2 events in Grayslake, Illinois

Celebrating 35 Years of Community, Fitness, and Fun - Family 5K Race & Fun Run

Event: 35th Annual Grayslake Family 5K Race & Fun Run

Host: Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Start Time: 8 AM CST

Location: Center Street & Seymour Avenue - Grayslake, Illinois

Join us for the 35th Annual Grayslake Family 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, July 11, a beloved community tradition hosted by the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce. For more than three decades, this event has brought together runners, walkers, families, and neighbors to celebrate health, local pride, and community connection. Proceeds benefit student scholarships at local high schools.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best, walking with friends and family, or cheering from the sidelines, the Grayslake 5K is designed for all ages and ability levels making it one of Grayslake’s most anticipated annual events. We're so honored to welcome U.S. Olympian Jenny Spangler at this year's race. Jenny will be available for photos, autographs, and meet-and-greets on July 11.

Event Highlights

• Race shirts guaranteed for the first 300 pre-registered participants

• Post-race refreshments for all participants

• Professional ChampionChip timing for all 5K finishers

• Kids Fun Run includes shirts, ribbons, and refreshments

• Start & finish line on Center Street in downtown Grayslake

• Course map available at grayslakechamber.com

• Meet Olympic Marathon Trials Champion Jenny Spangler!

Special Guest: Olympian Jenny Spangler!

Meet 1996 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Champion Jenny Spangler at the Grayslake 5K on July 11. Jenny will be available for photos, autographs, and meet-and-greets. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet one of America’s most accomplished distance runners!

Course Information

The 5K course winds through the heart of downtown Grayslake, offering a scenic, energetic route supported by volunteers and local spectators. The course is clearly marked and designed to be enjoyable for both competitive runners, families, and casual participants. Course map is available to view here.

5K Run & Walk

Time: 8:00 AM CST

Distance: 5K (3.1 mIles)

Cost: Early bird through June 30 - $25/runner

July 1 - July 10 - $35/runner

Kids Fun Run

Time: 7:30 AM CST

Ages: 5–8

Distance: 2-block fun run

Cost: $10 per runner

All Kids Fun Run participants receive:

• Event t-shirt

• Participation ribbon

• Post-race refreshments

Kids get a sweet bonus too!

The first 30 kids to register will receive a FREE small cone coupon from The Freeze — and they can use it anytime!

NEW this year at the Grayslake 5K: A Grayslake-themed Photo Booth!

Snap a photo with Jenny Spangler, make a memory, and celebrate your race day with us. Just one more reason to smile on race day!

Awards

Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each category. Overall award winners will receive a Fleet Feet gift certificate, generously provided by Fleet Feet.

Overall Awards will be given to:

• Male Overall

• Female Overall

• Wheelchair Male Overall

• Wheelchair Female Overall

Age Group Awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age divisions: 9 & under, 10–12, 13–15, 16–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, and 80 & over.

Registration fees are non-refundable. No rollerblades, skates, skateboards or pets.

Packet Pickup & In-Person Registration

Race packets may be picked up at the Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce office, located on the lower level of Grayslake Village Hall (10 S. Seymour Avenue, Grayslake, Illinois) or at Fleet Feet Libertyville (406 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois). Runners who pick up their race packets during packet pick up prior to July 11 will be entered into a drawing to win a Grayslake Aquatic Center daily pool pass.

Packet Pickup Dates & Times - Grayslake Area Chamber of Commerce:

• Wednesday, July 8: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Thursday, July 9: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

• Friday, July 10: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Packet Pickup Dates & Times - Fleet Feet Libertyville:

• Thursday, July 9: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM; 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

In-person registration is available during packet pickup hours and on race day for $45/runner.

Thanks to our 5K sponsors:

Special thanks to our Family 5K Fun Run and Walk Gold Sponsors Affordable Interiors, Community Trust Credit Union, Fleet Feet, Grayslake Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy and Wellness, Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Grayslake, Old National Bank, and Orthodontic Specialists of Lake County. Thanks to our Silver Sponsors Doctors of Physical Therapy and Wisdom Teeth and Beyond Oral Surgery. Thanks to our Bronze Sponsors AKL Legal, McMahon Services, Noote Partners/Compass, and Savanna Design. We're honored to have Fleet Feet as our Official Athletic Retail Race Partner.

The GCHS Booster Club Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk will take place at Grayslake Central High School. The race starts and ends on the GCHS track. All proceeds will help support the high school athletic program financial needs throughout the year.

The top 3 Male and 3 Female finishers overall will receive trophies.

Medals will be given for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each age group category.

Register early to get your preferred shirt size; shirt size not guaranteed after October 17th. Each registrant will also receive a drawstring bag.

Packet Pickup

Walk toward the field and track from the parking lot.

The Fieldhouse doors are on the left (glass foyer) as you approach the field.

The 1st Packet Pick up will take place on the Saturday before the race from 4-6 p.m. in the school’s Field House.

The 2nd packet Pick up and race day registration will take place on race day Sunday starting at 7:30 a.m. (also in the Field House).

Late registrations will also be available on Saturday & Sunday. The race will begin at 9 a.m. on the Grayslake Central High School’s track.