Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run
- Date
- July 4, 2026
- Location
- Kirby Avenue, Champaign, IL
- Distance
- Youth Run · 5K Run · 5K Walk
From the Organizer
The Youth Run course will be along Kirby Avenue.
The 5K Run/Walk course is an out and back. It starts and finishes on Kirby Avenue between the State Farm Center and Gies Memorial Stadium. The race heads east on Kirby/Florida Avenues, north on Lincoln Avenue to approximately West California Avenue and back to the finish line on Kirby Avenue. There will be two water stations. All proceeds go to support the Champaign County Freedom Celebration.
- Packet pick-up will be at the following locations, days, and times:
- Body 'n Sole Sports, 1317 N. Dunlap Avenue, Savoy, IL on Friday, July 3rd from Noon to 6:00 PM.
- Start and finish area (between Gies Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center) Saturday, July 4th starting at 7:15 AM - 8:45 A.
- Registration is through this website ONLY and will end promptly at 8:45 AM on July 4th.
- There will be no paper sign-up.
- No cash or checks will be accepted at any time. Payment through website only.
- Awards will be presented to the overall male and female winners, and to the top three male and female finishers in the following age groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over and the top 5 walkers. THE WINNER OR A FRIEND MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD WHEN THEY ARE ANNOUNCED. THE AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED OR DELIVERED.
- Race day parking will be on the EAST SIDE of State Farm Center, Lots E5 and F5. Enter and exit the parking area from Fourth St.
- For the Youth run an adult will be allowed to run with each youth. The adult does NOT have to register for this event.
- The Youth Run is a fun run, no bibs will be given and no packet pick up is needed.
- To purchase a shirt, you must register by midnight June 24th and pay the additional fee. No additional shirts will be available.
- There will be a price increase on June 25th.
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
85°
Typical Low
65°
Chance of Rain
35%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Champaign 3s, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Champaign, IL
Population
88,822
as of 2023
Elevation
761 ft
Nearest Airport
CMI
University of Illinois Willard Airport · 5 mi
Major Hub
IND
Indianapolis International Airport · 109 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 Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
26
Days to train
- Race
- Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run
- Date
- July 4, 2026
- Location
- Kirby Avenue, Champaign, IL
Coming Up
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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.
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.
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 Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run?
- Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run is a running race held in Champaign, Illinois on July 4, 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 Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run?
- Saturday, July 4, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois at Kirby Avenue, Champaign, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Freedom Celebration 5K Race and Youth Run
Jul 4, 2026