Defeat the Stigma 5k

What is it?

The GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge is a 5k fun run, 1-mile walk, or other fitness format — that brings people together to raise awareness, acknowledge, and support the challenges in the Down syndrome community.

Taking place at all our Playhouse locations across the country, the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge is GiGi’s Playhouse largest peer-to-peer fundraiser and a fun and inclusive fitness event that the entire community can attend!

When is it?

From March 15th – June 29th, 55+ GiGi’s Playhouse locations will host their own GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge events in their communities.

Don’t have a Playhouse near you? No problem! Our Virtual Playhouse hosts its own Virtual GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge from May 1st to May 30th!

Why should I participate?

The money we raise from our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge events directly funds the 340,000 hours of FREE educational, therapeutic, and career development programming GiGi’s Playhouse provides to our participants and families a year.

Beyond this, our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge events give entire communities the opportunity to come together with the Down syndrome community to embrace differences, foster inclusivity, and create a more ACCEPTING world!

Register here!!

Lace Up for Parks, Trails and Open Space at the 1st annual 5K run & Walk. Adventurously enjoy a a 5K run through the trails at Heritage Park in Homer Glen.

The event will be a fun filled, family friendly race for competitive runners, recreational athletes and kids. The course will be run on the trails at Heritage Park in Homer Glen.

The course is being developed. It will be run on the trails at the park and be 5K (3.1 Miles) with multiple laps. Part of the course may be run on grass too.

We also offer a simple kids race (< 10 years old). Each kid running will get swag too!

Our goal is to promote local parks, trails and open space. Proceeds will benefit the Homer Glen Community in Harmony and Nature a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

Join us on June 20th at 9am for a Run & Walk benefitting the homeless pets of NAWS Humane Society.

The event will take place at Hickory Creek Preserve – Laporte Access Road, offering a beautiful natural setting as you run (or walk!) to help save lives.

This race will be timed by Its Race Time where you will receive realtime updates on your timing.

There will be post race food and refreshments available as well as an awards ceremony!

Whether you're a competitive runner, a casual walker, or simply an animal lover who wants to make a difference, this event is for you. Every registration directly supports the medical care, food, shelter, and lifesaving programs that give NAWS pets a second chance.

We kindly ask that you leave your furry friends at home for this event due to permitting issues!

Veterans Liberty Run & Walk

Sprint, jog or walk the 1 or 2 mile course through beautiful Centennial Park. All participants receive a dri-fit race shirt, a USA hand flag, a pass for *one free admission to the Centennial Park Aquatic Center, post-race refreshments and entry into a prize raffle. Awards to the top overall male and female finisher and the top three male and female finishers in each age group, (9U, 10-14, 15-19, ...., 60-64, 65-69, 70+). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to local veterans organizations. Race packet pick-up: June 28 – July 3 at Human Race (15148 S. LaGrange Rd). Onsite registration and packet pick-up for those not yet picked up begins at 5:30P on July 3 at the race site.

*Good for one free admission on one day only: July 5, 6, 7, or 8, 2026.

Kid’s Run for Fun – 50 Yard Dash

Cheer on our youngest participants in the 50 yard, everyone wins, dash! Pre-registration is not required for this free event. The dash will begin at approximately 7:30P. Medals to all participants. All ages welcome.

Join us for the Apocalyptic Event not to be missed!

Dress in your best Halloween attire. Do A TEST- DRIVE of your Halloween costume and get awarded zombie-rific prizes! First 200 pre-registered get limited edition Event GIFT so don't delay! All participants receive a medal!!!

What to expect!?

Participants will endure a run through haunted and zombie-infested HAUNTED OAK course, that takes place in Old Oak Country Club,14200 S Parker Rd, Homer Glen, IL 60491. Those who wish to interact with the zombies will get to test your speed, endurance, and strength while trying to avoid the zombies! Costumes are highly encouraged so the zombies think that you are one of them!

Post-Race

After the run ( if you’re still alive) we’ll have beer, soda, water and …Bloody Maries at the cash bar for your further enjoyment!

Awards

Join us after the 5k for Zombie Costume Awards Ceremony!! Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers. There also will be prizes & awards for Best Couple, Creepy super hero, Best Little Terror and drop Dead Beauty costumes!

Proceeds from the event go to fund three areas of Chicago Lithuanians Rotary Club giving:

• The Rotary Foundation’s international peace, education, health, and community development programs, in particular, Rotary International's worldwide effort to eliminate polio through our Polio Plus.

• Projects carried out by local schools and charitable organizations: such as backpack and school supply distribution, aide to women and children in shelters, and creating safe play areas for kids.

• Together with Chicago Lithuanians Running Club promote health awareness and a fitness lifestyle for children and adults in our communities.

Packet Pick-Up & Registration

Packet pick-up & Race day Registration will be available at Old Oak Country Club between 2:00 - 3:15 PM

Race start

Kids Fun Run starts at 3:40 pm , main race at 4pm

Results

Haunted Oak 5k is an officially timed event!

2017 Video

For a video of the 2017 race visit: https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofChicagolandLithuanians/videos/10155715449259178