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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K & BrewFest Combo Pack | 5K | Oct 3, 202612:00 PM | $80$85 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| BrewFest Only (No 5K) | 5K | Oct 3, 202612:30 PM | $65$70 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
| Designated Driver (BrewFest Only - No Beer) | – | Oct 3, 202612:30 PM | $15$20 after Oct 3, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 5K fee goes up to $85 on Oct 3, 2026.
Online registration closes Oct 3, 2026, unless the race fills first.
At $80, entry is about 129 percent above a typical 5K in Illinois, which costs $35 right now.
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.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:50 AM, and the 5K & BrewFest Combo Pack starts at 12:00 PM. The start sits about 800 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Mount Saint Mary Park, St. Charles, IL 60174
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Aggregated from official results for Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest Presented by 93 Octane Brewery 2026. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 30:13 or better, the top quarter in 38:17, and half the field in 53:05; the last tenth came in after 1:05:49.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 33:21 | 37:46 |
| 30-39 | 27:23 | 22:39 |
| 40-49 | 26:04 | 23:23 |
| 50-59 | 35:19 | 31:31 |
| 60-69 | 49:54 | 35:15 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Up 7 percent since 2022.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2022 to 2025, the field went from 298 to 319 finishers, and the median time rose from 34:08 to 53:05.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 319 (-38%) | 53:05 | under 30:13 | 19:48 |
| 2023 | 514 (+72%) | 48:43 | under 30:32 | 19:11 |
| 2022 | 298 | 34:08 | under 26:15 | 20:23 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
Slower than most Illinois 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 38:17, against 28:26 in a typical Illinois 5K, so times here run 35 percent slower.
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.
Around October 3 the day usually runs from 56°F at dawn to 72°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 15% of days. Cold snaps dip to 43°F and hot years reach 82°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.
What the organizers of Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest Presented by 93 Octane Brewery 2026 cover on their registration page, in brief.
Rules and FAQ
Reminders. No one under 21 is allowed at Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest. This includes babies and strollers. All ticket types have access to the BrewFest including Combo Pack, BrewFest Only, and Designated Driver. Packet Pick-Up is MANDATORY…
Rules and FAQ
Invite your friends to join you at the Hops for Hope 5K & BrewFest. If you get 5 friends to sign up using your special referral link, you will receive a refund of up to $15.00 as our Thank You! Your referral link will be in your…
The cause
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Organize this race? Add details or a correction
A Beer 5K & St. Charles BrewFest
Hops for Hope is not your typical 5K. It is a race and a celebration all in one!
Named one of the Top 100 Races in America by BibRave, our certified and professionally timed 5K welcomes everyone from competitive runners chasing a PR to walkers who simply love great craft beer. However you pace yourself, this event is for you.
The race begins at the scenic Mount Saint Mary Park in St. Charles, winds along the beautiful river path toward Geneva through Wheeler Park, and finishes back at Mount Saint Mary Park just in time for the BrewFest celebration.
The Twist? Beer on the Course.