food and beverage ticket.
Course and accessibility notes: the 5K takes place on the paved pedestrian pathway of the Lakefront Trail and is suitable for walkers, runners, and manual wheelchair participants. The 5K course is not suited for bicycles, handcycles, or rollerblades. The guided nature walk follows a woodchip path and is not suitable for wheels. Children participating only in the Kids Dash must be supervised before and after the dash. All ages are welcome. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
