Valentine's Day Spirits Run 5k

Join us for a scenic race through beautiful trails offering lakeside views and opportunities to spot local wildlife. This fun, family-friendly event welcomes runners and walkers of all levels to enjoy nature while staying active. Proceeds from the race directly support Lake Katherine’s conservation efforts, environmental education programs, and habitat restoration projects, ensuring the preservation of Lake Katherine for future generations.

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In the 1980's the Park Forest Running and Pancake Club held their annual progressive marathon by adding up four separate "races" with the Park Forest Scenic 10 to have a Marathon time.

In keeping with that tradition, we will be hosting a series of "races" at the Vollmer Trails, then adding those times to your finish time at the Flossmoor Hidden Gem Half Marathon.

Come to the Flossmoor Entrance of the Vollmer Trail and run a 3.275 mile race four times.

Dates will be published soon.

After the Hidden Gem, we will tabulate the results and award the top three finishers. If there are enough participants, we will award age group awards.

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!!

The movement continues—and it’s growing!

Join us for the 2nd Annual 1911 Initiative 5K Scholarship Run/Walk, where every mile you move helps us go the distance for college-bound students. Hosted in partnership with the Village of Matteson, this race is all about purpose, progress, and community pride.

We’re proud to share that we’ve already registered over 100 runners and walkers, with a bold goal of 1,000 participants for 2026!

Remember, we don't receive huge corporate dollars to do what we do. We are a grassroots organization and are funded by everyday people like YOU. Your support directly funds scholarships and paid internships, helping deserving young people prepare for brighter futures.

👟 Ran with us last year?

Bring a friend—or five!

If you refer 5 people who register for the race, you’ll receive a $20 refund on your own registration fee. It’s a great way to save, run with your crew, and grow the impact of this year’s event!

🔥 Don’t Wait—Register Today!

Lock in your spot, represent your team, and get ready for a day of purpose, celebration, and connection. Whether you walk, jog, or sprint across that finish line—you’re part of something bigger.

👉 Learn more at www.1911initiative.org