Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K
- Date
- October 24, 2026
- Distance
- 5k Adult (19 & Over) · 5k Student (18 & Under) · 10k Adult (19 & Over) & more
From the Organizer
Batavia United Way is pleased to announce the 13th annual Bat Race 5K/10K on October 24, 2026, beginning at River and State Street in downtown Batavia at 8:15 a.m. This chip-timed event along the beautiful Fox River Bike Path has drawn runners and walkers to our lovely town from 30 surrounding zip codes for 10 years.
This event has something for all ability levels, whether you are a walker or a runner: 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run.
Race awards will be given for the top three finishers male and female for 5K and 10K. All participants will receive a finishing medal.
Packet pick-up information will be available in September.
Race day brings all sorts of fun - from food, snacks, costumes, more!
What's a Halloween-themed race without costumes?! We encourage (but not require) you to wear costumes. We will be awarding prizes in various categories (e.g., Best Group Costume, Best Duo Costume, Best Adult Male Costume, Best Adult Female Costume, Best Child Costume) for those who want to participate in the costume contest. You can register at the information booth the morning of the race to be eligible for prizes.
Without supporters like you, we would not be able to provide assistance to over 20 local agencies or run the in-house programs such as our Success-by-6 preschool scholarships, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Adopt-A-Family holiday program, and more. Thank you and enjoy the festivities!
With gratitude, The Batavia United Way Race Committee
Events
Weather
Typical Conditions
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
59°
Typical Low
39°
Chance of Rain
32%
Based on US Climate Normals data from West Chicago Dupage Ap, 4 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Batavia, IL
Population
26,730
as of 2023
Elevation
675 ft
Nearest Airport
ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 23 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A mid-size host city. Enough lodging and amenities to keep race weekend easy, without big-city sprawl.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
138
Days to train
- Race
- Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K
- Date
- October 24, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Batavia, IL
Fox Valley Summer XC Classic 5K
5K
3 miles away
Treat Trot Greater Chicago
6 miles away
Run for the Dogs 5k - Aurora
5K
6 miles away
MMTT Splash and Dash - Geneva
Youth
3 miles away
From Endurance Grid
About This Sport
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
The 10K is the distance where running stops feeling like a starting point and starts feeling like a sport. Long enough to require a real training block. Short enough that race day is fully manageable for a first-timer who's put in the work.
Race day energy at a 10K is community at its best — strangers cheering you by name, people moving toward the same goal, an atmosphere that solo training can't replicate. It's fast enough that you'll spend the whole race pushing rather than managing your effort.
This is also the distance that builds the base for everything else. Most athletes who go on to run half marathons, do triathlons, or compete in HYROX started here. What you need: running shoes fitted to your stride, a training plan, and the race on your calendar. The registration is what makes the deadline real.
How long to train: 4–8 weeks for most fitness levels.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K?
- Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K is a running race held in Batavia, Illinois on October 24, 2026. It is one of the many endurance events listed on Endurance Grid, a multi-sport endurance event calendar covering running races, triathlons, HYROX, and more endurance sports across the United States. Find more running races near you or explore our sports guides to learn what race day actually feels like.
- When and where is the Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K?
- Saturday, October 24, 2026 in Batavia, Illinois at 31 North River Street, Batavia, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Batavia United Way Bat Race 5K & 10K
Oct 24, 2026