Kids Run This City
Challenging kids to push farther, inspiring them to go further
Come join in the fun for Kids Run This City's fall race taking place on October 6, 2019 at 10:30am in Chicago's iconic Lincoln Park!
***The previous event sold out, secure your spot now!***
Featuring a 1K, 2K & 3K for kids 12 and under, all runners will receive a race t-shirt & finisher's medal unique for the fall race and an exclusive DICK's Sporting Goods goodie bag!
Stick around after the race for a family friendly post-party including bounce houses, an obstacle course, food & beverages, music, games hosted by our generous sponsors, finisher podium photos & more!
As a bonus, every participant will automatically be entered in our race day raffle for a chance to win one of several YETI products provided by DICK's Sporting Goods, along with other fun gift certificates and merchandise!
Join your classmates, your neighbors and the friends you haven’t met yet and come out to race in Kids Run This City's fall event. We can’t wait to see you at the starting line!
Did you run the inaugural race this past May? Great news!
Check your email for an exclusive promo code.
PLUS, all runners that participated in Kids Run This City's May 2019 race are eligible to receive a Kids Run This City award when they clock a faster time in October!
We know you can work towards this goal over summer and dig deep on race day!
Registration fees
Team Trainers Closed
Ages 9 to 12
-
$36.00Jun 28 - Oct 5
Team Laces Closed
Ages 5 to 8
-
$36.00Jun 28 - Oct 5
Team Velcro Closed
Age 4 & under
-
$36.00Jun 28 - Oct 5
The Goods
All runners receive a race t-shirt & finisher medal unique for the fall event, PLUS an exclusive Dick's Sporting Goods 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 Series & Personal Best Awards
Kids Run This City races are all individual events and we welcome first time runners, anytime of the year!
As part of Kids Run This City's mission to help kids learn to set goals, test personal limits, push through barriers & benchmark personal success, repeat participation across our annual events is highly encouraged.
And don't worry, even though both our events for 2019 are in Lincoln Park, we guarantee a unique race experience for veteran runners complete with new games, new sponsors, new swag and more!
If you were lucky enough to secure a spot in our sold out May, 2019 event and plan to run in the October race as well you are eligible to receive a Kids Run This City Personal Best Award on race day - all you need to do is clock a faster time* than your past performance! Check out your previous race time here!
Awards will be officially announced and handed out within 30 minutes after the final runner crosses the finish line. Make sure you check out our training ideas at kidsrunthiscity.com to make sure you give it your all!
*Past performances were professionally timed and recored by RaceTime, Inc. and available on their website. Any runner that completed the May, 2019 race and is running a different distance due to aging out of their distance will automatically receive a Personal Best Award on race day.
*First time runners in October, 2019 will have an opportunity to receive a Personal Best Award by participating in the Spring 2020 event.
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 (if not sold out, please check the registration site and social media prior to arriving to register) will open at 9:15 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. Race day schedule is permitted to change; please check back prior to race day.
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.
Awards for the Best Sign!
We just can't get enough of our runners' cheer squad (I'm talking about you Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Sisters, Brothers, Friends, etc!) and we know our runners can't either. We saw a lot of signs being held out there last race day cheering on the runners and this race we want to see more!
If you've never seen a running sign before, think a standard posterboard decorated with an encouraging saying ("you've got this!"), possibly your runners name and any other creative decorations you can think of!
There will be awards in each of the following categories, judged by a select panel of volunteers:
- Most Creative
- Most Encouraging
- Funniest
- Most Colorful
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
- 9:15am: Packet Pick-Up and Same Day Registration Opens
- 10:15am: Team Velcro (4 & under) Warm-Up Games
- 10:25am: Team Velcro Line Up for Race
- 10:35am: Team Laces (5-8) and Team Trainers (9-12) Warm-Ups
- 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
- 11:15am: Raffle Drawings & Best Sign Awards
- 11:30am: Personal Best Awards
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). There is no need for adults to register themselves, adult participation is included with each child's entry.
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.
Where can I get race results?
We professionally 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 receive an emailed personalized Finisher's Certificate. Prior results can be found here.
Will there be race photos?
Most races will include a professional photographer that will be capturing the fun along the race route. Please check back prior to race day to see if a photographer will be available. If available for your race, a link to the photos will be available on the website under the event after the race is finalized. Photos may also 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 food and beverages, 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
- Sun, October 6, 2019 9:15 AM - Packet Pick-Up & Registration Opens
- Sun, October 6, 2019 10:15 AM - Team Velcro Warm-Ups
- Sun, October 6, 2019 10:25 AM - Team Velcro Lines Up for Race
- Sun, October 6, 2019 10:30 AM - Team Velcro 1K Kick-Off
- Sun, October 6, 2019 10:35 AM - Team Laces & Team Trainers Warm-Ups
- Sun, October 6, 2019 10:45 AM - Team Laces & Team Trainers Line Up for Races
- Sun, October 6, 2019 10:50 AM - Team Laces 2K & Team Trainers 3K Kick-Off
- Sun, October 6, 2019 11:00 AM - Post-Race Party Begins
- Sun, October 6, 2019 11:15 AM - Raffle Drawings & Sign Awards
- Sun, October 6, 2019 11:30 AM - Personal Best Awards
Contact information
- Event contact
- Mallory Simms
- Phone
- +1 312-391-3772
- Website
- Visit website