The nonprofit Chicago Parks Foundation (CPF) welcomes Chicagoans of all ages and skill levels to participate in its inaugural Run for the Parks! 5K Run, Walk, or Roll along Chicago’s iconic Lakefront Trail at Burnham Park (3100 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive), Sunday, September 10, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. This new annual event celebrates Chicago Parks Foundation’s 10th year of helping communities raise funds for their park projects and programs and is proudly sponsored by Chicago-based Banner Wholesale Grocers.
The timed out-and-back Run for the Parks! 5K Run, Walk, or Roll course starts and finishes just south of 31st Street Beach on the Lakefront Trail within Burnham Park. The 3.12-mile-long course welcomes runners, walkers, and manual wheelchairs; it is not suited for bicycles, handcycles, or rollerblades. And to accommodate those with accessibility needs, the Chicago Parks Foundation is thrilled to partner with Achilles International Chicago.
Following the 5K, a festive post-party commences at 8:30 a.m. for both participants and the public, offering a pancake breakfast, refreshments, a DJ, and more. Plus, all are encouraged to take an optional leisurely nature walk at one’s own pace along the beautiful Burnham Wildlife Corridor, located just west of the Lakefront Trail course; a great option for kids, family and friends supporting the 5K participants.
Run for the Parks! 5K Run, Walk, or Roll is set to be one of the Chicago Parks Foundation’s annual events encouraging a collective community celebration of Chicago’s parks.
“After a decade of working closely with our communities, the CPF looks forward to bringing more park ideas to action by amping up our fundraising efforts through new signature events like this 5K. We chose this special lakefront location within Burnham Park to spotlight one of the city’s many ‘hidden gems’ among our incredible 600+ parks. Whether running, walking, or watching, we invite all to come out and show their Park Pride,” said Willa Iglitzen Lang, Executive Director, Chicago Parks Foundation.
The Chicago Parks Foundation is proud to partner with Banner Wholesale Grocers, a fourth-generation Chicago family business specializing in American and Hispanic products for the independent grocer since 1926.
“We appreciate this opportunity to give back to the city that has supported our family-owned business for nearly 100 years and are grateful for the green space that Chicago parks provide,” said Banner Wholesale Grocers President Richard Saltzman.
Registration for the Run for the Parks! 5K Run, Walk, or Roll is now underway: $40 entry fee, which includes a commemorative t-shirt and post-party ticket; $20 for the post-party only. Children under the age of 12 are invited to attend the post-race party for free. Spectators welcome. For more information and registration, visit https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.org/run.
About the Chicago Parks Foundation
For the past decade, the Chicago Parks Foundation (CPF) has served as the 501c3 nonprofit partner of the Chicago parks. The CPF answers the call with positive, productive park energy! CPF includes helping communities raise funds for their park projects and programs, leading the first citywide park clean-up volunteer initiative, managing over $20 million in grants for the Chicago Park District, coordinating donor-funded park improvement projects, and providing park connected programs to Chicago’s youth via community-based organizations. Learn more about CPF here.