Pioneer Spirit Triathlon - Sprint, Mini, & Challenge | 5k Run

Abe's Army is a 12 week program to get runners and walkers of all abilities to their best finish at Abe's Amble 5k/10k in August. You must be a SRRC member to join, the option to join the club is included in this registration. The program starts May 25, 2026 and runs through race day. Register early to be guaranteed a shirt!

Children under the age of 16 are welcome to join; however, they MUST be under the direct supervision of a parent/guardian and will be assigned to the same group.

Abe's Army Registration Fee includes:

• Supportive leaders, training advice and new running friends!

• Abe's Army performance tech shirt

• Training plan and printable log sheet

• Race entry for Abe's Amble 5k/10k

• Finisher's medal for Abe's Amble AND Abe's Army

• Access to professional medical advice related to running

• Water stops for Monday training runs

• Access to Abe's Army online training Facebook group

• End-of-season catered picnic in the park

• 10% Discount at Springfield Running Center during the program

Celebrate 100 Years of America’s Most Iconic Highway at the Centennial Route 66 5K

Step onto history and lace up for a truly one-of-a-kind race experience at the Centennial Route 66 5K, taking place June 6, 2026, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. This special event honors the 100th anniversary of Historic Route 66, blending running, nostalgia, and classic Americana into one unforgettable morning.

The race kicks off promptly at 8:00 AM from the Gate 2 Route 66 Experience exhibit, surrounded by vintage signage, roadside history, and the unmistakable spirit of the Mother Road. From there, runners head out on a scenic loop through the fairgrounds, soaking in the historic charm and energy of one of Illinois’ most iconic venues.

The Signature Moment

The highlight of the course is a full one-mile stretch on the legendary Illinois State Fair Grandstand Track—the same oval that has hosted generations of racing legends, concerts, and State Fair memories. It’s racing on a racetrack—literally. As a bonus, your official 1-mile split time will be captured, giving runners a fun benchmark inside the race.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best, running for the joy of it, or simply celebrating a century of Route 66, every participant becomes part of this historic milestone.

Awards & Recognition

All finishers will receive a custom-designed finisher medal created specifically for the Centennial Route 66 5K. Awards will be presented to top overall finishers and age-group winners in 5-year brackets, ensuring competitive excitement for runners of all ages and abilities.

Run the road that defined a nation. Race the track known as the Magic Mile.

Register today and be part of history—where Route 66 meets the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Registration closes what capacity is reached, or at 5PM the day before the race. To participate in the event, you must complete your registration by this time.

Y NINJA is a fun Obstacle Course Run for kids. All fees are per person. There will be a variety of inflatable and constructed obstacles across the grounds of Kerasotes YMCA. Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. 1st - 2nd -3rd place finishers receive a prize and award ceremony after the run.

There will be wet obstacles near the end of the course so dress appropriately. All runners can rerun the cross several times after the timed runs until 1 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not be able to wear any type of shoes in the inflatable obstacles so plan ahead to wear easily removable shoes, or run barefoot, or in socks. The course will be on grass. All fees are per person. Proceeds benefit YMCA STRONG KIDS FUND to provide a Y Experience for underserved, at risk youth , and those with diverse abilities in our community.

Timeline

NOTE: Pro Wave is for Kids who run fast times or have placed high in previous Y Ninja

10:00 - Ages 11-15 Pro (Awards: Top 3M and Top 3F)

10:05 - Ages 11-15 Recreational (Awards: Top 3M and Top 3F)

10:15 - Ages 8-10 Pro (Awards: Top 3M and Top 3F)

10:20 - Ages 8-10 Recreational (Awards: Top 3M and Top 3F)

10:30 - Ages 5-7 Pro (Awards: Top 3M and Top 3F)

10:35 - Ages 5-7 Recreational (Awards: Top 3M and Top 3F)

10:45 - Ages 11-15 + Adult (Award: Top 3 Overall)

11:00 - Ages 8-10 + Adult (Award: Top 3 Overall)

11:15 - Ages 5-7 + Adult (Award: Top 3 Overall)

11:30 - Open Course. Complete the course as much as you'd like before 12:30. Registration required. No time, no bib, no shirt, no medal.

A fun run/walk for all ages and abilities!

The race will support the NICU - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to continue funding a variety of items/programs to support our tiniest patients at HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital.

Please come join us for this great fundraising event!

Click here if you are interested in donating. You will also have an opportunity to donate when you sign up for the event.

ALERT: T-shirt cut off is Monday, June 1st. No guarantee of a shirt after that date.

Race Time:

Your overall finish time (chip start & finish) will be recorded and text messaged to your cell phone immediately after you finish. Results for everyone will be uploaded to RunSignUp.com after the race as well.

Awards:

• Finisher medal for all participants.

• Award Medals for Overall 1st, 2nd & 3rd place finishers for male and female in the 3K & 5K.

• Medallions to pin on your finisher medal will go to the top 3 male and female finishers in each age bracket.

• Brackets: 9 & under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 and above.

• Awards to the top fundraising team and top fundraising individual.

BE A FUNDRAISING CHAMPION

Create your own personal fundraising page here! Fundraise as an individual or as a team! You'll be given the option when you sign up for the race to become a fundraising champion or join an existing fundraising team.

Join the fun and be a champion fundraiser! Click here: CHAMPION FUNDRAISER

• Awards to the top fundraising team and top fundraising individual.

PRE-EVENT PACKET PICK-UP

Friday, June 19th, 10 am until 6 pm

Packet Pickup with be on the 1st floor at the Hollis Building, 3051 Hollis Drive, Springfield.

Be ready to go before you arrive at the run!

RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP

Race day pick up starts at 7:30am - Best to pickup at the HOLLIS Bldg. on 6/19 if you can.

VOLUNTEERS

• Packet pick-up -

SIGN UP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EAEAB2FA6F5CE9-55661784-packet

• Race Day -

SIGN UP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EAEAB2FA6F5CE9-55942153-lm5k

Thank you sponsors!

• CEFCU, CAPITOL MEDIA GROUP, REDEFINE HC, SCHEELS, SPRINGFIELD PEPSI-COLA

Celebrate 250 Years of American Independence at the 2026 Freedom Run! 🇺🇸

Fastscore Race Timing and Productions is proud to present the 2026 Fourth of July Freedom Run at Centennial Park — a truly historic edition as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the formation of the United States of America.

On July 4, 2026, runners and walkers will gather at sunrise to honor a nation founded on freedom, perseverance, and bold vision. There’s no better way to celebrate America’s birthday than moving forward together — one stride at a time.

🏅 All-American Trail Trek Series

The Freedom Run is the 2nd trail trek in the All-American Trail Trek Series, a three-race journey celebrating iconic local trails and patriotic dates:

Abe Lincoln Trail Trek – April 4

Freedom Run – July 4

Washington Park Trail Trek – September 5

Register for all three races and earn:

☕ A commemorative All-American Trail Trek coffee mug. Click Here To See Logo

⌚ Automatic entry into a drawing for a Garmin Forerunner watch

Race Day Experience

The race begins at the top of Centennial Park Hill, sending participants downhill into a scenic and spirited finish that mirrors the momentum of a nation built on progress.

• 5K – Extended through the wildlife sanctuary

• 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk – A shortened, accessible route for all ages

• 10K – Featuring the Sangamon Valley Trail for those ready to go the distance

All races are chip-timed with a 7:30 AM start, beginning at the top of the hill and finishing at the bottom.

Packet Pickup

Race-day packet pickup begins at 6:15 AM near the finish line at the Sangamon Valley Trail & Bunker Hill Road trailhead.

Post-Race Celebration

Cross the finish line on the south side of the hill and celebrate America’s 250th birthday with breakfast food, drinks, and patriotic spirit as the community comes together for this milestone moment.

The Fun Run/Walk follows the same general route but does not enter the wildlife sanctuary.

Swag & Awards

Every participant receives a Freedom Run commemorative finisher t-shirt and medal, honoring this once-in-a-generation anniversary.

Awards will be presented to:

• Top overall male and female finishers

• Top finishers in each 10-year age bracket (from 10 & under through 80+)

This isn’t just another Fourth of July race — it’s a celebration of 250 years of freedom, community, and the enduring American spirit.

Run with purpose. Run with history. Run for freedom.