Footsteps for Families: 5k, Walk & Kids Run 2027
- Date
- Saturday, April 10, 2027
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Machesney Park, Illinois
- Entry fee
- From Free · goes up to $45 on Mar 6, 2027
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K Competitive Race | 5K | Apr 10, 20279:00 AM | $40$45 after Mar 6, 2027 | – |
| 5k Walk (untimed) | 1 Mile | Apr 10, 20279:15 AM | $30$35 after Mar 6, 2027 | – |
| Kid's Fun Run/Walk (100 meters, on the track & FREE) | Kids | Apr 10, 202710:00 AM | Free | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 5K Competitive Race: $40 until Mar 6, then $45 until Mar 26, then $50 until Apr 10.
- 5k Walk (untimed): $30 until Mar 6, then $35 until Mar 26, then $40 until Apr 10.
- Kid's Fun Run/Walk (100 meters, on the track & FREE): Free until Apr 10.
Online registration closes Apr 10, 2027, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $40, entry is about 14 percent above a typical 5K in Illinois, which costs $35 right now.
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a 5K in Illinois runs 35:55, about 11:34 a mile, based on 426 races with published results. Women typically finish in 40:13 and men in 31:16.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:24 AM, and the 5K Competitive Race starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 730 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
1 Huskie Circle, Machesney Park, IL 61115
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.
2026 results
All results (2 years)Aggregated from official results (Michael Nigliaccio) for Footsteps for Families: 5k, Walk & Kids Run. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Footsteps for Families: 5k, Walk & Kids Run?
In 2026, the fastest tenth finished in 22:57 or better, the top quarter in 24:44, and half the field in 27:38; the last tenth came in after 39:54.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 31:13 | 22:57 |
| 20-29 | 26:10 | 24:12 |
| 30-39 | 26:15 | 25:42 |
| 40-49 | 30:48 | 25:56 |
| 50-59 | n/a | 25:50 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2026.
Finishers by year
Down 23 percent since 2025.
All events combined, from official results.
Footsteps for Families: 5k, Walk & Kids Run 5K year by year
From 2025 to 2026, the field went from 78 to 68 finishers, and the median time dropped from 33:01 to 27:38.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 68 (-13%) | 27:38 | under 22:57 | 16:16 |
| 2025 | 78 | 33:01 | under 22:46 | 18:08 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
How fast is it?
Faster than most Illinois 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 24:44, against 28:26 in a typical Illinois 5K, so times here run 13 percent faster.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around April 10 the day usually runs from 38°F at dawn to 57°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 36% of days. Cold snaps dip to 29°F and hot years reach 75°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 1 Huskie Circle, Machesney Park, IL 61115Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 730 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 1 Mile, 5K, Kids
- Editions
- 2027 (Apr 10, 2027), 2026 (Mar 28, 2026), 2025 (Mar 15, 2025)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Footsteps for Families: 5k, Walk & Kids Run?
- Saturday, April 10, 2027, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at Free before processing fees, and rises to $45 on Mar 6, 2027.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Apr 10, 2027, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Illinois?
- At $40, entry is about 14 percent above a typical 5K in Illinois, which costs $35 right now.
- Do runners get a shirt or medal?
- Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 1 Mile, 5K, Kids.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2026, 68 runners finished the 5K Competitive Race; the median finish was 27:38 and the winner ran 16:16.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2026 5K field finished under 24:44, against 28:26 in a typical Illinois 5K, so times here run 13 percent faster.
- Where does it start?
- 1 Huskie Circle, Machesney Park, IL 61115.
- Is there a course map?
- Yes, the organizers publish the route on google.com; the link is under Start location and course.
From the organizers
2nd Annual Footsteps for Families!
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL 61115
5K Run/Walk, Kids Fun Run & Family Fun Day!
Take Steps to End Child Abuse, Keep Children Safe & Families Together! This event serves as both an awareness and promotional opportunity for Safe Families for Children.
5K Run
A timed race for runners of all ages and abilities.
Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age category (categories TBA)
Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers. (1st $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50)
Walk Non-Competitive (not timed)
Walk for families/participants.
Kids Fun Run/Walk (100 meters, FREE)