George W. Buck Boys & Girls Club of Joliet 5K Run/Walk

Join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, for a one‑of‑a‑kind 5K loop around the historic Joliet Prison. We’ll start and finish at Crybabies Tap in Joliet, then head out for a scenic, flat route that circles the iconic limestone walls of the old Joliet Correctional Center. This run is part of the Spirits Run – Illinois Adventure Series, our quest to complete a themed 5K in all 102 counties of Illinois.

This event is fun, relaxed, and open to all paces. Walkers, runners, strollers, and first‑timers are welcome. Every participant receives a medal, shirt, and swag, plus a drink ticket to enjoy back at Crybabies after the run.

The Joliet Prison loop is a perfect 5K with great visibility, wide streets, and unforgettable views of one of Illinois’ most famous landmarks. Come celebrate history, community, and a little bit of adventure with us.

Run first. Celebrate after. Explore Joliet.

Who We Are: Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program in the spring and fall for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age-appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Kids will earn points for each race they complete based on their finish.

Pricing: The registration fee covers the entire five (5) weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal and any sponsor giveaways. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable. Online Early Bird registration increases three weeks prior to the first race event.

Challenger: This Series offers a Challenger Division which is an adaptive 75 yard race for children with disabilities and/or special needs. This allows for parents, siblings, and friends to be on the course with runners to provide support as well as bringing their own supportive devices such as crutches, braces, wheelchairs, etc. to be used by runners.

Single Day Racing: Single day race registration opens one hour prior to the start of each race. The registration fee covers one single race to be run on the day of registration. ALL single day registrations should be completed onsite at the race location. Single day racers will have the option to upgrade to the full series (see tab on the left side of the page for instructions). There is a strict no-refund and no-transfer policy.

Awards: All participants receive a medal on Week 5! Trophies will be awarded to the overall top finishers in each of the divisions listed below (broken out by boys and girls respectively):

Pre-K 50 Yard Dash

Pre-K 75 Yard Dash

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

2nd & 3rd Grade

4th & 5th Grade

6th to 8th Grade

Challenger

Share your running photos with our community! Find us on Facebook @HealthyKidsRunning or Instagram @healthykidsrs!

#GetUpandGo

The Inaugural

5K Run/Walk

Date: Saturday, April 18th

Location: Cene's Four Seasons Park

25520 W. Seil Rd

Shorewood, IL

Kid's Fun Run (1 mile) Start Time: 8:45am

5K Start Time: 9:00am

5K Entry Fee: $40.00 includes

• Race entry

• Chip timed

• Race shirt (guaranteed if registered before 4/6/26)

• Finisher medal

• Post race party with music and refreshments

Prizes: Awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in both the men's and women's division.

Other Details:

• Walkers, strollers, families welcome!

• Online registration through start time on 4/18/26

• Advance packet pick-up on Friday 4/17, location TBA

• On-site packet pick-up on Saturday 4/18 starting at 7:00am

• On-site parking at race site

Presented by:

In Partnership with:

F3 Chaminwood

Proceeds from this event will benefit:

Experience Route 66 like never before with an expanded adventure that blends athletic challenge, rich history, and roadside Americana. The Historic Highway Hustle – Rt. 66, a one-of-a-kind series of 6.6K races set along some of Illinois’ most iconic Route 66 landmarks, invites runners to step into the past as they take on a trio of immersive events, each celebrating a legendary stop along the Mother Road. Feel the adrenaline as you weave through the imposing grounds of the Old Joliet Prison, where towering limestone walls echo with stories of another era. Let your stride fall in rhythm with the quirky, retro charm of the Gemini Giant in Wilmington—one of the highway’s most photographed icons. Then soak in the vintage ambiance of Ambler’s Texaco Gas Station in Dwight, an immaculately preserved slice of Americana that transports you to the golden age of American road travel.

Every race offers participants collectible swag, lively local entertainment, and the chance to explore three communities that proudly keep the spirit of Route 66 alive. Join fellow runners, history lovers, and adventure seekers as you journey through time, town by town. The Historic Highway Hustle isn’t just a series of races—it’s a celebration of culture, endurance, and the open road. Lace up and make your mark on history!

Lace up and run where history still echoes. The 6.6K Run at Old Joliet Prison takes you through one of Illinois’ most iconic landmarks, blending gritty prison history with the spirit of Route 66. This uniquely distanced race celebrates the legendary “double six” with an unforgettable course, bold atmosphere, and a setting unlike any other. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just soaking in the scenery, this run is all about grit, nostalgia, and crossing the finish line with a story to tell.

Be sure to follow our event on Facebook for the latest information and announcements including after party details.