Onarga ALA Poppy 5K

There will not be paper registration on race day. Please complete your registration online prior to arriving on site.

All proceeds will benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital!

The race will Start and Finish at the Fairbury Fairgrounds. Race starts promptly at 8AM

Same day registration begins at 6:45am and ends promptly at 7:30.

Free t-shirt for all who are registered on or before July 30th.

Award Presentation Immediately following the Kid’s Fun Run

Award categories: Overall Male, Overall Female, Men’s and Women’s Divisions: 0-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 and over.

The Sweetcorn 5K Classic is a memorial race in honor of Bill Orr, the original creater and director. The Sweetcorn race began in 1978 as a 10K race and was shortened to 5K in 1982.

This years course will start in the heart of downtown Hoopeston at Main and Market. You will run through the mostly shaded neighborhoods of our modest town. Along the way, you will be encouraged and cheered on by locals. Some who have watched this race as spectators for more than a decade!

The conclusion of the Sweetcorn 5K Classic begins a bustling and eventful Saturday, including the Sweetcorn Parade at 10am, the Sweetcorn Festival and an abundance of events and entertainment throughout the day.

Come to Hoopeston, run or walk the 5K (or 1 mile) and enjoy our annual Sweetcorn Festival!

Event details and schedule

82nd National Sweetcorn Festival Presents:

2026 Sweetcorn 5K Classic

and 1 Mile Run/Walk

COURSE & FINISH LINE:

• Accurate, residential, heavily shaded

• Split times

• 2 Aid stations

• Medical support

• Finish line digital clock

• Computerized results

• Food and refreshments

5K AWARDS:

Overall male and female winners of 5K receive a Race Champion Title belt. Age division awards consist of plaques 3 deep in each division.

1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Awards:

First place winner will receive a Race Champion Title belt. The next 9 finishers receive custom medallions. Non-enscribed medals for all other participants.

Little Corn Eaters Run For Fun

A short distance run for children 6 years and younger!

RACE DAY REGISTRATION AND CHECK-IN:

6:30 A.M. to 7:30 A.M. at the Downtown City Lot, 209 S. Market St. Hoopeston, IL

• 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk begins at 7:30 A.M.

• 5K Race begins at 8 A.M.

• Little Corn Eaters Run for Fun begins at the conclusion of the 5K Race, approximately at 8:45 A.M.

• Presentation of awards, approximately at 9 A.M.

Event Information

Event Description: You may compete in either a 8-hour or 4-hour race on a 1.65 mile loop course at Limestone Park. The course, mostly crushed limestone and partly asphalt, is about half flat and half hilly with one short-but-steep downhill and one short-but-steep uphill plus a couple of other small hills, with a maximum elevation change of 50 feet. NEW THIS YEAR - During the last half hour, you may switch to a 1/4 mile out and back loop (1/8 mile each way) if you don’t have time to do a full course loop.

How it works: At the end of each loop you will check in with the scorekeeper. Then, take a break between loops or go right back out again; the choice is yours. Do as many loops as you can in the allotted time for your race. The scoring will be based on total loops completed. In the event of ties, the person who finished his or her last loop earliest will be the winner. Partial loops will not count. Use your own judgement about when to start a final loop. NEW THIS YEAR - During the last half hour, you may switch to a 1/4 mile out and back loop (1/8 mile each way) if you don’t have time to do a full course loop.

Aid Station: There will be a well-stocked aid station at the start/finish of the loop, It will be mostly limited to items that are individually wrapped. Restrooms will also be available there. There is an area where runners can set up their own base camps. If you have any special needs/wants for refreshments, you should plan on bringing your own.

Awards: Overall awards and age group awards will be based on participation. Finisher awards to all participants (personalized with your name for pre-registered participants.)

Net proceeds of this event will be donated to: Kankakee Veterans Assistance Commission and Limestone Park.

Schedule 8-Hour 4-Hour

Registration & Packet Pickup 7:30am-8:50am 9:00am-12:50pm

Pre-race briefing 8:55am 12:55pm

Race starts 9:00am 1:00pm

Race ends 5:00pm 5:00pm

Awards ceremony 5:15pm 5:15pm

Fees 8-Hour 4-Hour

Through Sep 13 $45 $40

Sep 14 - Sep 19 $50 $45

Race Day - Sep 20 $55 $50

T-shirts (Dri-Fit or Cotton) are available for order through noon on September 7th for an additional $10.