Kids Run This City
Challenging kids to push farther, inspiring them to go further
Join in the fun for Kids Run This City's inaugural race taking place on May 11th in Chicago's iconic Lincoln Park.
Featuring a 1K, 2K & 3K based on age group for kids 0-12, all runners will receive a race t-shirt, finisher's medal & custom cinch goodie bag!
Stick around after the race for a family friendly post-party including: a pizza & pasta lunch provided by The Little Meatball, bounce house & obstacle course, music, games hosted by Windy City Sports Academy, NY Kids Club and enerGEEwhiz, raffle prizes, finisher podium photos & more!
Simply by Suzy Photography will be capturing all the fun and runners will receive a link to their personal photos following the race.
Join your classmates, your neighbors and the friends you haven’t met yet and come out to race in Kids Run This City's inaugural event. We can’t wait to see you at the starting line!
Proceeds from the race will provide need-based participation in Chicago Park District youth summer camps
Registration fees
Team Trainers Closed
Ages 9 to 12
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$36.00Jan 1 - May 10
Team Laces Closed
Ages 5 to 8
-
$36.00Jan 1 - May 10
Team Velcro Closed
Age 4 & under
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$36.00Jan 1 - May 10
The Goods
All runners receive an exclusive race t-shirt, finisher medal and custom Kids Run This City cinch bag filled with fun swag!
Race Distances
By The Numbers
Every Kids Run This City race features three distances and suggested age groups. Distances for each division are meant to challenge kids and push them beyond their comfort zone, but are also intended to be generally achievable within the age group.
Race locations are park centric and thoughtfully considered to not only create a great race experience, but to expose families to green spaces in their neighborhood and connect them to active options in their community.
Team Velcro (Ages 4 & Under)
1K
If they can walk then they can run! The 1K distance, just over half a mile, will be most challenging for new-to-walking runners, but highly achievable and confidence boosting for our pre-schooler bunch.
Team Laces (Ages 5-8)
2K
This barely-more-than-a-mile distance is perfect for those at the younger end of the group who will aspire to finish, as well as those in the older group who may be developing their inner competitor and goal-driven personalities.
Team Trainers (Ages 9-12)
3K
At just under 2 miles this race really gets kids moving and everyone in the age group should be proud of their achievement. More seasoned runners can test their skills on this far, but not too far, course.
Race Day
Check in will take place at the South Field House inside Lincoln Park - just east of the intersection of Stockton and LaSalle Avenue
Packet pick up & same day registration will open at 9:00 AM on race morning. Race day registration will incur a $5 registration fee increase.
Races will start promptly per the schedule below. Registered runners should plan to arrive on site no later than 10am to ensure enough time for packet pick-up, bib placement and corral line-up.
As a reminder, caregivers are welcome & encouraged to participate with Team Velcro runners, both at the line-up and along the course, in order to facilitate a streamlined start and finish.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
- 9:00am: Packet Pick-Up and Same Day Registration Opens
- 10:00am: Team Velcro (4 & under) Warm-Up Games with enerGEEwhizz
- 10:20am: Team Velcro Line Up for Race
- 10:25am: Team Laces (5-8) and Team Trainers (9-12) Warm-Ups with enerGEEwhizz
- 10:30am: Team Velcro 1K Kick-Off
- 10:45am: Team Laces and Team Trainers Line Up for Race
- 10:50am: Team Laces 2K and Team Trainers 3K Kick-Off
- 11:00am: Post-Race Party Begins
- 11:30am: Raffle Drawings
TRANSPORTATION & PARKING
Public transportation is readily available with several train and bus routes that will get you to the event. To plan your trip using public transportation, please visit the Chicago Transit Authority's trip planner at www.transitchicago.com
The race will be held at the South Fields inside Lincoln Park, located at 1627 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 (LaSalle and Stockton).
For those that plan to drive, please note that the event is off the LaSalle exit on Lakeshore Drive. There is ample street parking along Stockton and neighboring streets, as well as a large paid parking lot directly across from the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers.
Can parents run with children?
Of course! One parent or caregiver per entry can run the course with their child and we encourage this especially for our Team Velcro kids (ages 0-4).
What about strollers and furry family members?
While we love stroller running and our four-legged road warriors, unfortunately no strollers or dogs are allowed on the course in order to ensure the safety of all our kiddos.
How will my child know where to line up for the start?
Kids will start in corrals according to the distance they registered for and then by age within each corral. If your child registered for a distance shorter than suggested for their age group, they should line up with the oldest age within that corral; if your child registered for a distance longer than suggested for their age group, they should line up with the youngest age within that corral. All start line corrals will be marked and race personnel will be available to help with any questions.
How will my child know where to run on the course?
The course will be clearly marked and color-coded for each distance which will correspond with the distance and color on their bib number. Course marshalls will be present along the course to direct children throughout the course, including around turns and any turning points in the race.
What will I get with my race registration?
In addition to an amazing race experience, all participants will receive a Kids Run This City race shirt, a bib, a finishers medal and more! Kids Run This City race shirts are also available for sale for parents/caregivers.
Family Discounts?
Registering more than one child? Take advantage of our family discount option - you can register up to 3 children and save!
Where can I get race results?
We will track times for each runner; for those who are interested in seeing their performance in numbers, race results will posted under the event on the website after the race is finalized. Your child will also received a personalized Finisher's Certificate as long as we have your email address.
Will there be race photos?
Simply by Suzy Photography will be capturing the fun along the race route. A link to the photos will be available on the website under the event after the race is finalized. Photos will be available for purchase through a third party site and all runners will receive a personalized link to their photos following the event.
What can I expect at the race day event?
Lots of energy and family friendly fun! Our post-race party is not to be missed! We will have plenty of family friendly entertainment including a pizza & pasta lunch hosted by The Little Meatball, race announcer, music, bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, games hosted by Windy City Sports Academy & NY Kids Club - Chicago, a participant raffle, a finisher podium for Instagram worthy photo ops, vendor booths to explore & more!
How do I get to the race?
While there is plenty of parking around Lincoln Park, public transportation is highly encouraged! Please visit https://www.transitchicago.com for more information.
Can kids run a distance not listed under their age group?
Kids’ event distances will be listed on the their bib and color coordinated for each distance and will help course marshals direct them along the route; if your child would like to run a distance other than what is suggested for their age group, they should select that distance during registration. Running within the suggested group is recommended as kids will start in corals based on their age within every distance to accommodate for speed variations and distances have been selected based on average ability. Should age group awards be available for your race, those not running in the age appropriate distance will not be eligible for an award.
Will there be bathroom & childcare facilities?
Yes bathrooms will be available, including an ADA accessible restroom. An enclosed childcare tent will be also be available including changing tables, diaper stations and a nursing area.
Will there be aid stations?
One aid station will be available along the 3K course to provide water and aid (aid available for all distances).
All distances will provide runners with water and various fueling options (e.g. sports drink, fruit, bagels, etc.) at the finish of the race. All races will also be equipped with medical assistance should any runner need to use these services.
Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@kidsrunthiscity.com or message us on Facebook
Cradles To Crayons
Kids Run This City
partners with
Cradles To Crayons
Kids Run This City is partnering with Cradles to Crayons to collect new and like-new youth athletic shoes for children living in low-income situations. Please bring donations to the box located in the family entertainment area following the race. To learn more about Cradles to Crayons, visit: https://www.cradlestocrayons.org
Event schedule
- Sat, May 11, 2019 9:00 AM - Packet Pick-Up & Registration Opens
- Sat, May 11, 2019 10:00 AM - Team Velcro Warm-Ups with enerGEEwhizz
- Sat, May 11, 2019 10:20 AM - Team Velcro Lines Up for Race
- Sat, May 11, 2019 10:25 AM - Team Laces & Team Trainers Warm-Ups with enerGEEwhizz
- Sat, May 11, 2019 10:30 AM - Team Velcro 1K Kick-Off
- Sat, May 11, 2019 10:45 AM - Team Laces & Team Trainers Line Up for Races
- Sat, May 11, 2019 10:50 AM - Team Laces 2K & Team Trainers 3K Kick-Off
- Sat, May 11, 2019 11:00 AM - Post-Race Party Begins
- Sat, May 11, 2019 11:30 AM - Raffle Drawings
Contact information
- Event contact
- Mallory Simms
- Phone
- +1 312-391-3772
- Website
- Visit website