Saturday, September 21

Race start: 8:30 a.m.

River Park, 5100 N Francisco Ave, Chicago

 

Register to Run, Walk or Roll 

Early Bird tickets til June 10: $38 per person

Regular tickets: $45 per person      

Day-of tickets: $50 per person

Guided Nature Walk and Fest tickets: $20 per person

 

Apply to Captain a Spirit Team

Sponsor the Race

 

Celebrate the river’s renaissance by traversing this river trail with hundreds of fellow runners and revelers at the Race for the River 5K. Based at River Park, join Friends of the Chicago River in exploring the North Shore Channel trail and recent river-edge improvements that expand the health and climate resiliency of the Chicago-Calumet River system and support equitable, open access for all.  

Run, walk or roll into your morning at either the timed 5K along the North Shore Channel or a guided nature walk around River and Ronan Parks. Then stick around for the after-party for drinks, snacks, learning and fun with Friends and community partners. Family-friendly.

All event registrations include a commemorative shirt and free beverage ticket. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Chicago River in working to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife. 

 

Packet pick up and race day registration starts at 7:00 a.m.

Race day registration will close by 7:45 a.m. or earlier if sold out

Race starts at 8:30 a.m.

Guided nature walks start at 8:45 a.m.

After-party festival from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

 

Following the race, join us for the after-party to engage in fun river-centric activities, enjoy drinks and snacks, and connect with community organizations. Family- and pet-friendly, all are welcome.

Local community groups are welcome to table or support the event. Please reach out to Maggie Walker, Events Coordinator, at mwalker@chicagoriver.org.

Check out more details on our FAQ page here. 

 

Apply to Captain a Spirit Team

Friends invites you to lead a spirit team of up to eight participating people to raise funds for their race in support of Friends. Spirit teams are responsible for fundraising $1,600 on behalf of Friends by September 30, 2024. We appreciate your energy, your support, and your good spirit. Learn more by clicking the link here.

 

Sponsor the Race

Friends of the Chicago River is deeply grateful to the 2024 Race for the River 5K sponsors and partners who make this event and so much more of our critical work possible. We could not do it without their financial contributions and support of our work to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife. Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and partners. If you are interested in learning more about how to be a sponsor please contact Becky Lyons, Director of Equity and Engagement, at blyons@chicagoriver.org.