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| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volunteer | – | Nov 7, 20267:00 AM | Free | – |
| Kids Fun Run - Free for kids 10 & under | Kids | Nov 7, 20269:30 AM | Free | – |
| Kids 5K (Children 17 and under) | 5K | Nov 7, 202610:00 AM | $15 | – |
| Veterans 5k Ruck | 5K | Nov 7, 202610:00 AM | $35 | – |
| Veterans 5K Run & Walk | 5K | Nov 7, 202610:00 AM | $35 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Online registration closes Nov 7, 2026, unless the race fills first.
At $15, entry is about 57 percent below a typical 5K in Illinois, which costs $35 right now.
A typical finisher at a 5K in Rockford runs 35:06, about 11:18 a mile, based on 6 races with published results. Women typically finish in 38:51 and men in 30:56.
Sunrise on race morning is at about 6:35 AM, and the Volunteer starts at 7:00 AM. The start sits about 870 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61114
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 Veterans 5K Run & Walk presented by ELDRIDGE ROOFING. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
At the 2025 Veterans 5K Run & Walk, the fastest tenth finished in 23:39 or better, the top quarter in 28:11, and half the field in 35:06; the last tenth came in after 56:05.
At the 2025 Veterans 5k Ruck, the fastest tenth finished in 37:39 or better, the top quarter in 42:51, and half the field in 49:03; the last tenth came in after 53:48.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | 27:08 | 19:26 |
| 20-29 | 24:21 | 21:48 |
| 30-39 | 23:13 | 19:39 |
| 40-49 | 26:20 | 18:21 |
| 50-59 | 26:13 | 20:24 |
| 60-69 | 27:09 | 23:28 |
| 70+ | 44:25 | 30:52 |
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.
About the same size since 2021.
All events combined, from official results.
From 2021 to 2025, the field went from 528 to 518 finishers, and the median time rose from 33:37 to 35:06.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 518 (+15%) | 35:06 | under 23:39 | 17:32 |
| 2024 | 449 (same) | 34:13 | under 24:12 | 18:13 |
| 2023 | 451 (+4%) | 34:52 | under 23:05 | 16:47 |
| 2022 | 432 (-18%) | 35:17 | under 24:10 | 18:15 |
| 2021 | 528 | 33:37 | under 23:18 | 16:45 |
From each year's official results for the 5K; virtual options are left out.
About average for Illinois 5Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2025 5K field finished under 28:11, against 28:26 in a typical Illinois 5K, so times here are about average.
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 November 7 the day usually runs from 37°F at dawn to 54°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 17% of days. Cold snaps dip to 27°F and hot years reach 67°F.
Based on 70 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 Veterans 5K Run & Walk presented by ELDRIDGE ROOFING cover on their registration page, in brief.
Schedule and packet pickup
REGISTRATION NOTES - IMPORTANT. There is No day of event registration or registration after online registration closes! Online registration for all events closes on Friday, November 6th, 2026, at 11:59pm - sorry, no exceptions.
Shirt and medal
The "wall shirt" is a unique opportunity to memorialize the Veterans who are no longer with us or who are currently keeping us safe. We have 10 spots available on the back of our shirts at $100 each. Their name and branch will be listed…
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
5K Run & Walk:
A 5K Run/Walk to Benefit the Veterans Drop-In Center in Rockford, IL. This is our 14th annual run and will, again, be held at Rock Valley College. This run is USATF certified (IL26022NM) and is a 2026 RRR Circuit Race. See more information about the RRR Circuit at www.rockfordroadrunners.org
5k Ruck Division:
This is a 5k Ruck. This event starts at the same time as the 5k. It requires the participant to carry a rucksack (aka. backpack) for the entire 5k distance.
If you weigh > 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 20 lb.
If you weigh < 150 lbs = your Ruck should weigh 10 lb.