Hug An Athlete 5k

RACE FEE

10/1/25 – 11/27/25 – Early Registration Rate: $25.00
11/28/25 – 2/2/26 – Shirt & Swag Bag Guarantee: $30.00
2/3/26 – 2/19/26 – Pre-Race Day Rate: $35.00
2/20/26 – 2/22/26 – Race Day Registration $40.00

Children 5 & Under are free – no registration required and will not receive a swag bag.

PACKET PICK-UP INFORMATION

Friday, February 19th – 4:00-7:00 pm – Location coming soon!

Sunday, February 22rd – 11:00 am- 12:00 pm
Doty Park (RACE SITE) – 365 W Locust St, Belvidere, IL

AWARDS

Overall male & female race finishers will receive a trophy and are excluded from age group awards.

Male & female top 3 finishers for each age group
(14 and Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80 and Above) will receive medals.

Special race awards (oldest, youngest, turtle, most spirit) will receive certificates & prizes.

If you are not present for awards – they will be available for pick up at the Special Recreation Facility (6581 Revlon Dr, Belvidere) beginning on Wednesday, 2/26.

RACE DAY REGISTRATION

Race day registration will be available from 11:00am-12:30pm for a fee of $40.00. Race day registrants will receive a swag bag on a first come, first serve basis. It is recommended for all to register prior to February 4th, to guarantee a t-shirt & complete swag bag.

TENTATIVE COURSE

The race will be limited to the Belvidere Park District Kishwaukee Riverfront paths. The race will start on the bike path near the Doty Park Pavilion and continue across the river into the Belvidere Park. Map shown above is an approximate course view of the 5K. All paths are ADA accessible and will be cleared & salted if weather permits. Course may be altered due to unforeseen circumstances.

ON THE COURSE

There will be a water station at approximately 1.2 miles, located at the previous site of the William Grady Pool entrance. The course will be marked for miles 1 and 2.

PARKING/DIRECTIONS

Doty Park – 365 W Locust St, Belvidere, IL 61008

https://maps.app.goo.gl/A4Qbvx8rhShNKr7a6

Limited parking available: Doty Park, at the boat launch off Burgess Street, throughout Belvidere Park, and along Locust Avenue. Parking may be available in local business lots.

Please abide by volunteers and street laws when parking.

Click Here for Parking Map

POST-RACE

After completing the race, you will have the opportunity to meet some of the Special Recreation’s Pirates athletes! They will be giving out post-race hugs, high-fives, or fist bumps.

All finishers will have the opportunity to enjoy snacks and hot cocoa.