Run with your Heart

The Hickory Hustle 5K & 10K Run and Kids Run is back for 2026! Join us in Colfax, Indiana during Ole Hickory Days beginning with a fish fry on Friday, July 31st and continuing Saturday, August 1st, 2026. The 5K and 10K on Saturday, August 1st begins at 8:30am and includes a Kids Run beginning at 9:00am. All participants who sign up by July 12th are guaranteed a shirt.

The theme of the race this year is in memory of Joe Buedel, a long time resident of Colfax, an Elder and Youth Leader at Colfax Christian Church and a member of the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT. Joe had been diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) which is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and in July of 2025, after a long fight with ALS, Joe went home to be with his Lord and Savior. The Fire Department wants to bring awareness to ALS and support the Buedel family, specifically his wife who survives him. The Fire Department also wants to honor the life and legacy of Joe and the time and sacrifice he dedicated to the Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT.

All race proceeds and donations will benefit the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Buedel Family. Our course is mostly flat and includes a portion of the Big 4 Trail. Runners can register race day morning at the Perry Twp Vol Fire Dept located at 103 W. Main St in Colfax. The starting line is at Fire Station. The finish line is down the street at Colfax Christian Church, 314 S. Clark St.

Following the race hang around and race participants can enjoy a free breakfast at Colfax Christian Church. Breakfast donations are welcome and go to Dorcas Ladies.

New this year!!!

I have expanded the age groups. I am also going 5 deep for the 8hr run age group awards.

We are keeping the 4 hr run or walk option.

Sticking with start time of 7:00 am

Race shirts t-shirts by Headsweats ($10.00)

Return of the Swagbag

In memory of Scott Hathaway

Limited to 250 participants. There will be NO refunds, deferrals, or transfers of division. No exceptions. READ ALL RULES.

COURSE

The race will again follow the original clockwise direction. This means you will be running or walking Up Watermelon Hill. Yes, that means the return of that aid station. Start and Finish at the Laury Barn (Big Red Barn). The course is a 3.25-mile loop through the park. The course is a mix of grass, gravel, and pavement. There is a full aid station around the halfway point of the course and one on top of Watermelon Hill. Runners can and should have their own aid at the start/finish, including crew support.

Events

PACKET PICK UP

Pick up your race packet in the Laury Barn (Big Red Barn). You will receive a swag bag with your bib, and shirt if ordered, as well as some surprises we are working on.

Canopies can be set up on Friday starting at 2 pm.

• Friday 8/7/2026: 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. preferred packet pick-up time.

• Saturday, 8/8/2026, 6:00 A.M. to 6:30 A.M for 8hr participants.

• Saturday 8/8/2026, 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. for 4hr participants.

Anyone sleeping overnight at the park must check in as a camper and pay the $20 camping fee.

COURSE PREVIEW/ "BABY HOWL 5K"

Friday 8/7/2026: 6:00 P.M.

We will Start a one loop preview of the Howl course for participants and their families/crews. Everyone is welcome! Free event.

RACE

Saturday 8/8/2026: 7:00 A.M.

Howl at the Moon - 8 hr race begins. Starting line near the Red Laury Barn.

Howl at the Moon - 4 hr race begins at 11:00 AM.

You must check in with your assigned scorer (under the tent at the starting line) prior to the start of the race.

RUNNERS:

• PACERS are only allowed for the 8 hr race and only after 11 am. One pacer per loop. Pacers must sign a waiver and wear a bib. No pacers on out and backs.

• Loops are counted by personal scorers for each age division.

• You must check in with your scorer each loop.

• YOUR SCORER IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

• Runners cannot start a loop after 2:30 P.M.

• 1/4 Mile out and back course starts at 2:30 pm. run as many as you can before 3:00pm.

WALKERS:

• PACERS are only allowed for the 8 hr race and only after 11 am. One pacer per loop. Pacers must sign a waiver and wear a bib. No pacers on out and backs.

• Loops are counted by personal scorers.

• You must check in with your scorer each loop.

• YOUR SCORER IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

• Walkers cannot start a loop after 2:15 P.M.

• 1/4 Mile out and back course starts at 2:15 pm walk as many as you can before 3pm

• Walkers must walk at all times. No race-walking.

AWARDS AND AFTER PARTY

8 hr run: Top 3 runners male/female overall . Top 5 runners male/female in each age group. (0-29 ,30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over). And

4 hr run: Top 3 runners male/female overall. Top runner male/female in each age group (0-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over)

8/4 hr walk: Top 3 walkers male/female overall.

Post race food will be provided for all registered racers. We are working on getting a food truck on site at cost if you need something more to eat or if Family/Friends/Crew are hungry. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all food allergies or dietary restrictions.

Overnight Camping

Camping is available on Friday & Saturday. $20.00 fee includes both nights. Fee will be donated to the park. YOU MUST PAY THIS FEE EVEN IF YOU ARE SLEEPING IN A VEHICLE. Camping will be first come first serve and you can pay at online registration or at Friday's packet pick up (cash only). Quiet hours are 9:30pm-5:30am. Canopies can be set up Friday after 2 pm at no charge.

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.

46th Annual Wild Wild Wilderness Est. 1981

📝 Race Day Registration

Race day sign-ups are available onsite from 8:00 to 8:45

AM.

💵 Cost: $40 (5K) or $50 (7.45 Mile) — please make checks payable to KRR.

👕 Race day registration does not include a race shirt or sweatshirt.

🎽 Packet Pickup:

Packet will include your bib, shirt and pins and can be picked up on race day from 8:00 am to 8:45 am. The location for pickup is at Kickapoo State Park Maintenance Building.

📍 Location:

Kickapoo State Recreation Area Take I-74 to exit 210 and follow the signs to the park. Address is: 10906 Kickapoo Park Rd, Oakwood IL 61858.

🕐 Race Time Limit: None just have fun

⏰ Start Times:

5K: 9:15

7.45 Mile: 9:00

🏞️Course Overview:

The 7.45 mile course is 95% trail, and heads east out of the park before turning into the woods, where the adventure really begins. You will climb and descend steep hills, cross creeks and bridges, and if you are lucky, see some dee and other wildlife. This is a scenic and challenging run.

⛑⛑️ Aid Stations:

There will be one aid station approximately 2 miles into the course and another right after 4 miles. The aid stations will be supplied with liquid hydration.

Race Day Regulation Reminders:

🚫 NO BANDITS · NO RADIOS or HEADPHONES· NO STROLLERS · NO DOGS

📬 NO AWARDS OR SHIRTS MAILED

❌ NO REFUNDS OR BIB TRANSFERS

🎉 MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN DRAWING

🏕️ Camping Update

Kickapoo has two major campgrounds for tent and trailer camping with 184 sites. About half of the sites have electrical hookups. Two shower buildings and a sanitary dump station are available. A limited number of walk in sites are available for primitive campers, but several campsites can be reserved by writing the site or by applying in person. For more information go to: https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.kickapoo.html or call 217-442-4915

BOILER UP on Saturday, October 24 at the 15th Annual Purdue Boilermaker Half-Marathon & 5k, Presented by the Franciscan OrthoIndy Surgery Center! Join the crowd of 5,000+ competitors at this classic event outside of Ross-Ade Stadium, the home for Purdue football!

The thrilling half-marathon course travels through the gorgeous Purdue University Campus and parts of West Lafayette! While the 5k sticks to the beautiful campus!

As always, Purdue students and active/retired Military members get $5.00 off their entry!