Run for the Parks!
5K Run, Walk or Roll

Sunday, September 13th 2026

9am–12pm

Burnham Park at 31st Street Beach
3155 S Lake Shore Drive (Beach House)
Chicago, IL US 60616

Contact Us
run@chicagoparksfoundation.org

Interested in sponsorship opportunities?
events@chicagoparksfoundation.org

 

Run for the Parks! 5K Run, Walk or Roll

Sponsored by Banner Wholesale Grocers

Get moving on the Lakefront Trail and join us for a community celebration of our parks! In partnership with Banner Wholesale Grocers, the Chicago Parks Foundation is thrilled to bring our 5K event back for our fourth year at beautiful Burnham Park.

  • Timed out-and-back Lakefront Trail 5K course

  • 1-Mile Nature Walk on the Burnham Wildlife Corridor

  • 400m or 800m Lakefront Trail Kids Dash 

  • Post-Race Pancake Party 

  • New exclusive t-shirt design by David Lee Csicsko

  • Food, drinks, fun and freebies! 

Register Now
 

Participation Options

5K RUN, WALK OR ROLL 

Timed out-and-back 5K course starting south of 31st Street Beach and heading south on the Lakefront Trail. 

The course takes place on the paved pedestrian pathway of the Lakefront Trail. Course suitable only for walkers, runners, and manual wheelchair participants of all paces. Course not suited for bicycles, handcycles, or rollerblades. All ages and abilities welcome; accessibility guides welcome.

1-MILE NATURE WALK  

1-mile nature walk along the beautiful Burnham Wildlife Corridor guided by Illinois Extension Master Naturalists - move and learn!

Guided walks will occur during the 5K race as an alternate activity - choose one or the other. A great option for kids, family, and friends who want to support 5K participants. All ages welcome. This is a woodchip path not suitable for wheels. 

KIDS DASH 

After the 5K race takes off, kids can get out on the Lakefront Trail course for a 400m or 800m dash of their own! 

For ages 10 and under. Distance will be selected on event day. Children participating only in the Kids Dash must be supervised before and after dash. Alternatively, children are welcome to register for the 5K or the 1-Mile Nature Walk.

All registered participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and access to the post-race party including food/beverage ticket. 

CPF Thanks Our Partners

Chicago Parks Foundation is proud to once again partner with Banner Wholesale Grocers as our fourth time Presenting Sponsor. Banner is a local family-owned business, celebrating their 100th year of service in 2026!

Special thanks to Illinois Extension Master Naturalists for joining us as our 2026 Nature Walk Sponsor to guide us on the Burnham Wildlife Corridor. 

Support also provided by Sharprint, ATI Physical Therapy, Fleet Feet, Move-tastic!, and Goose Island. 

Who are we? Chicago Parks Foundation. Public parks need private support. We are the private organization helping our public parks thrive. A little green goes a long way thanks to you. 

Event Reminders

  • 5K race begins promptly at 9AM. Please arrive early. We'll be there at 7AM! 

  • Parking options require a short walk (see options below). Make sure to budget extra time for parking and walking to the event location.  

  • Optional Pre-Race Packet Pickup on Friday 9/11 at Fleet Feet Old Town. 

  • Day-of packet pickup is also available on-site starting at 7AM.

Contact us with any questions at run@chicagoparksfoundation.org, and check out additional event info below.  

  • 7:00AM | Packet Pickup and Gear Check Open

    8:45AM | Pre-Race Stretch led by ATI Physical Therapy

    9:00AM | 5K Run, Walk or Roll BEGINS  

    9:00AM | First Guided Nature Walk BEGINS 

    9:45AM | Kids Dash BEGINS

    Post-Race Party until 12PM
    Celebrate with pancakes, Goose Island beer and refreshments, plus DJ, awards from Fleet Feet, and more!

  • Packet includes your 5K bib and t-shirt. You have two options for packet pickup:

    PRE-RACE DAY PICKUP
    Friday, September 11th | 3PM-7PM
    Fleet Feet Old Town
    1706 N. Wells Street
    Chicago, IL 60657

    RACE DAY PICKUP
    Sunday, September 13th | 7AM-8:45AM on-site before event begins 

     

  • Burnham Park just south of 31st Street Beach
    3155 S Lake Shore Drive (Beach House Address)
    Chicago, IL US 60616

    Tip: Plan for a 10-minute walk to the event area. Our event is set up just east of the Burnham Park Skate Park (searchable on Google Maps). But you cannot drive directly to this address. 

    If arriving via public transit or ride share, use the Beach House address for drop-off. Then enter the Lakefront Trail directly across from (west of) the Beach House and walk south on the trail following signage to the event area. 

    If driving, take the 31st Street exit from Lake Shore Drive. Choose one of the parking options below and follow instructions for walking to the event site. 

    PARKING 

    Paid parking options (prices vary): 

    • Lot north of 31st Street Beach House. Look for our volunteers and signage guiding you here! When heading east on 31st Street toward the Beach House, turn left (north) at the entrance to access the parking lot via Fort Dearborn Drive. From the lot, access the Lakefront Trail near the beach and walk south to the event area following signage. 

    • Lot on west side of Lake Shore Drive (607-647 E 31st Street Parking). Once parked, walk via the skybridge across Lake Shore Drive to 31st Street Beach. Once on east side, head south from bridge towards event area. 

  • Event

    • Plan for at least 10 minutes of walking to arrive at the event area. 

    • Day-of walk-up registration is available on-site.

    • Complimentary gear check is available for everyone on-site. 

    • Porta-potties will be located within the event site. Bathrooms are also available at the 31st Street Beach House.

    • All registrations include a food/beverage ticket, t-shirt, and medal. 

    • Fleet Feet gift cards will be awarded to Overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

    • Event is rain or shine unless otherwise notified. 

    Course

    • 5K is a timed out-and-back course starting south of 31st Street Beach and heading south on the paved pedestrian pathway of the Lakefront Trail. Turn around is just past 43rd Street. 

    • 5K course suitable only for walkers, runners, and manual wheelchair participants of all paces. Course NOT suited for bicycles, handcycles, or rollerblades. 

    • 1-Mile Nature Walk takes place on the Burnham Wildlife Corridor. This is a woodchip path not suitable for wheels.

    • Kids Dash takes place on the same portion of the Lakefront Trail with a staggered start time from the 5K. 

    • Accessibility guides welcome. 

    Kids

    • Kids Dash is for children ages 10 and under. Children participating only in the Kids Dash must be supervised before and after dash. 

    • Children are welcome to register for the 5K or the 1-Mile Nature Walk in addition to OR instead of the Kids Dash.

    • This event is stroller friendly. For safety reasons, if you are running with a stroller please line up behind other participants at the Start Line. 

    • No dogs please.