
From the Organizer
Get ready to run, laugh, and chase the cheese! 🧀🏃♀️ We’re thrilled to bring back our fifth annual Cheese Chase Race—and it’s going to be bigger and more fun than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just in it for the smiles, this event is packed with friendly competition, great vibes, and plenty of cheesy goodness. Grab your crew and don’t miss out on one of the most fun-filled days of the Cheese Days celebration!
No matter your pace—run, walk, skip, or even crawl—we want YOU at the starting line! 🧀 The Elgin EMS Cheese Chase 5K/1K returns Saturday, June 20 at 9:00 AM during Elgin Cheese Days. It’s a morning full of fun, smiles, and community pride, all in support of Elgin EMS. Bring your family, bring your friends, and get ready for a gouda time!
NEW THIS YEAR:
Epic Prize Categories! Get ready to amp up the excitement with three incredible prize categories that will take our event to the next level!
Don't miss your chance to compete, have fun, and potentially take home bragging rights and awesome prizes!
Get Ready to Make Your Race Bib LEGENDARY! Our epic race bib station is your canvas for creativity and inspiration! Customize your bib like never before and turn your race day into an unforgettable personal statement. Want to honor a loved one? Showcase your team spirit? Or add a motivational quote that'll make you run faster? We've got you covered!
Design your ultimate race bib with our interactive station packed with awesome stickers, markers, and personalization options. Make your bib a reflection of your passion, your journey, and your incredible racing spirit. From heartfelt tributes to hilarious personal challenges, your race bib will be as unique as YOU!
Your race bib isn't just a number – it's your story, your moment, your celebration! Let's make race day extraordinary!
Personalize Your Event Shirt! 🎉 We're offering an awesome custom printing station from 8-10AM where you can make your shirt uniquely yours! Choose from exciting options like:
Transform your race shirt into a one-of-a-kind memento! Prices range from just $5-$20, depending on your customization. Pro tip: Bring cash and get ready to add some personal flair to your event gear! 🇺🇸✨
We have some fun things we will be stuffing your race bags with this year! Sign up fast to lock in your goodie bag along with your T-shirt or Tank! By signing up before June 5th, you will be guaranteed SWAG!
Race Registration Prices:
Adults: $30
Youth 0-18: $10
Spring Chickens 65 & up: $20
Cheese Lovers Unite! Epic post-race cheese celebration awaits! 🧀 Get ready for a flavor explosion after crossing that finish line! 🏃♀️🏃♂️
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
81°
Typical Low
58°
Chance of Rain
36%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Theilman 1ssw, 10 mi from the venue.
Host City
Nearest Airport
RST
Rochester International Airport · 20 mi
Major Hub
MSP
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field · 70 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Elgin EMS Cheese Chase 5K/1K, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
Treat Trot Rochester
13 miles away
Heatwave Half Marathon - Rochester
13 miles away
Summer Sizzler- Rochester
13 miles away
Golden Harvest Half Marathon & 5k/10k - Rochester
13 miles 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)
Elgin EMS Cheese Chase 5K/1K
Jun 20, 2026