Dubuque, Iowa · Saturday, September 12, 2026
The Benefit Classic Half Marathon and 5K is a 5k, half marathon, and running event held on Saturday, September 12, 2026. It is located in Dubuque, Iowa.
Join us in beautiful, historic Galena IL for The Galena 5K Stair Challenge! Now hosted by The Galena Area EMS District, The Galena Police Department and The Galena Fire Department
This event honors the heroes of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this tragic event and celebrates our local first responders past and present
Bring the family! The Galena Generals, Jo Daviess County Mounted Patrol, Area First Responder demonstrations, food and treat vendors will join us at Green Street Plaza during and after the event.
Non competitive run/walk/climb-1Lap
Competitive 7 Lap professionally timed with various divisions by age and gender.
Registration for this event is online only!
1-Lap Fun Run/Walk
Start time 9:00 a.m.
Fee: NEW! April Early Bird $30, May $35, June and July $40, August to event $40 (t-shirt and medal included!)
Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 am
Mass start; not timed
5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge Race and Active Duty First Responders
Start time 9:15 a.m.
Fee: NEW! April Early Bird $30 for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners (includes T-shirt and medal!)
May $35, for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners
June to Event $45 for 7-Lap Runners
Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 am
Maximum of 200 athletes accepted
Chip timing
Waves will be formed (first five registered, first wave; next five registered, second wave, etc.). Waves will start every minute. Participants will be notified of their wave start time via email prior to the race date.
Course closes at 12:00 noon
Fundraiser Challenge
All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 in donations to support Galena-based first responders.
Share your unique URL to family and friends and invite them to donate to your registration or team.
The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!
Event T-shirt Sizes (performance fabric)
Youth: small, medium, large
Adult: small, medium, large, extra-large, 1X, 2X
Age Groups (Male and Female)
14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
Race Registration will be online only beginning March 20, 2026
Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants)
Registrations will CLOSE when race filled or at midnight on September 11, whichever comes first
Registrations after August 31, 2026 will NOT be guaranteed a T-shirt
Event Staging Areas:
Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House
Packet pickup:
NEW! Friday, September 11, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at the Galena Area Emergency Medical Services District Station, 217 Summit Street, Galena, Illinois.
Saturday morning Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 8:00 am to 9:00 a.m.
8:15 a.m. Saturday: Opening Ceremony
Closing and Medal Ceremony following race at Green Street Square
Award Ceremony at race conclusion
Starting Line at Bench Street staging area
Volunteers will queue waves here in numerical order after escorting them from Green Street Plaza
Lap Notification/Finish Line on Bench Street
Bib numbers will trigger a visual record of each participant’s lap number.
Lap 7 finishers recovery area with water
The Fillmore 5K is a 3.1 mile race at Fillmore Golf Course. The course will be the Saturday following the High School Cross Country meet and held on the same course.
This is a unique and challenging course, for locals some may have ran this course during high school cross country. Fall in Dubuque County is a great time for running and enjoying the outdoors.
This is a fundraiser for Dubuque County Conservation with all entry fees going as a donation to Dubuque County Conservation towards conservation and trail stewardship. The event will also be hosted by volunteers and friends of Dubuque County Conservation.
Race will be chip timed by Kauder Racing.
There will be 1 Water Station at approx. Mile 1.5 (Halfway point)
Finish Line will provide Water, Bananas, and Chocolate Milk
Special Awards for Top 3 Male and Female Overall.
Awards for Top Male and Female of each Age Division.
Runners will receive a super soft Tri-Blend T-shirt.
Parking along Fairway Rd. will be closest to the Start / Finish Line. The starting line on the map is signified by the triangle, and the finish line will be just South of that signified by the dot on the map. These are both near the tee box for the 3rd hole on the golf course.
The 2025 Monster Dash is hosted by the Platteville Community Arboretum! This is a family-friendly event that includes runners and walkers of all abilities. A fun time for all!
It's late October and costumes are encouraged to be worn. Halloween-themed prizes, shirts and swag for all participants!
The entire run/walk will be on the Rountree Branch Trail!
The race will begin at 10 AM on the south side of Valley Road (near the Fish Garden on the trail) with parking available in the City Garage’s parking lot (890 Valley Road). For registration the day of, look for the registration tent starting at 9 AM.
T-Shirt Note: All registrations received by October 5th are guaranteed a T-shirt.
NOTE: Online registration ENDS at 11:59 PM on Thursday, October 16th. After that, you can register in-person (by cash or VENMO) for $30 the day of the event starting at 9 AM on Saturday, October 18th.
Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8k
Saturday, October 31, 2026
Join us Saturday, October 31st for our 9th annual Galena River Fall Half Marathon & 8K!
This is a fast, flat half marathon along the scenic Galena River Trail. An 8K race option is also offered.
ALL FINISHERS RECEIVE MEDALS & SHIRT IF REGISTERED BY SEPTEMBER 28th!
**Due to Galena Halloween festivities on that day, the course will close at 11:00 AM. Because of this no walkers are allowed for the half marathon and runners must finish before the course closes.
🔷 Packet Pickup will be Friday, Oct 30th from 4:00 pm -7:00 pm and Saturday morning 7:00 am -7:45 am below the Highway 20 bridge in the Train Depot parking area where the race is also held. Friends are allowed to pick up for another participant.
🔷 Gear Check is available at the packet pickup table. Please have your gear bag labeled.
🔷 Hydration/fuel stations with water, electrolyte beverage and GU will be at miles 2, 3.5, 9, 11, 12.
Age groups are as follows:
19 and under
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85-89
90 and up
🔹Course Route: this is an out and back course, utilizing first the south end of the trail and turning around at the 5.50 mile marker and return to the start, which would be the equivalent of 11 miles, runners will then proceed around the start and head north on the trail for a short out and back for the remaining mileage, back to finish line for your 13.10 miles!🎉
For the 8k distance, the course is also an out and back, and will begin the same as the half, with the turnaround marked at 2.50 miles and race back to the finish line!🎉