
From the Organizer
Lace up and hit the trails for the Lake Land College 5K, a unique cross-country race experience winding through the scenic grounds of Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois! Unlike your typical road race, this off-road 5K challenges runners/walkers with rolling hills, grassy fields, wooded paths, and the natural beauty of our campus—all while introducing the community to the newly-formed Lake Land College Cross Country Team.
Whether you're a seasoned trail runner or looking for your first taste of cross-country, this event offers a fun and welcoming atmosphere for all ages and fitness levels. Come explore the heart of campus, support our student-athletes, and enjoy a race that’s anything but ordinary.
Why Run the Lake Land College 5K?
Experience a genuine cross-country course—not pavement!
Celebrate year two of Lake Land’s cross country program
Enjoy the vibrant college atmosphere and beautiful campus scenery
Date: August 1st, 2026
Time: 8 am race start
Location: Lake Land College Campus – Mattoon, IL
Packet Pickup is located in the Field House (basketball arena) at Lake Land College from 6:30 am-7:30 am
Participants/Fans can park in Lot A or B
Join us and be a part of something new. Run the land. Blaze the trail.
T-shirt Link: https://mainstreetshirtcompany.com/collections/lakeland-college-2026-5k-run-walk
T-shirt QR Code:
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
86°
Typical Low
67°
Chance of Rain
26%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Mattoon, 1 mi from the venue.
Host City
Population
16,334
as of 2023
Elevation
728 ft
Nearest Airport
DEC
Decatur Airport · 36 mi
Major Hub
IND
Indianapolis International Airport · 112 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 Lake Land College 5k, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
Tour De Charleston - 10th Annual
11 miles away
Sullivan Dash & Bash
14 miles away
Mattoon Knights of Columbus Race the Cross
Less than a mile away
Run for the Bagel
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)
Lake Land College 5k
Aug 1, 2026