STAY TUNED FOR 2025

Burnham Park at at 31st Street Beach
3100 S Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL US 60616

CONTACT US
Sonia Horvath
Director of Special Events & Partnerships
events@chicagoparksfoundation.org
(773) 505-9737

 

STAY TUNED FOR 2025

The Chicago Parks Foundation celebrated our 2nd Annual Run for the Parks: 5K Run, Walk or Roll on September 15th, 2024!

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 present our 5K event at beautiful Burnham Park.

Start the morning with either the timed Lakefront Trail 5K or a guided 1-Mile Burnham Wildlife Corridor Nature Walk. Then enjoy our Post-Race Pancake Party with fresh made pancakes, Goose Island beer, Micheladas, DJ, lawn games, awards, and community fun - all right in the park.

Your registration supports the Chicago Parks Foundation’s work to help make parks better, serving as your 501c3 community partner for over ten years. 

 

Participation Options

5K RUN, WALK OR ROLL
A timed out-and-back 5K course starting south of 31st Street Beach and heading south on the Lakefront Trail. The 5K 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. Accessibility guides welcome. All ages welcome. 

EVERYTHING BUT THE 5K
If you will not be completing the 5K race, we welcome you to enjoy an optional 1-mile guided nature walk along the beautiful Burnham Wildlife Corridor (wood chip path, not suitable for wheels), located just west of the Lakefront Trail 5K course. Led by the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program.

Guided walks will occur during the 5K race as an alternative activity. A great option for kids, family, and friends who want to support 5K participants. All ages welcome.

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

VOLUNTEER AT THE EVENT
Help make this event possible! Two volunteer shifts available (6AM-10AM or 8AM-1PM). Manual set-up and break-down labor required. Tasks will include cheering on our participants, gear check, packet pick-up, set-up/break-down, and more. Volunteers receive a free tshirt! Click here to learn more and register.

Learn More

  • You have two options for packet pickup:

    PRE-RACE DAY PICKUP
    Friday, September 13th | 3-7PM
    Fleet Feet South Loop
    Roosevelt Collection
    150 W Roosevelt Road
    Chicago, IL 60605

    RACE DAY PICKUP 
    Sunday, September 15th | 8-9AM
    Burnham Park at 31st Street Beach
    3155 S Lake Shore Dr
    Chicago, IL US 60616

    Your packet includes your bib and t-shirt. If you are able to pick up in advance on Friday, you'll be all set for Sunday!

    Thanks to our friends at Fleet Feet for hosting our pre-event packet pickup and supporting our event!

  • 8:00AM | Gear Check & Day-Of Registration / Packet Pickup

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

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

    Two Rounds of our Guided Nature Walk at 9:00AM & 10:15AM

    Post-Race Party til 12PM
    You did it! Come back and celebrate with pancakes, Goose Island beer and more refreshments, plus DJ, awards from Fleet Feet, and more.

  • Paid parking options (prices vary): 

    • Lot north of 31st Street Beachhouse. When entering the beach area from Fort Dearborn Drive, turn left (north) to access the lot. Once parked, head back south past the beachhouse to the race festivities. 

    • Underground lot at 31st Street Beachhouse. When entering the beach area from Fort Dearborn Drive, turn right (south) to access the lot. Once parked, head further south to the race festivities. 

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


    Public transit encouraged. Divvy Stations are located at 31st and 35th Street. Please budget time to get to the event - this will be a busy Sunday in Chicago! 

    • Gear check is available on-site on Sunday.

    • Porta-potties will be located on-site.

    • Day-of 5K registration is available for $50, but advance registration is encouraged.

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

    • 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.

    • Accessibility guides welcome.

    • Spectators are welcome without registration. Spectators do not have access to the 5K race or the 1-mile walk, and do not receive a t-shirt or food/beverage ticket.

    • This is a rain or shine event.

CPF Thanks Our Partners

Chicago Parks Foundation is proud to partner with Banner Wholesale Grocers, a Chicago’s very own family-owned business serving communities for nearly 100 years. Just like our city’s beloved parks, Banner is uniquely Chicago!

Run for the Parks 5K is also generously supported by Boxed Water, Move-tastic!, ATI Physical Therapy, and Goose Island Beer Co., Fleet Feet, and the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program.

The Chicago Parks Foundation is the 501c3 Partner of the Chicago Parks.