Parkie’s 5K

Kicking off at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, the Firefly 3K offers a fun fitness challenge and a chance to enjoy stunning sunset views at The Morton Arboretum.

The Firefly 3K course will follow the main paved road on the Arboretum's East Side, moving through the Arboretum’s tree and plant collections, and down Frost Hill. The course is relatively flat and well-suited for runners, walkers, and wheelchair users of all experience levels.

Virtual Participation

Participants can run the Firefly 3K at the Arboretum or participate virtually by completing the course distance at another location and logging the results online.

All Firefly 3K race participants will receive branded Firefly Race Series apparel.

Pricing

Firefly Race Series

Firefly 3K: $35 member, $45 guest

Virtual Participation

Firefly 3K: $25 member, $35 guest

Run or walk to help us provide recreation scholarships to low-income families who do not have the means to participate in recreation activities. All proceeds benefit the Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation Scholarship Fund & Lisle Teens with Character Program.

Please take the time to read through the following race information.

General Race Guidelines:

• Costumes are encouraged! You don't have to dress up in a costume to conquer the Scarecrow Scramble, but it definitely makes it more fun!

• No pets allowed on course.

• Strollers are only permitted if you are walking in the 5K. You will be placed at the end of the line.

• To minimize the risk of injury, parents are responsible for watching their kids throughout event.

• Race officials maintain the right to cancel the event for safety due to severe weather conditions.

Registration Guidelines:

• ALL REGISTRATION FEES ARE FINAL AND NON-REFUNDABLE.

• Every participant must sign a waiver at registration.

• Register by 11:59pm on 9/14/2025 to be guaranteed a race shirt

• Participants must register online, no in-person or mail-in registration will be offered.

• Race day registration will be offered in-person from 5:00-6:30pm

• Race day registration will be offered online through 6:30pm

• Race bib & shirt pick up will take place Friday between 4-7pm at the Lisle Recreation Center. Race bib & shirt pick up will also be offered from 5:00-6:30pm on race day.

• Race Participants will receive 1 (one) food ticket redeemable after the race.

• Boss Dawgz of Lisle will be on site grilling up their 100% all beef hot dogs as well as their signature "Identity Crisis" vegetarian char grilled portobello mushroom. Chicago Style toppings will be provided! 1 food ticket is good for 1 dog! Additional dogs may be purchased for a fee.

• Race Participants will receive 1 (one) beverage ticket redeemable after the race. Alcohol ONLY for participants 21 years of age & older.

Tot Dash:

• The Tot Dash will start at 6:15pm in the outfield of baseball field #1

• All runners will receive a ribbon when they cross the finish line.

• All runners will receive 1 (one) food and 1 (one) beverage ticket. Boss Dawgz of Lisle will be on site grilling up their 100% all beef hot dogs as well as their signature "Identity Crisis" portobello mushroom steak dog. Chicago Style toppings will be provided! 1 food ticket is good for 1 dog! Additional dogs may be purchased for a fee.

• No shirt for Tot Dash registrants.

Youth Run:

• The Youth Run will start at 6:30pm.

• All runners will receive a ribbon when they cross the finish line.

• All runners will receive 1 (one) food and 1 (one) beverage ticket. Boss Dawgz of Lisle will be on site grilling up their 100% all beef hot dogs as well as their signature "Identity Crisis" vegetarian char grilled portobello mushroom. Chicago Style toppings will be provided! 1 food ticket is good for 1 dog! Additional dogs may be purchased for a fee.

• Any child age 11 & under that has paid for a 5K registration may also participate in the Youth Run free of charge. Only one shirt will be given.

5K Run / Walk:

• 5K will begin at 7:00pm

• All runners will receive 1 (one) food and 1 (one) beverage ticket. Ages 21 & over will receive an alcohol ticket.

• Top Male/Female Overall & Top Male/Female Masters 40+ will receive trophies. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Male/Female in each age group (9 & Under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+) will receive a medal. Winners will be announced after the race.

Following Race: Food & Drinks!

• Boss Dawgz of Lisle will be on site grilling up their 100% all beef hot dogs as well as their signature "Identity Crisis" vegetarian char grilled portobello mushroom. Chicago Style toppings will be provided! (and ketchup for the kids) Check out Boss Dawgz here!

• 1 food ticket is good for 1 dog! Additional dogs may be purchased for a fee.

• Bubblehouse Brewing Company will be providing the post race beer again this year! Isle of Lisle Mexican Lager and Get Yo Festy On Fest Beer will be on tap! https://www.bubblehousebrewing.com/ontap

• There will be post race food and drink for participants provided following the race. Food and drink tickets must be presented.

• 5K award ceremony will take place following the race at 7:45pm by the band shell

Results:

• Participants who opted in during the registration process will receive a text message with their time shortly after crossing the finish line.

• Results will be updated throughout the evening at www.ItsRaceTime.com

Race Bib & Shirt Pick Up

• Race bib & shirt pick up will take place Friday before the race. You can pick up your race bag between 4-7pm at the Lisle Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio Street, Lisle. If you are unable to make it on Friday, you can pick-up your race bag on Saturday between 5:30 & 6:30 at the band shell.

Event Benefits:

• Run or walk to help The Lisle Partners for Parks Foundation provide recreation scholarships to low-income families who do not have the means to participate in recreation activities, and the Lisle Teens with Character Program.

The Cheesy Pretzel 5k is back for 2026!

The Cheesy Pretzel 5k & 1 Mile Walk is a USATF certified 5k event [IL23028NM] that winds through The Promenade Bolingbrook and surrounding neighborhoods. All participants in the 5k and 1 mile walk will receive an order of Pretzel Bites and Cheese!

The first 550 registered participants will receive a moisture wicking long sleeve shirt & Cheesy Pretzel Finisher Medal! Shirt size preferences will be first come, first serve; corresponding to each participants race registration date. Strollers and walkers are welcome to join the event. Stroller riders are free, but will not receive a race shirt or finisher's medal. Registered runners must be at least 5 years old. Participants in the 1 Mile Walk will follow a course through The Promenade Bolingbrook property. *The walk is an untimed event.

Why is This Event Important?

The Cheesy Pretzel 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk isn’t just about crossing the finish line, it’s about making a real difference for local teens who need support, guidance, and hope. Proceeds help Heart Haven OutReach provide free mentoring, support groups, leadership programs, and safe spaces where teens can build resiliency, grow and thrive. Through our Charity of Choice program, we encourage participants to help raise funds for other local nonprofit close to their heart. Whether you run, walk, volunteer, sponsor, or donate, your involvement helps strengthen the community and empower local teens.

Volunteer Opportunities

Link TBA, Summer 2026

Sponsorship Opportunities

Link TBA, Spring 2026

The First 550 Participants to Register (5k or 1 Mile Walk) Will Receive:

-Custom Finisher Medal

-Dry-Fit Long Sleeve Shirt

5k Registration Fee:

$30 - Loyalty Discount by July 24, 2026 at 11:59pm.

$35 - Early Bird Discount by August 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm

$40 - Standard Registration by September 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm

$45 - Late Registration on October 1, 2 or 3 (*No Advance Packet Pickup)

$45 - Day of Registration on October 4

1 Mile Walk Registration Fee:

$30 - Loyalty Discount by July 24, 2026 at 11:59pm.

$35 - Early Bird Discount by August 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm

$40 - Standard Registration by September 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm

$45 - Late Registration on October 1, 2 or 3 (*No Advance Packet Pickup)

$45 - Day of Registration on October 4

Race day registration on October 4th will be available beginning at 7:00 am ($45 for 5k & 1 Mile Walk).

The Cheesy Pretzel 5k and 1 Mile Walk runs rain or shine. *No refunds available.

Event Schedule:

7:00 am - Day of Packet Pickup & Day of Registration Opens

7:30 am - Warm-up

8:00 am - 5k start time

8:05 am - 1 Mile Walk start time

9:15 am - Awards ceremony

*Post-race refreshments will be provided by Meijer.

Award Presentation:

There will be an awards presentation for the 5k event following the finish of the race. Trophies presented to the fastest overall male and female runners. First, Second & Third Place Medals will be presented to the top male and top female finishers in each age category. (10 and under, 11-14, 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+).

Advance Packet Pick Up:

Avoid race day lines, and come by to pick up your shirt, race bib, free raffle ticket, and other materials. IMPORTANT: Participants who wait to register until October 1st, 2nd or 3rd cannot participate in Advance Packet Pickup. These participants must wait to pick-up their race packets starting at 7am on Race Day (October 4th).

• Friday, October 2nd: 4:00pm - 8:00pm

• Saturday, October 3rd: 10:00am - 2:00pm

*Times have been extended by 2 hours for 2026!

Packet Pickup Address:

Star Cinema Grill

619 E Boughton Rd Suite 200

Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Shirt size preferences are first come, first serve; corresponding to each participants race registration date.

The shirt inventory is updated automatically, so if we run out of a specific size - it will not be selectable when checking out.

Once sizes are gone - they are gone!

Race and Course Information

The Forge Trail Run Festival will embrace the adventure and challenge of late-fall, mid-west trail running with 10K, 20K, 30K, and 60K events. The races will be run on single/double-track trails in The Forge and adjoining trails, within the woods and on some gravel around the historic Lemont Quarries and I&M Canal.

The courses will start and finish within the Forge. The courses wind through the single and double track trails within the woods and some gravel trails around the historic Lemont Quarries and I&M Canal throughout the Forge and adjoining trails.

The 10K will be one lap, the 20K (Half Marathon) will be two laps and the 30K will be a three lap course. Our newest offering - the 60K - will be six laps. Total mileage may not be precise, but will be close to the promoted distances. This is a trail race and we want the natural terrain and flow to guide the course and distance.

The gravel trails are flat. The single-track sections have variable terrain and surfaces ranging from dirt, grass, rocks, mud, more rocks, roots, mulch, stumps, critters, etc. A few sections are technical with several short but steep inclines and downhills. The defining character and primary challenge of the course is the variable surface. There are not any significant elevation changes. We would rate this course as moderately challenging for experienced trail runners and more difficult for runners with less experience on trail.