
From the Organizer
Cantigny (pronounced "Can - Tee - Knee")
Cantigny is the former home of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor, and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The 500-acre estate features gardens, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum, and a 27-hole championship public golf course. 5K participants and their families are invited to explore and enjoy Cantigny.
Cantigny 5K Run/Walk 2025
The Cantigny 5K Run/Walk is a benefit for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, and registrants may enjoy access to Cantigny for the rest of the afternoon.
The course tours the grounds of Cantigny and Cantigny Golf. Participants will run past Cantigny’s Gardens, the Robert R. McCormick House, and the First Division Museum. Please note that due to construction at Cantigny Golf, the course will be modified this year. Digital clocks or timers will be located at mile markers. Water stations will be set up at the halfway mark and at the start/finish line.
Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
All proceeds from the Cantigny 5K Run/Walk will benefit the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton, IL. The shelter is a not-for-profit transitional living facility that provides assistance to U.S. veterans of any era, the opportunity to return to useful and productive lives by providing them with the skills for independent living.
Registration Fees
5K chip-timed race (price is for any runner or walker of any age who plans to participate)
$25 through July 1
$30 July 2 - September 19
$35 September 20 - October 15
$40 October 16 - October 17 (Must register in person)
1-Mile Run (non-chipped, for ages 6-10)
$5
1/4-Mile Run (non-chipped, for ages 0-5)
$5
Race Schedule
Friday, October 17, 2025
11 am - 7 pm: Early packet pick-up, Visitors Center
Saturday, October 18, 2025
7 am - 8:45 am: Packet Pick-up, Visitors Center
7:30 am – 12:30 pm: American Legion Pancake Breakfast
9 am: 5K Run/Walk Start
10 am: 5K Awards Ceremony, followed by 1-mile and ¼-mile runs
Your disposable timing chip will be included with your packet and attached to the back of your bib number.
The parking fee will be waived for registered participants picking up their packets.
Award Ceremony
At approximately 10 am, outside in the South Lot, near the finish line, the awards will be presented to the top three male and female overall finishers.
The top three male and female overall finishers for the 1-Mile and 1/4-Mile runs will also receive an award immediately following the end of each race.
Awards will be given only to registered runners with a valid chip. The official race results provided by Mattoon Multisport will be used for overall and age group rankings.
Parking
Ample free parking for race participants and volunteers is available close to the Visitors Center and the finish line, so participants can leave gear in their car.
Cantigny's Website
For further up-to-date information on the 5K Run/Walk or on Cantigny, please visit our website at Cantigny.org.
Volunteers
Volunteers are needed and welcome to assist with registration, packet pickup, refreshments, course marshals, and water stops. If you are interested, please contact Liz Omura at lomura@cantigny.org.
American Legion Pancake Breakfast
7:30 am – 12:30 pm in Le Jardin
$12 (ages 13 and up)
$5 (ages 5 – 12)
Free for children 4 and under
Tickets to the pancake breakfast may be purchased during packet pick up on October 18th at a discounted rate of $10 per adult.
Additional Information
For additional event information, visit Cantigny.org, email Brian Gray at bgray@cantigny.org, or by phone during regular office hours at 630.260.8167.
Bicycles, Strollers, Etc.
Bicycles, in-line skates, roller skates, scooters, other wheeled vehicles (except wheelchairs), and dogs are not allowed on the course, will not be allowed through the finish chutes, and will not be included in the results. Runners with baby strollers may not run competitively and must start after and remain behind runners for the entire race.
Events
Weather
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
62°
Typical Low
40°
Based on US Climate Normals data from Lisle-Morton Arboretum, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
53,453
as of 2023
Elevation
771 ft
Nearest Airport
ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 13 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
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Cantigny 5K Run/Walk 2026 - Benefiting The Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
131
Days to train
Coming Up
Chicagoland SCADaddle 5K Walk & Run for Research
Less than a mile away
College of DuPage 5k & Track Fest
2 miles away
Naperville Trails Half Marathon & 10K
Less than a mile away
DuPagePads Rock & Bowl
Less than a mile away
From Endurance Grid
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.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
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)
Cantigny 5K Run/Walk 2026 - Benefiting The Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans
Oct 17, 2026