Palos Park Spooky Shuffle 2025

Pre-Race Day Packet Pick Up

Packet Pick-Up will be held at the Palos Park Recreation Center (8901 W. 123rd Street, Palos Park, IL) on Friday, October 17th from Noon-7pm and Race Day starting at 8am.

A friend or family member can pick up your packet. This must be communicated to race staff prior to packet pick up so we can verify ID.

Parking

Race day parking will be at Swallow Cliff South off LaGrange Road (please do not go to Swallow Cliff North off 83 where the stairs are). Once the Swallow Cliff South lots are full, we will redirect cars to Forty Acre Woods on 119th east of LaGrange. You will have the option of walking the quarter mile to the start or taking the shuttle.

Day of registration and packet pick-up is allowed and will start at 8:00am

10K Run Starts

9 AM

5K Run/Walk Starts

9:10 AM

You must be registered by 10/1/2025 to be guaranteed your race shirt/size and finisher medal.

5K & 10K Awards

Top Overall Male/Female

1st, 2nd and 3rd in the following age groups (co-ed age group awards):

18 & under

19 - 29

30 - 39

40 - 49

50 - 59

60+

**NEW THIS YEAR - Due to feedback from last year we are continuing to try and dial in the best age groups for this event based on registration. Also, if there are more than 20 people in an age group for an event by 10/1 when we order awards, we will do a Male and Female award for that age group.

Cut Off Times

Although this event is a run/walk, there will be general cut off times to ensure the event stays on schedule with permits and staffing/volunteers/police assistance. 5k run/walkers will begin at 9:10am and have until 10:10am to finish (20 minute pace). 10k run/walkers will begin at 9am and have until 11:35am to finish (25 minute pace).

A "sweeper" will walk each race course beginning 15 minutes after each event has started to ensure we don't have any lost runners.

Inclement Weather
This race will happen rain or shine! The Village of Palos Park monitors the weather and follows the proper protocol in place regarding inclement weather. Staff holds the right to cancel the event due to inclement weather. Registration is non-refundable.

The Palos Park Spooky Shuffle highlights the sprawling woodlands of the majestic Sag Valley Trail System, part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Starting at Swallow Cliff South Forest Preserves (the sister preserve to the famous Swallow Cliff Stairs located at Swallow Cliff North), both courses take you on wide, unpaved, mostly gravel trails through the unique topography of the Palos Region with its ravines and hills resulting in elevation not common in the Chicagoland area. Based on trail conditions, courses may change slightly.

5K Course Map: The 5k course is an out-and-back with a loop at the turnaround (Horsetail Lake). The course starts on the Brown Trail heading east towards the parking lot. You'll then head south on the Yellow Trail making your way to Horsetail Lake. Once at the lake, you'll run along the southern shore before running along Willow Spring Road to McCarthy Road and follow the Black Trail back. Confused, see an animated version of the course HERE.

10K Course Map: Similar to the 5k route, this course starts on the Brown Trail, through the parking lot, and onto the Yellow Trail to Horsetail Lake. Instead of going around the Horsetail Lake parking lot, you will turn around and follow the course back. Once on the Yellow Trail, you will take it under LaGrange Road and vere left to 40 Acer Woods. Once there, there will be a road crossing at 119th and you will complete the NE loop in a counter-clockwise direction returning to 40 Acer Woods and continuing to the finish. Confused, see an animated version of the route HERE. **Please note that this course has steep inclines and declines and may have loose gravel on the trail. Those prone to falls or are unsure of their balance on steep inclines and declines should opt for the 5k course.