Sweet Ride | Bike • Run • Walk 2026
- Date
- Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Willow Springs, Illinois
- Entry fee
- From $30
- Included with entry
- Includes a shirt
Registration is open.
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Ride 65K Bike | Ultra | Oct 3, 20269:00 AM | $50 | – |
| Sweet Ride 40K Bike | Other | Oct 3, 20269:30 AM | $50 | – |
| Sweet Ride 5K Run/Walk | 5K | Oct 3, 202610:00 AM | $30 | 200 |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- Sweet Ride 65K Bike and Sweet Ride 40K Bike: $50 until Oct 2.
- Sweet Ride 5K Run/Walk: $30 until Oct 2.
Online registration closes Oct 2, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $30, entry is about 14 percent below 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 6:48 AM, and the Sweet Ride 65K Bike starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 710 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
John Husar I.M. Canal Yellow Trail, Willow Springs, IL 60480
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 3 the day usually runs from 57°F at dawn to 72°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 13% 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.
Race details
- Where
- John Husar I.M. Canal Yellow Trail, Willow Springs, IL 60480Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 710 feet
- Included with entry
- T-Shirt
- Distances
- 5K, Ultra, Other
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 3, 2026), 2025 (Oct 4, 2025), 2024 (Oct 5, 2024), 2023 (Oct 7, 2023), 2022 (Oct 1, 2022), 2021 (Sep 18, 2021)
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Quick answers
- When is Sweet Ride | Bike • Run • Walk?
- Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $30 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 2, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Illinois?
- At $30, entry is about 14 percent below 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.
- What distances can I run?
- 5K, Ultra, Other.
- Where does it start?
- John Husar I.M. Canal Yellow Trail, Willow Springs, IL 60480.
From the organizers
Get out of the city and join us for a bike ride or run along the Des Plaines river in Willow Springs. We have distances for everyone. Choose between a 40k or 65k bike ride or a 5k fun run/walk. Experience the camaraderie and community of people coming together for a cause to better diabetes care in the greater Chicago area. All proceeds will go directly to our mission to transform diabetes care and research in Chicago.
COURSE MAPS All event maps can be found here. Athletes are responsible for having and knowing the course route for their event. There will be signs on course to help guide but ultimately it is the athletes responsibility.