Steps toward Change 5K
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About the race
Steps Toward Change 5K is a community run and walk event in Jackson Park, Chicago, IL, held on October 17, 2026. The event is presented by M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment and focuses on violence and bullying prevention and youth mental health awareness.
The event offers a 5K distance with both live and virtual participation options. Live participants compete in age-group categories listed as 19 and under, 20 to 39, and 40 and over. Virtual participants may complete their distance between October 9 and October 18, 2026, and submit results through the event platform. The virtual program supports activity tracking with the ASICS Runkeeper app and linked devices such as Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple Watch, or by manual result submission.
Registration pricing shown for the event period includes a youth rate for ages 19 and under and an adult rate for ages 20 and over. Race day registration and packet pickup are available at the race site. The event also supports fundraising activities and displays fundraising leaderboards; one listed fundraising organization shows $349.53 raised toward its goal.
The presentation emphasizes community support for mentorship programs, confidence building, resilience, and leadership skills for youth, and includes both in-person and virtual participation pathways to accommodate different needs. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
