Galena 5k Stair Challenge
- Date
- September 12, 2026
- Distance
- 1 Lap Fun Run/Walk · 5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge Race · 5K Stair Challenge Active Duty First Responders
From the Organizer
Join us in beautiful, historic Galena IL for The Galena 5K Stair Challenge! Now hosted by The Galena Area EMS District, The Galena Police Department and The Galena Fire Department
This event honors the heroes of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this tragic event and celebrates our local first responders past and present
Bring the family! The Galena Generals, Jo Daviess County Mounted Patrol, Area First Responder demonstrations, food and treat vendors will join us at Green Street Plaza during and after the event.
Non competitive run/walk/climb-1Lap
Competitive 7 Lap professionally timed with various divisions by age and gender.
Registration for this event is online only!
1-Lap Fun Run/Walk
- Start time 9:00 a.m.
- Fee: NEW! April Early Bird $30, May $35, June and July $40, August to event $40 (t-shirt and medal included!)
- Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 am
- Mass start; not timed
5K 7-Lap Stair Challenge Race and Active Duty First Responders
- Start time 9:15 a.m.
- Fee: NEW! April Early Bird $30 for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners (includes T-shirt and medal!)
- May $35, for Active First Responders and 7-Lap Runners
- June to Event $45 for 7-Lap Runners
- Race Day in person registration closes at 9:00 am
- Maximum of 200 athletes accepted
- Chip timing
Waves will be formed (first five registered, first wave; next five registered, second wave, etc.). Waves will start every minute. Participants will be notified of their wave start time via email prior to the race date.
Course closes at 12:00 noon
Fundraiser Challenge
All participants are encouraged to raise at least $50 in donations to support Galena-based first responders.
Share your unique URL to family and friends and invite them to donate to your registration or team.
The top three individual fundraisers will receive special prizes!
Event T-shirt Sizes (performance fabric)
Youth: small, medium, large
Adult: small, medium, large, extra-large, 1X, 2X
Age Groups (Male and Female)
14 and under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
Race Registration will be online only beginning March 20, 2026
Maximum of 200 timed participants (no limit to fun run/walk participants)
Registrations will CLOSE when race filled or at midnight on September 11, whichever comes first
Registrations after August 31, 2026 will NOT be guaranteed a T-shirt
Event Staging Areas:
Green Street Plaza near City Hall and Post Office/Custom House
Packet pickup:
NEW! Friday, September 11, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at the Galena Area Emergency Medical Services District Station, 217 Summit Street, Galena, Illinois.
Saturday morning Green Street Plaza and the Post Office/Custom House from 8:00 am to 9:00 a.m.
- 8:15 a.m. Saturday: Opening Ceremony
- Closing and Medal Ceremony following race at Green Street Square
- Award Ceremony at race conclusion
Starting Line at Bench Street staging area
Volunteers will queue waves here in numerical order after escorting them from Green Street Plaza
Lap Notification/Finish Line on Bench Street
Bib numbers will trigger a visual record of each participant’s lap number.
Lap 7 finishers recovery area with water
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
76°
Typical Low
52°
Chance of Rain
31%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Galena, 2 mi from the venue.
Host City
About Galena, IL
Population
2,899
as of 2023
Elevation
601 ft
Nearest Airport
DBQ
Dubuque Regional Airport · 15 mi
Major Hub
ORD
Chicago O'Hare International Airport · 132 mi
Time Zone
Central Time
From Endurance Grid
A small town race. Lodging near the start could be limited, so book early.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
What Are You
Waiting For?
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at Galena 5k Stair Challenge, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
96
Days to train
- Race
- Galena 5k Stair Challenge
- Date
- September 12, 2026
Coming Up
More Running races near Galena, IL
Timber City Adventure Race- Kayak or Canoe/Bike/Run
27 miles away
4th of July Farmers Market 5K
5K
31 miles away
Stockton 5k / 10k
10K · 5K
21 miles away
Brian Galusha Memorial Run/Walk
22 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.
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 Galena 5k Stair Challenge?
- Galena 5k Stair Challenge is a running race held in Galena, Illinois on September 12, 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 Galena 5k Stair Challenge?
- Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Galena, Illinois at Green Street Plaza, Galena, Illinois, Galena, IL. Check the event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the Galena 5k Stair Challenge?
- Registration is handled through the event's registration page. Confirm pricing and distances there, and sign up.
Galena 5k Stair Challenge
Sep 12, 2026